Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana stand out for delivering extraordinary 3-year crypto growth, combining proven performance with long-term investment potential.
If you’re aiming for strong long-term crypto returns, it helps to know which tokens have truly delivered. Over the past three years, from mid-2022 to mid-2025, three coins have stood out as the top performing cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin surged from roughly $23,337 in July 2022 to a peak near $104,638 in May 2025, a gain of about +350%.
Ethereum more than doubled from around $1,800 to $4,500, while Solana skyrocketed from under $1 to well over $170. In this article, we break down the forces behind these gains and assess their future potential, giving you a clear, informed view on the top cryptos to watch.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin delivered approximately +430% growth from mid-2022 (around $23,300) to mid-2025 (over $111,900); its market cap now exceeds $1.9 trillion.
- Ethereum more than doubled in value over the same period, climbing from about $1,800 to over $4,500, supported by its energy-efficient PoS model and DeFi dominance.
- Solana achieved staggering gains, soaring from under $1 at launch to roughly $175, translating to over 17,000% returns; its Q1 2025 revenue ($369 million) already matched half of 2024’s total, a rapid ecosystem growth.
1. Bitcoin (BTC)
- Market Cap: roughly $2.3 trillion as of early August 2025
- 3-Year Price Change: Bitcoin rose from about $23,337 on July 31, 2022, to roughly $116,600 in early August 2025, a +400% gain.
- 2025 Price Prediction: Prominent analyst Anthony Scaramucci foresees Bitcoin reaching $200,000 within 2025
- 2030 Price Outlook: Billionaire investor Philippe Laffont predicts that Bitcoin’s overall market cap could more than double to $5 trillion, potentially supporting even higher per-coin prices
Bitcoin remains the benchmark for long-term crypto returns, thanks to its institutional backing, ETF support, and global recognition. With over a 400% price increase, it is no doubt one of the top performing cryptocurrencies. Its sheer scale, demonstrated by its dominant market cap, reinforces its market leadership.
In 2025, Bitcoin is positioned as a highly liquid, trusted digital asset. If bullish projections, such as Anthony Scaramucci’s $200,000 target, materialize, it could reclaim six-figure territory.
Looking toward 2030, a potential doubling of its market cap could unlock even greater crypto gains for patient, long-term holders.
$5,000 invested in BTC 3 years ago would now be worth?
At around $23,337 in mid-2022, $5,000 would have bought about 0.215 BTC. At roughly $116,600 today, that stake is now worth approximately $25,100, giving you more than $20,000 in profit. This proves why BTC is among the best cryptos to hold long term.
BTC Latest News
- President Trump signed a major executive order allowing alternative assets like Bitcoin into 401(k) retirement plans, triggering a 2% rally to around $117,500.
- Bitcoin currently trades about 31% below its energy-based fair value of roughly $145,000, suggesting upside if fundamentals hold.
Pros
- Unmatched liquidity and global recognition
- Proven model for long-term crypto returns
- Strong institutional and ETF support
- Clear value as “digital gold”
Cons
- Volatility remains significant
- Lacks smart-contract functionality of newer platforms
- Less innovation appeal relative to newer Layer-1 projects
How to Invest in BTC (via eToro)
- Log in or sign up on eToro.
- Search for Bitcoin (BTC) and click “Buy.”
- Enter your investment amount (e.g., $5,000) and confirm to complete the purchase.
RECOMMENDED: Bitcoin Performance So Far In 2025
2. Ethereum (ETH)
- Market Cap: approximately $479 billion in early August 2025
- 3-Year Price Change: Ethereum rose from about $1,680 in mid-July 2022 to $4,586 on August 12, 2025, an increase of over 250%
- 2025 Price Prediction: Some analysts see Ethereum climbing to $5,000 by the end of the year
- 2030 Price Outlook: Long-term projections suggest a potential level of $6,320
Ethereum has delivered a strong 3-year growth, rising from around $1,680 to over $4,500. The coin’s strength comes from its central role in DeFi and NFTs.
Major technical upgrades like The Merge, followed by Dencun and upcoming Pectra enhancements, have made Ethereum more scalable and energy efficient. That progression, combined with growing institutional interest, has significantly boosted its growth over the last three years.
Ethereum also serves as an innovation hub. Developers build millions of daily applications on its platform. With active staking, emerging ETF structures, and increasing regulatory clarity, Ethereum remains one of the best cryptos to hold long term.
$5,000 invested in ETH 3 years ago would now be worth?
At approximately $1,680 in July 2022, $5,000 would have bought about 2.98 ETH. At today’s price of $4,500, that stake is now worth over $13,000, which more than doubles your investment in three years.
ETH Latest News:
- Ethereum topped $4,500 for the first time since December 2024, thanks to institutional inflows via ETFs, strong on-chain activity, and emerging regulatory clarity.
