What is the Most Valuable Purchase You Could Make with 1 Bitcoin?
The most valuable item that could have been purchased with 1 Bitcoin (BTC) is the 2021 Tesla Model Y, in November 2021. At the time, BTC reached its all-time high (ATH) of $67,617.02, which would have been more than enough to purchase the $62,190.00 Tesla car.
In contrast, purchasing even a regular car would have been impossible with 1 BTC in 2014, when the digital gold was only worth $465.00.
The Evolution of Bitcoin’s Purchasing Power
The first real-world Bitcoin transaction took place in 2010 when two pizzas were exchanged for 10,000 BTC valued at $41.00. Nine months later, BTC hit parity with USD, making those pizzas worth $10,000.00.
In 2017, BTC surged by 2,416% year-on-year to reach $19,665.39. Since then, Bitcoin's value relative to the USD has fluctuated considerably.
Bitcoin’s Acceptance as a Means of Payment
Over the years, Bitcoin has slowly become accepted as payment for various goods and services. In 2014, Overstock.com became the world’s first major retailer to adopt Bitcoin as a payment method. Since then, industry giants such as Microsoft, Shopify, Twitch, Virgin Group and PayPal have followed suit.
That said, currently just two nations, El Salvador and the Central African Republic, consider Bitcoin as legal tender.
The Maximum Purchasing Power of 1 BTC Each Year
2015: 3.5 Netflix Shares or 5 Nights at an Airbnb
In 2015, when Bitcoin reached its all-year high price of $465.00, it could have bought 3.5 shares of Netflix, one of the top-performing stocks that year.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin miners would have had to settle for a single unit of the less efficient Bitmain Antminer S5, priced at $370.00 with a hash rate of 1.155Th/s. This was because the recently released Bitmain Antminer S7, with a maximum hash rate of 4.73Th/s, cost $2,000.00.
For those considering a vacation, 1 BTC would have covered the cost of five nights in an Airbnb private room.
2016: 48 Ethereum or a 6-Course Meal Date at an Undersea Restaurant
In 2016, the Maldives’ Ithaa Undersea Restaurant earned acclaim as one of the world's most expensive restaurants, costing $320.00 to $500.00 per person. One to two people could have dined at the exclusive Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, in exchange for 1 BTC at its all-year high of $977.14.
In the same year, 1 BTC could have purchased at least 47 Ethereum (ETH), which was $20.51 at its all-year high.
Unlike in 2015, 1 BTC in 2016 could have purchased a used 1992 or 2004 Ford Taurus.
2017/2018: 300+ Apple Shares or 13 Nights at the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel
Tech giant Apple achieved notable financial success in 2017, delivering significant gains to its investors. At Bitcoin's all-year highs of $19,655.39 in 2017 and $18,343.00 in 2018, investors could have become Apple shareholders with at least 300 shares.
Alternatively, 1 BTC could have been exchanged for over 12 ETH or 1 million Dogecoin (DOGE).
For those seeking a more lavish experience, 1 BTC in 2017 or 2018 could have covered the cost of a 13-night stay in a three-bedroom penthouse at the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel.
2017 was also the first year in which 1 BTC could have purchased a new car. Specifically, 1 BTC could have purchased a 2017 Honda HR-V, which won awards in the subcompact SUV category.
2019: 69 Years of Netflix Premium Subscription or 334 Binance Coins
In 2019, Bitcoin’s all-year high declined to $12,996.00. Even so, 1 BTC could have paid for a $15.99 Netflix premium subscription for 69 years.
Meanwhile, investors could have used 1 BTC to purchase 334 Binance Coins (BNB).
For car buyers, 1 BTC could have purchased a $12,360.00 Nissan Versa Sedan, which was popular among Uber and Lyft drivers.
Alternatively, 1 BTC could have bought two ‘perfect 10’ treatments at the Spa Montage in Beverly Hills. Designed to prepare celebrities for the red carpet, these sessions were priced at a costly $5,000.00 each.
2020: Take One of the Most Expensive Flights or 196 NVIDIA Shares
During the 2020 pandemic, 1 Bitcoin reached an all-year high price of $28,837.29. 1 BTC then could have paid for one of the most expensive flights, the Etihad Airways San Francisco to Abu Dhabi ticket, priced at $28,000.
