The Numbers (approximate, CAD)
| Asset | 10-Year Return (approx) |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin | ~100x-370x (depending on entry) |
| S&P 500 | ~3-4x |
| Canadian Real Estate | ~2-3x |
| Gold | ~1.5-2x |
| Government Bonds | ~1.1-1.2x |
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Why Has Bitcoin Outperformed?
Fixed supply in a world of infinite money printing. Since 2009, central banks globally have expanded money supply dramatically. An asset with fixed supply naturally appreciates relative to inflated currencies.
Network adoption. Bitcoin went from obscurity to institutional adoption — from zero ETFs to ETFs trading billions per day. Early-stage network effects compound dramatically.
Four-year halving cycles. Supply cuts every 4 years have historically preceded significant price appreciation.
The Risk Disclosure
Bitcoin's high returns came with:
- 50-80% drawdowns at multiple points
- Multi-year bear markets
- Exchange failures and theft risks
- Regulatory uncertainty
The investors who captured the returns held through the worst periods. Most people couldn't.
What This Means for Canadians
Bitcoin's track record justifies a place in many long-term portfolios as a diversifier — but the position size should match your ability to hold through extreme drawdowns.
Starting small ($100-$500), understanding what you own, and holding long-term has historically been the winning approach.
