EddieJayonCrypto
6 Oct 25
While the S&P 500 hits new highs, Bitcoin’s real returns outshine it, sparking a fiery debate about the true measure of investment success in a volatile market.
**S&P 500 Surges, But Bitcoin Outshines in Real Returns** While the S&P 500 continues to hit new all-time highs, its performance has sparked a heated debate when measured against Bitcoin. According to Phil Rosen, co-founder of *Opening Bell Daily*, the stock index has fallen more than 88% since 2020 when compared to the cryptocurrency. This stark contrast has fueled a growing conversation about which asset truly delivers superior returns in an era of inflation and shifting investor priorities. Crypto investor Anthony Pompliano has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the S&P 500’s apparent gains are misleading. “Everyone is bragging the S&P 500 is up more than 100% since 2020, but the index is actually down 88% when priced in a hard asset like Bitcoin,” he said. Pompliano argues that Bitcoin serves as a “benchmark for returns,” suggesting that investors who cannot outperform it might be better off allocating capital to the cryptocurrency. The debate has intensified as Bitcoin broke records on October 5, 2025, surpassing the $125,000 mark—a historic milestone that has reignited discussions about the role of traditional assets versus digital ones. Proponents of Bitcoin highlight its resilience as a store of value, particularly in times of economic uncertainty, while critics question the validity of comparing the two assets. Some skeptics, including entrepreneur WellspringGP, argue that the S&P 500’s performance cannot be fairly measured against Bitcoin. They point out that the index has added over $25 trillion in market capitalization since 2020, nearly 20 times more than Bitcoin’s total value. WellspringGP contends that the S&P 500 represents companies creating real value through productivity and innovation, whereas Bitcoin “only consumes” resources. Pompliano, however, counters that stocks cannot be considered productive if they underperform stores of value like Bitcoin or gold. He emphasizes that the true test for investors is whether their portfolios can outpace assets that preserve wealth over time. As the debate rages on, the record-breaking surge of Bitcoin underscores a broader shift in how investors evaluate risk, return, and long-term value. Whether the S&P 500’s traditional dominance will hold or if Bitcoin’s rise signals a paradigm shift remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation about the future of finance is far from over.