Data
HODL by the Numbers
Over a decade of data confirms what GameKyuubi said in 2013 while drunk. Patience is the strategy.
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0M+
Global crypto holders
2025 — Crypto.com report0%
Day traders lose money
Multiple academic studies$0K
Bitcoin all-time high
Oct 6, 20250
Public companies hold BTC
As of 2025 — Bitbo0
Spot Bitcoin ETFs (US)
$138B+ AUM, 20250%+
BTC growth to ATH
~$550 → $126K (2013 → Oct 2025)History
Every Bear Was Followed by a New High
Five major crashes. Five recoveries. The pattern is the same every time.
PeriodDrawdownRecoveryContext
2011-94%~2 yrFirst major crash. $32 → ~$2. HODLers who waited saw a new ATH by late 2013.
2013–2015-87%~3 yrPBOC ban + Mt. Gox. $1,150 → $152. Recovery to new ATH in early 2017.
2017–2018-84%~3 yr$19.7K → $3.1K. Institutions used the dip to accumulate. New ATH in Dec 2020.
2020 (COVID)-63%~8 moFastest recovery. ~$10K → $3.8K in March, back to $10K+ by August 2020.
2021–2022-78%~2 yrFTX, 3AC, Luna. $69K → $15.5K. Recovery to $100K+ by late 2024, new ATH $126K in Oct 2025.
Comparison
HODL vs Active Trading
01
Long-Term HODLer
- +Transaction fees: 2 (entry + exit)
- +No emotional decision-making
- +Long-term capital gains tax advantages
- +Captures all major market moves
- +BTC growth since 2013: +22,800% to ATH
- +Zero daily attention required
02
Active Trader
- −Transaction fees: unlimited
- −Emotionally reactive to news
- −Short-term ordinary income tax
- −Often misses largest single-day moves
- −95-97% lose money (academic studies)
- −Constant attention required
Institutional
Who Else is HODLing
145
Public companies
Holding BTC on balance sheet (2025)$138B+
BTC ETF AUM
US spot Bitcoin ETFs, 20259+
Nation states
US, China, UK, El Salvador, Bhutan + more12
Spot BTC ETFs
US market, launched Jan 2024