Trade
Basic
Futures
Futures
Hundreds of contracts settled in USDT or BTC
Options
HOT
Trade European-style vanilla options
Unified Account
Maximize your capital efficiency
Demo Trading
Futures Kickoff
Get prepared for your futures trading
Futures Events
Futures Mall
Participate in events to win generous rewards
Demo Trading
Use virtual funds to experience risk-free trading
Earn
Launch
CandyDrop
Collect candies to earn airdrops
Launchpool
Quick staking, earn potential new tokens
HODLer Airdrop
Hold GT and get massive airdrops for free
Launchpad
Be early to the next big token project
Alpha Points
NEW
Trade on-chain assets and enjoy airdrop rewards!
Futures Points
NEW
Earn futures points and claim airdrop rewards
Investment
Simple Earn
Earn interests with idle tokens
Auto-Invest
Auto-invest on a regular basis
Dual Investment
Buy low and sell high to take profits from price fluctuations
Soft Staking
Earn rewards with flexible staking
Crypto Loan
0 Fees
Pledge one crypto to borrow another
Lending Center
One-stop lending hub
VIP Wealth Hub
Customized wealth management empowers your assets growth
Private Wealth Management
Customized asset management to grow your digital assets
Quant Fund
Top asset management team helps you profit without hassle
Staking
Stake cryptos to earn in PoS products
Smart Leverage
NEW
No forced liquidation before maturity, worry-free leveraged gains
GUSD Minting
Use USDT/USDC to mint GUSD for treasury-level yields
More
Trending Topics
View More654 Popularity
63.78K Popularity
23.28K Popularity
8.06K Popularity
7.19K Popularity
Pin
Gate Square New & Returning Creator Rewards are ongoing!
Your ideas may be more valuable than you think!
Make your first post or come back post to share a $20,000 monthly prize pool!
Post with #MyFirstPostOnSquare to receive a $50 Position Voucher each
Monthly Top Posters and Top Engagers will each earn an extra $50 reward
Your crypto insights could inspire many—start creating today!
👉 https://www.gate.com/postGate Square “Creator Certification Incentive Program” — Recruiting Outstanding Creators!
Join now, share quality content, and compete for over $10,000 in monthly rewards.
How to Apply:
1️⃣ Open the App → Tap [Square] at the bottom → Click your [avatar] in the top right.
2️⃣ Tap [Get Certified], submit your application, and wait for approval.
Apply Now: https://www.gate.com/questionnaire/7159
Token rewards, exclusive Gate merch, and traffic exposure await you!
Details: https://www.gate.com/announcements/article/47889
Ethereum (ETH) Historical Price and Returns Analysis: Should I Buy Ethereum Now?
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive review of Ethereum’s historical price movements and market volatility since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to assess the potential returns for investors purchasing 10 ETH tokens. Through detailed historical analysis spanning from 2016 to 2026, we examine key market cycles and address the critical question: “Should I buy Ethereum now?” This analysis aims to help both novice and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and understand the growth potential of this leading blockchain platform.
Early Market Cycles and Bull Market Origins: Historical Price Review (2016 to 2017)
Ethereum is a decentralized open-source blockchain platform that supports smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps), operating through Ether (ETH). According to historical market data, its earliest recorded trading price was approximately $10.3 USD in 2016.
The following details Ethereum’s price movements during the initial market phases:
2016
2017
An investor who purchased 10 ETH during the early bull market phase in 2016 would realize potential gains of $29,635.73 if selling today.
Bear Market Adjustments and Medium-Term Cycles: Returns and Risk Analysis (2018 to 2022)
During this period, Ethereum experienced significant price volatility, characterized by sharp corrections followed by recovery attempts, reflecting broader cryptocurrency market dynamics and regulatory uncertainties.
The following details potential returns for investors who purchased 10 ETH during various phases of this cycle:
2018
2022
Recent Market Cycles: Should I Buy Ethereum Now? (2023 to 2026)
In recent years, Ethereum has demonstrated a mixed recovery trajectory following the 2022 bear market downturn. The period from 2023 onwards shows signs of consolidation with moderate gains, raising questions about whether the market has entered a new bull phase or remains in extended correction territory.
2023
2024
2025
2026 (to Date)
Potential returns for investors who purchased 10 ETH during this recent period are as follows:
Conclusion: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and Investment Timing Analysis
Through comprehensive analysis of Ethereum’s historical price data and potential returns across multiple market cycles, the evidence reveals a long-term growth trajectory despite significant periodic corrections. The data demonstrates that while Ethereum has delivered substantial returns during bull market phases, the recent 2025-2026 period shows declining momentum with negative returns. Investors must carefully evaluate current market conditions and their individual risk tolerance when considering whether the present time represents an optimal entry point for Ethereum investment.