**A $10,000 Investment in XRP: A Journey of Remarkable Returns and Lessons Learned**
Since 2020, a $10,000 investment in XRP has produced impressive returns, with other altcoins like XDC, HBAR, and SHX demonstrating even more significant growth. Recently, Vandell Aljarrah, co-founder of Black Swan Capitalist, took to Twitter to spark conversations about the critical importance of early positioning in the crypto market. He pointed out the astonishing gains that select altcoins, including XRP, have achieved since their lowest prices in 2020.
According to his analysis, a $10,000 investment in XRP at $0.17 would now be valued at $134,705, given its current price of $2.29. This indicates that investors who held XRP during this five-year period have experienced a remarkable return of at least 1,247%. The returns become even more striking when considering XRP’s peak valuation. Specifically, at its highest price in January 2025, when XRP traded at $3.34, that same investment would have soared to $196,470. Throughout this five-year span, XRP never fell below $0.17, with the lowest point occurring during the onset of the SEC lawsuit in 2020.
**XDC, HBAR, and SHX Post Strong Gains**
Aljarrah also highlighted the impressive performance of other altcoins. For instance, XDC, which traded as low as $0.0003 in 2020, is now priced at $0.0777. At that low price, a $10,000 investment could have acquired 33.33 million tokens. Today, that investment would be worth an astonishing $2.59 million, reflecting a jaw-dropping 25,800% gain.
Other cryptocurrencies have also seen exponential growth. Hedera (HBAR), which was valued at just $0.01 in 2020, has climbed to $0.1964, yielding a 1,864% return and turning a $10,000 investment into $196,400. Additionally, SHX, a lesser-known cryptocurrency, has also delivered impressive returns. Starting at just $0.0005 in 2020, a $10,000 investment would now be worth $226,000 by 2025, based on its current price of $0.0113.
**Positioning Early**
Aljarrah emphasized that these remarkable gains occurred even before a full-blown altcoin season, a time when liquidity typically floods into smaller assets, driving prices even higher. He stressed that early positioning is crucial for capturing these gains. The key to success, according to him, lies in identifying opportunities early, before significant price movements take place.
Despite these incredible returns, Aljarrah poses a thought-provoking question: “So, why do people still lose money in this market?” This inquiry highlights a paradox: while some early investors have reaped substantial rewards, many others struggle to seize similar opportunities. This may stem from short-term holding behaviors, where investors rush to exit the market during downturns. Ultimately, market volatility and poor timing could be significant factors contributing to these missed opportunities.
