Bitcoin Quarterly Returns (%)
| Time Period | Return (%) |
|---|---|
| Q1 2013 | 599% |
| Q2 2013 | 55% |
| Q3 2013 | -34% |
| Q4 2013 | 459% |
| Q1 2014 | -36% |
| Q2 2014 | -10% |
| Q3 2014 | -20% |
| Q4 2014 | -33% |
| Q1 2015 | 23% |
| Q2 2015 | 42% |
| Q3 2015 | 16% |
| Q4 2015 | 47% |
| Q1 2016 | 10% |
👉 Discover real-time crypto market data
Ethereum Quarterly Returns (%)
| Time Period | Return (%) |
|---|---|
| Q2 2017 | 117% |
| Q3 2017 | 25% |
| Q4 2017 | 243% |
| Q1 2018 | -48% |
| Q2 2018 | -36% |
| Q3 2018 | -37% |
| Q4 2018 | -44% |
| Q1 2019 | 7% |
| Q2 2019 | 125% |
| Q3 2019 | -26% |
| Q4 2019 | -6% |
| Q1 2020 | -11% |
| Q2 2020 | 59% |
Bitcoin Monthly Returns (%)
| Month | Return (%) |
|---|---|
| Jan 2017 | 27% |
| Feb 2017 | 31% |
| Mar 2017 | 34% |
| Apr 2017 | 27% |
| May 2017 | 71% |
| Jun 2017 | 7% |
| Jul 2017 | 17% |
| Aug 2017 | 59% |
| Sep 2017 | -9% |
| Oct 2017 | 50% |
| Nov 2017 | 55% |
| Dec 2017 | 42% |
| Jan 2018 | -28% |
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin demonstrated extreme volatility with quarterly returns ranging from -48% to 599%
- Ethereum showed higher correlation with Bitcoin's performance post-2017
- December historically strongest month for Bitcoin (average +42% return)
- Q2 consistently weakest quarter for both assets
👉 Explore advanced crypto analytics tools
FAQ Section
What was Bitcoin's best performing year?
2013 remains Bitcoin's strongest year with 5,500% annual return, driven by mainstream adoption and MT.GOX exchange dominance.
How do Ethereum returns compare to Bitcoin?
Ethereum generally shows higher volatility but lower absolute returns. During bull markets, ETH often outperforms BTC (e.g., 2017 ETH returned 9,162% vs BTC's 1,318%).
Why analyze quarterly returns?
Quarterly analysis helps identify:
- Seasonal patterns
- Market cycle transitions
- Institutional investment flows that often follow fiscal quarters
When is the best time to invest in Bitcoin?
Historical data suggests October-January period delivers strongest returns, coinciding with:
- Year-end portfolio rebalancing
- Tax planning activities
- New fiscal year budget allocations
How reliable is past performance?
While history doesn't guarantee future results, 13-year data shows consistent patterns:
- 4-year halving cycles
- Post-halving price surges
- Correlation with macroeconomic liquidity conditions
What's the worst Bitcoin drawdown?
The 2018-2019 bear market saw 84% decline from peak, testing investor patience before the 2020-2021 bull run.