What if you bought Ethereum during DeFi summer?
This uses real historical data to show what would have happened if you had made a lump-sum investment in Ethereum on December 1, 2020 — as smart contracts and DeFi were spreading — and held it until now.
⚠️ Know the risk first
After this point Ethereum went through both the 2021 surge and the 2022 crash, often more volatile than Bitcoin. Check the maximum drawdown and loss period below first.
What happened that day
On December 1, 2020, the Beacon Chain — the first phase of Ethereum 2.0 — went live. Alongside the decentralized-finance boom dubbed 'DeFi summer,' it marked the symbolic period when Ethereum established itself as a top coin.
Why this date
To model 'entering during the growth phase when next-platform expectations peaked,' we set the assumed purchase to December 1, 2020, when the Ethereum 2.0 Beacon Chain launched.
Investment conditions
Asset · Ethereum (ETH) · lump-sum, then held
Method · Lump-sum (all at once)
Period · 2020-12-01 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $7,407
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-79.3%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
0months
Months in loss: 0
Recovery period
0months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $7,407 → Final value $20,292 (+173.9%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -79.3%
Why this period and asset
Late 2020 was dubbed 'DeFi summer,' when financial services like lending, trading, and yield farming exploded on top of Ethereum. On December 1, 2020, the first phase of Ethereum 2.0 (the Beacon Chain) went live, raising expectations. It was the moment Ethereum cemented itself as a top coin alongside Bitcoin.
Interpreting the result
Even after buying at this point, Ethereum went through both the 2021 surge and the 2022 crash. In the metrics below, always check the maximum drawdown and loss period alongside the XIRR. Compared side by side with Bitcoin in the related scenario, you can see how drawdowns and paths differ even among cryptocurrencies.
Caveats & limits
Figures use an adjusted basis and exclude trading fees, taxes, and FX. Ethereum has often been even more volatile than Bitcoin, and in 2022 it fell sharply from its peak. This is past data only and does not guarantee the future.
Event fact sources
- Ethereum 2.0 Beacon Chain launch 2020-12-01 (Ethereum Foundation)
- 2020 'DeFi Summer' press coverage
Requested date vs actual trading date
The assumed purchase date is the event date (2020-12-01). Ethereum trades around the clock, but displayed prices use daily close, so actual fills may differ.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-25
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: Cierre ajustado (refleja dividendos y desdoblamientos de acciones)
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
What was DeFi summer?
It refers to 2020, when decentralized finance (DeFi) services surged on Ethereum. That boom greatly boosted demand for Ethereum.
How is it different from Bitcoin?
If Bitcoin is closer to 'digital gold,' Ethereum is more of a platform for running apps. Compare the two assets' drawdowns in the related scenario.
Is the 2022 decline reflected?
Yes. The 2022 crypto downturn hit Ethereum hard, and that mark remains in the maximum drawdown metric.
Does this recommend investing?
No. It only shows one past date's path and does not predict the future or recommend any investment.
Related scenarios
📋 Los resultados se basan en datos históricos; las rentabilidades pasadas no garantizan rentabilidades futuras.
📋 Este servicio se ofrece con fines educativos para ayudarte a entender la inversión, no como asesoramiento de inversión.