thecryptobasic.com
As crypto prices continued to decline in 2026, market watchers are examining how significant investments in $XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum have fared over the past year.
Crypto commentator Henry recently shared a striking comparison of how major cryptocurrencies have performed since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025.
While his original example used a $20,000 investment, scaling the numbers to $10,000 still paints a sobering picture for holders of $XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum.
Key Points
-
$10K in $XRP at Trump’s 2025 inauguration is now worth 53% below.
-
Bitcoin has fallen 34% since January 2025, and $10K then would be $6,600 today.
-
Ethereum declined 38%; and$10K investment is now about $6,200.
-
Analysts see $XRP potentially hitting $5–$10 with regulatory clarity, offering 7x gains.
Where the Market Stood in January 2025
$XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum were rallying massively on the momentum that swept the market after Trump’s election victory in November 2024. Specifically, Bitcoin cracked the $100K milestone while $XRP reached $3 for the first time in eight years. The momentum continued through November, December, and into January, when Trump was inaugurated.
On the day of Trump’s second inauguration, Bitcoin traded at $101,100, with a market cap of $2 trillion. Ethereum stood at $3,208, with a market cap of $383 billion. Likewise, $XRP changed hands at $2.95, with a market cap of $170 billion.
Fast forward to today, Bitcoin trades at $66,800, with a market cap of $1.33 trillion, having lost over 30% of its value. Ethereum sits at $1,995, with a $240 billion market cap, while $XRP trades at $1.39, with a market cap of $85 billion.
What $10,000 Would Be Worth Today
Using those price levels, a $10,000 investment in each asset in January 2025 would have significantly depreciated:
- Bitcoin: $10,000 at $101,100 would have bought roughly 0.0989 $BTC. At today’s $66,800 price, that holding is worth about $6,600 — a decline of roughly 34%.
- Ethereum: $10,000 at $3,208 would have secured about 3.11 ETH. At $1,995 today, that investment is worth around $6,200, down about 38%.
- $XRP: $10,000 at $2.95 would have purchased about 3,389 $XRP. At today’s $1.39 price, the holding is worth roughly $4,710 — a drop of nearly 53%.
Among the three, $XRP has experienced the steepest percentage drawdown from inauguration-day levels, with its market capitalization cut in half from $170 billion to $85 billion.
Is This an $XRP Shakeout Before a Bigger Move?
Despite the decline, some analysts argue that prolonged weakness could set the stage for a stronger cycle ahead.
One $XRP commentator, Archie, recently suggested that 2026 could be transformative for the asset, projecting a move toward $83 per token. From today’s $1.39, that would represent a gain of more than 5,900%, implying a multi-trillion-dollar valuation.
Under that scenario, the 3,389 $XRP accumulated with a $10,000 investment would be worth over $281,000. Archie even hinted at the possibility of “four figures,” though such projections remain highly speculative.
More conservative upside cases, tied to potential U.S. regulatory clarity, envision $XRP moving into the $5–$10 range. At $10, that same 3,389 $XRP would be valued at nearly $33,890, turning today’s depressed position into a 7x rebound.
Bitcoin Million-Dollar Narrative
Similarly, bullish sentiment around Bitcoin persists. At a recent forum at Mar-a-Lago, Eric Trump reiterated his long-term projection that Bitcoin could eventually reach $1 million per coin. If Bitcoin climbs from today’s $66,800 to $1 million, the 0.0989 $BTC purchased with $10,000 on inauguration day would be worth close to $98,900.
Analysts like Michaël van de Poppe argue that market participants in a few years will regret not buying Bitcoin at the current ~$60K level. Even Bitwise CEO has called the current level a generational buying opportunity. The firm projects Bitcoin could see compound growth of 28% over the next decade.
Test of Conviction
The numbers show that a $10,000 investment made at the start of Trump’s second term would currently be underwater across all three major assets. For small altcoins, the results are even far worse.
Notably, the declines have been widely attributed to Trump’s macroeconomic policies, including back-and-forth tariffs and conflicts in the Middle East.
These actions destabilized investor sentiment, despite hopes for a promising turn given Trump’s pro-crypto advocacy. Yet, some believe the worst is over and bull season will resume soon.
Indeed, crypto markets have historically moved in cycles marked by deep corrections followed by sharp expansions. As always in crypto, time horizon and risk tolerance remain the defining factors.