Hindsight may be 20/20, but when it comes to investing, it can also be painfully enlightening. The last five years brought seismic shifts in markets–from pandemic crashes to tech surges—and a few well-placed bets in 2020 could have turned modest portfolios into millionaire milestones by 2025.
While no one can time the market perfectly, there are standout success stories that prove just how powerful compound growth and strategic investing can be. If you had the foresight (and the guts) to invest early in these six areas, your returns could’ve been life-changing.
1. Tesla (TSLA)
If there’s one stock that defined the past half-decade, it’s Tesla. In 2020, Tesla underwent a 5-for-1 stock split that attracted even more attention to the already-hyped automaker. At the start of 2020, shares were trading at around $28 (split-adjusted). By 2021, Tesla’s valuation crossed the $1 trillion mark, making Elon Musk the richest man in the world at the time and rewarding early investors handsomely.
A $10,000 investment in Tesla five years ago would now be worth well over $150,000 depending on when you sold, possibly more during its peak in 2021. Multiply that by larger buy-ins or leveraged positions, and you’re easily brushing millionaire status. Tesla’s story is a reminder that even controversial companies can change the game.
2. Bitcoin (BTC)
You probably saw this one coming. Bitcoin has had its fair share of ups and downs, but zoom out, and its five-year trajectory is still jaw-dropping. In April 2020, Bitcoin was trading around $7,000. By the end of 2021, it reached an all-time high of nearly $69,000.
Even factoring in the crashes and volatility, a $10,000 investment in Bitcoin five years ago would be worth upwards of $100,000 today. But those who sold near the peak in 2021 could have easily turned that into more than $900,000. If they timed it just right—or diversified across crypto projects—they may have reached millionaire territory by early 2022.
3. Ethereum (ETH)
While Bitcoin often gets the spotlight, Ethereum quietly became one of the best-performing assets of the last decade. In early 2020, ETH was trading at around $140. By late 2021, it had surged past $4,800. That’s a 3,300% increase, meaning a $10,000 investment could’ve grown into $340,000 or more.
Ethereum powered the DeFi and NFT booms, and developers flocked to the blockchain to build smart contracts, apps, and marketplaces. Those who diversified early into altcoins like ETH, especially when paired with BTC, likely found themselves sitting on a portfolio that soared past seven figures.
4. Nvidia (NVDA)
Nvidia isn’t just a gaming graphics card maker anymore. It’s the backbone of the AI revolution. Five years ago, Nvidia was a solid tech stock trading at around $55 (split-adjusted). Fast forward to 2025, and it’s become one of the biggest names in AI and data centers, with shares surging past $800 earlier this year.
A $10,000 investment in Nvidia in 2020 could easily be worth over $150,000 in 2025. Those who reinvested dividends or stayed in through the company’s explosive 2023-2024 growth tied to ChatGPT and AI hype would have done even better. This is a prime example of how long-term tech investing, especially in enabling infrastructure, can be incredibly rewarding.
5. Solana (SOL)
While Ethereum led the early smart contract movement, Solana emerged as a faster, lower-cost alternative and became one of the most explosive crypto stories of 2021. In early 2020, Solana was practically unknown, trading at just $0.50. By the end of 2021, it skyrocketed to over $250 before dipping in subsequent years.
Even with market corrections, a $10,000 investment at launch could have turned into millions during its peak and still returned well over $500,000 if sold later. The lesson? Sometimes, the riskiest bets (in the form of emerging tech) carry the biggest rewards, especially when you’re in early.
6. Shopify (SHOP)
Shopify became a pandemic-era darling when small businesses and massive brands alike pivoted to e-commerce. The stock was trading around $45 in April 2020 and soared to over $175 by late 2021. Despite recent pullbacks, long-term investors are still sitting on serious gains.
A $10,000 investment in Shopify at the start of the pandemic could have grown to nearly $50,000 or more depending on when you sold. While it didn’t have the parabolic rise of crypto or Tesla, it was a stable, tech-forward investment with major upside—especially for those who compounded gains.
The Bigger Picture
The past five years rewarded early risk-takers, especially those willing to embrace technology, crypto, and innovation-focused stocks. Of course, these gains came with serious volatility and uncertainty. None of these bets were “safe” at the time.
Still, what these examples highlight is the power of getting in early, doing your research, and letting investments ride. While not every stock or coin will deliver millionaire returns, there’s a reason long-term investors often come out on top.
As we look toward the next five years, the same logic applies. Whether it’s AI, green energy, biotech, or the next crypto wave, the million-dollar opportunities are still out there—they’re just waiting for those willing to take the calculated leap.
Did you invest in any of these early, or do you regret missing out? What current investments do you believe will define the next five years?
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