Try imagining yourself in 2016. At that time, the price of Bitcoin was only around RM4,300 per unit. Not many people were talking about it, and most people were still confused about what Bitcoin really was.
Some considered it just an internet currency, some described it as a temporary trend, and some did not believe it had a future at all. If someone had told them at that time that Bitcoin would be worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit and be a hotbed for investors around the world, most likely many would not have believed it.
However, time has proven that Bitcoin is not just a trend that comes and goes. Over the next decade, this digital asset went through various colorful episodes from price spikes that created new millionaires, crashes that tested investors' patience, to a revival that surprised the market.
Some dared to take risks and enjoy lucrative returns, some sold too early for fear of the price continuing to fall, and some were just observers, wondering how they missed the opportunity. Today, Bitcoin is no longer something foreign.
It has grown to become one of the most influential digital assets in the world and continues to attract the attention of investors, large companies and financial institutions. The question is, if you were given the chance to go back to 2016, would you buy Bitcoin or would you also be one of those who chose to wait and see?
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the world's first digital currency that operates using blockchain technology. Unlike traditional money controlled by a central bank, Bitcoin works through a global network of computers that allows transactions to be made directly between users.
One of the factors that makes Bitcoin unique is its limited supply of only 21 million units. Because of this, many investors consider it “digital gold” because its supply cannot be increased at will.
2016: Still Not in the World's Eyes
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$964
In 2016, Bitcoin was still on the fringes of the financial world. Most traditional investors did not take this digital asset seriously and many considered it just a temporary trend. At that time, buying a single Bitcoin cost less than US$1,000 and only a few people truly believed in its potential.
2017: The Year That Changed Everything
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$14,156
2017 was the biggest turning point in Bitcoin history. The price skyrocketed in a year. International media outlets began reporting on individuals who became millionaires through Bitcoin investments, causing public interest to skyrocket. Bitcoin began to become a hot topic in the world of finance and technology.
2018: A Crash That Tested Investors’ Mentality
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$2,743
After a phenomenal rise, Bitcoin suffered a major crash.
Many investors who bought at high prices began to panic when the value of their investments dropped significantly. This is when many people began to declare that Bitcoin was over. However, for long-term investors, this period was a real test of their confidence.
2019: Markets Start to Recover
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$7,194
After a difficult year, the crypto market is starting to show signs of recovery. While prices are still far from their previous record highs, investor confidence is starting to return as blockchain technology continues to gain traction from companies and financial institutions.
2020: Pandemic Changes the Investment Landscape
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$29,002
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, central banks around the world are implementing various economic stimulus measures. This situation has led many investors to look for alternative assets to protect the value of their wealth. Bitcoin is starting to be seen as one of the top choices and institutional investor inflows are increasing.
2021: Bitcoin Goes Mainstream
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$46,306
In 2021, Bitcoin adoption has taken off on a larger scale. Large companies are starting to add Bitcoin to their holdings, while financial institutions are starting to offer digital asset-related products to clients. Bitcoin is no longer considered a fringe asset, but is starting to enter the global financial mainstream.
2022: Crypto Market Hit by Storm
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$16,548
2022 has been one of the most challenging years in modern crypto history.
Several major crypto companies have experienced financial crises and some have gone bankrupt. This has shaken investor confidence and caused the crypto market to plummet. However, Bitcoin has once again proven its resilience by holding on despite the market pressure.
2023: Confidence Returns
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$42,265
The market is starting to recover as concerns about the crypto sector are easing. Investors are once again paying attention to Bitcoin and seeing it as an asset with long-term potential, especially after several years of challenges.
2024: Bitcoin’s Historic Year
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$93,429
Bitcoin sets new price records as institutional investors increase their holdings in the digital asset. The participation of large investment funds has helped boost market confidence and solidify Bitcoin’s position as one of the world’s leading financial assets.
2025: Remaining Strong Despite Ups and Downs
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$87,509
Although no longer setting new records, Bitcoin has managed to maintain its value at high levels. This shows that the digital asset is maturing and being accepted by more investors around the world.
2026: Still the King of Crypto
💰 Bitcoin Price: US$67,000
Bitcoin’s price may not always soar, but it remains the world’s largest digital asset in terms of market value and influence. After a decade, Bitcoin is still one of the most talked about assets in the investment world.
Overall, a RM1,000 investment in Bitcoin in 2016 could potentially yield returns of over RM100,000 over a 10-year period. However, the journey has not been without risk as the digital asset has fallen more than 70 percent several times before recovering and reaching new highs.