- Analysts are closely watching momentum which could carry ETH to $5,000 if demand continues
Pros
- Vital backbone for DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts
- Post-Merge energy use is nearly 99% lower
- High network activity and market cap reinforce its dominance
- Institutional momentum and ETF access growing steadily
Cons
- Network congestion still causes occasional high gas fees
- Needs further upgrades to match new Layer-1 competitors
- Regulatory changes could impact staking and ETF structures
How to Invest in ETH (via eToro)
- Log in or create an account on eToro.
- Search for Ethereum (ETH) and click “Trade.”
- Enter the amount (e.g., $5,000) and confirm to purchase.
RECOMMENDED: How to Buy Ethereum (ETH) in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
3. Solana (SOL)
- Market Cap: about $96 billion as of early August 2025, with estimates ranging from $91 billion to $99 billion .
- 3-Year Price Change: Solana rose from roughly $42 in July 2022 to around $191 today, delivering more than +450% growth.
- 2025 Price Prediction: Some analysts expect SOL to climb to $250, with bullish scenarios calling for highs near $300.
- 2030 Price Outlook: Forecasts vary widely, ranging from $500 to $770, and some bullish models even suggest up to $1,315.
Solana offers one of the most dramatic examples of 3-year crypto growth among the top performing cryptocurrencies. From its launch to now, it has grown more than 450% thanks to ultra-fast throughput, low transaction fees, and a vibrant DeFi and NFT ecosystem. These strengths make it appealing for investors seeking aggressive growth and the best cryptos to hold long term.
Still, risks remain. Solana faces regulatory scrutiny, including a 2022 class-action lawsuit and past SEC disputes, though it remains resilient. Institutional interest continues to grow; for example, a tech company recently acquired millions of SOL and now earns around $65,000 per day from staking.
$5,000 invested in SOL 3 years ago would now be worth?
At $42 in July 2022, $5,000 would have bought about 119 SOL. At around $191 today, that stake is worth over $22,000. That’s more than $15k gains.
SOL Latest News:
- Analysts remain bullish on Solana, citing strong technicals and momentum. One sees potential for a rise to $250 in the near term .
- Some even forecast a surge as high as $1,315, driven by breakout patterns and a broader crypto rally.
- Institutional interest continues: Upexi recently bought over 2 million SOL and reports about $65,000 in daily staking rewards.
Pros
- Exceptional 3-year crypto growth (over +450%)
- Fast, low-cost network supports DeFi/NFT growth
- Strong developer activity enhances crypto gains over time
- Institutional staking and validator interest signal long-term adoption
Cons
- Past outages and centralization raise reliability concerns
- Regulatory risks remain from lawsuits and SEC scrutiny
- High valuation limits short-term upside compared to new altcoins
How to Invest in SOL (via eToro)
- Sign in or register on eToro.
- Search for Solana (SOL) and click “Trade.”
- Enter your desired investment (e.g., $5,000) and confirm your purchase.
RELATED: Is Solana A Good Investment Right Now?
Crypto to Buy Now or Watch
Among the three, Solana (SOL) stands out as both a top performing cryptocurrency and a strong buy or watch option. SOL has climbed approximately 19% over the past month, rising to $191.
Experts now recommend buying below $175 for a 12–24 month horizon, citing solid institutional backing and high on-chain activity with over 600 million weekly transactions; well above Ethereum’s levels.
If SOL breaks above key resistance, it could reach toward $200–$250. Its combination of explosive price growth, high throughput, and growing institutional interest makes it compelling for both long-term holders and watchlist investors.
FAQs
1. Which crypto to buy today for long‑term?
High‑market cap tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana remain top picks for long‑term crypto returns. As of August 2025, analysts continue favoring them due to strong fundamentals, regulatory clarity, and institutional adoption.
2. What is the best performing crypto right now?
Daily performance varies. Currently, XRP, Ethereum, and Solana show strong short‑term momentum, due to renewed capital flows and upbeat sentiment.
4. What if I bought $1,000 Bitcoin in 2010?
A $1,000 Bitcoin purchase at about $0.10 in mid‑2010 would have acquired around 10,000 BTC. Today, at roughly $116K per coin, that stake would be worth well over $1 billion.
Conclusion
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana continue to stand among the top performing cryptocurrencies for investors seeking meaningful long-term returns.
Backed by established networks, strong utility, and proven market leadership, they offer a solid foundation for building lasting crypto gains. While the allure of 1,000× “moonshots” is real, such high-risk bets are best reserved for a small, speculative slice of a portfolio, not its core.
History shows that life-changing wins, like Bitcoin’s early surge from hundreds to six figures, are rare. For most investors, sustainable growth comes from consistency, discipline, and sound fundamentals; qualities these three cryptos deliver alongside credible future potential.
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