For long-term investments, 1 BTC could have bought 196 shares of Nvidia, an artificial intelligence computing company known for its growth potential.
Alternatively, 1 BTC could have been exchanged for 6 million DOGE, 38 ETH or 742 BNB.
In the automobile category, 1 BTC could have bought a 2018 Jeep Wrangler.
2021: A 2021 Tesla Model Y or 2 Nights at the Burj Al Arab Royal Suite
Bitcoin reached its ATH value of $67,617.02 in November 2021, and 1 BTC could have bought the newly-released 2021 Tesla Model Y.
1 BTC could also have paid for two nights in the Royal Suite at Dubai's renowned Burj Al Arab Hotel.
For miners, 1 BTC could have acquired three MicroBT Whatsminer M30s++ units, each with a hash rate of 112TH/s, priced at $17,000.00 per unit. These mining rigs were ranked as the most profitable in the market, generating a daily net profit of $27.48.
Given the overall peak cryptocurrency prices in 2021, 1 BTC could have bought 14 ETH, 99,158 DOGE or 100 BNB.
2022: 3 Efficient Bitcoin Mining Machines or 417 Exxon Mobil Shares
In 2022, Bitcoin recorded a lower all-year high than the previous year, at $47,816.08. That said, 1 BTC could still have bought three of the most powerful Bitcoin mining machines available: the Antminer S19 Pro Hydro with a hash rate of 198 TH/s and the S19 XP Hydro with a hash rate of 255 TH/s, priced at $15,048.00 and $19,890.00 respectively, as well as the Antminer S19 Pro with a hash rate of 110 TH/s that cost $10,290.00.
Despite a challenging year for the US stock market in 2022, Exxon Mobil recorded a remarkable profit increase of over 80%. With 1 BTC, it was possible to acquire 417 shares of Exxon Mobil.
Those seeking luxury experiences could have used 1 BTC to enjoy a night at the Hilltop Villa in Fiji, one of the most expensive island-based hotels, priced at $45,000.00 per night.
For automobile options, 1 BTC could have afforded a luxury midsize 2022 Jaguar XF, valued at $47,000.00.
2023: 62.6 NVIDIA Shares or 47 years of Netflix Premium with 2 Extra Members
In July 2023, Bitcoin reached its highest value for the year so far, at $31,446.01. At this price, 1 BTC could have purchased 62.6 Nvidia shares, which is less than half of what could have been obtained in 2020.
For Bitcoin miners, four MicroBT Whatsminer 53s++ mining rigs could have been purchased, each offering a 320 TH/s hash rate.
Additionally, the Bitcoin value could have covered the Etihad Airways long-distance flight experience from New York City to Abu Dhabi, known as 'The Residence,' priced at $31,200.00.
Earlier in 2023, Netflix implemented a password-sharing ban and introduced an extra member fee. As a result, the number of years of Netflix premium subscription that 1 Bitcoin could provide decreased to approximately 47 years, down from the 199 years it could have afforded in 2022.
Methodology
This study examines the products and services that could be purchased by a single Bitcoin at its highest price from 2015 to 2023. Bitcoin prices are stated in USD, based on CoinGecko data.
| Year | Peak Price of Bitcoin in USD |
| 2015 | $465.00 |
| 2016 | $977.14 |
| 2017 | $19,665.39 |
| 2018 | $18,343.66 |
| 2019 | $12,996.12 |
| 2020 | $28,837.29 |
| 2021 | $67,617.02 |
| 2022 | $47,816.08 |
| 2023 | $31,446.01 |
Prices of goods and services are accurate for the specific year cited.
If you use these insights, we would appreciate a link credit to this article on CoinGecko. A link credit allows us to keep supplying you with data-led content that you may find useful.
Curious to find out more about our previous research studies & statistics? Check out this one we did on solo Bitcoin mining costs around the world.
Winifred is a freelance data journalist passionate about using data to answer the world's questions. Leveraging her expertise, she is now uncovering insights in the crypto verse through data-driven exploration. Follow the author on Twitter @missamase
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