$1,000 in S&P 500 outperformed Bitcoin over 5 years with less risk and steadier gains.

From July 2021 to mid-2026, a $1,000 investment in the S&P 500 grew to about $1,736, slightly beating the $1,676 return from Bitcoin. While Bitcoin showed higher volatility, including a 75% crash and dramatic price swings, the S&P 500 delivered steadier growth with a maximum drawdown of around 25%. This highlights that despite Bitcoin's long-term outperformance over a decade, in the recent 5-year period, traditional stocks provided better risk-adjusted returns. Investors seeking less risk may prefer stocks over Bitcoin in the current market environment.