XTZ (Tezos) Historical Price and Return Analysis: Should I Buy XTZ Now?

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of Tezos (XTZ) historical price movements and market fluctuations since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to evaluate the potential returns of purchasing 10 XTZ tokens. By analyzing price trajectories across multiple market cycles, this analysis helps both novice and long-term investors determine optimal entry points and understand growth potential, addressing the critical question: “Should I buy XTZ now?”

Early Market Entry and Initial Cycles: Historical Price Review (2017 to 2021)

Tezos (XTZ) emerged in 2017 with an early trading price of approximately $100, representing the optimistic sentiment during the initial cryptocurrency boom. As a self-amending blockchain platform emphasizing formal verification and smart contract security, XTZ entered the market during a period of high speculation and technological experimentation.

The following represents XTZ’s price performance during the early market phases:

2017

• Opening Price: $100.00
• Closing Price: $4.17
• Highest Price: $100.00
• Lowest Price: $4.17
• Annual Return: -95.83%

2018

• Opening Price: $6.35
• Closing Price: $0.484
• Highest Price: $6.35
• Lowest Price: $0.3924
• Annual Return: -92.38%

2019

• Opening Price: $0.3846
• Closing Price: $1.25
• Highest Price: $1.84
• Lowest Price: $0.3707
• Annual Return: +225.79%

2020

• Opening Price: $1.31
• Closing Price: $2.13
• Highest Price: $4.24
• Lowest Price: $1.31
• Annual Return: +62.89%

2021

• Opening Price: $2.77
• Closing Price: $4.65
• Highest Price: $8.69
• Lowest Price: $2.43
• Annual Return: +68.35%

An investor who purchased 10 XTZ tokens at the 2017 peak and held through 2021 would have experienced significant losses followed by recovery, yet overall returns remained deeply negative at -99.54%.

Bear Market Correction and Mid-Cycle Volatility: Risk and Recovery Analysis (2022 to 2024)

Following the 2021 peak, XTZ entered a severe bear market in 2022, reflecting broader cryptocurrency sector weakness. The period from 2022 through early 2024 demonstrated the cryptocurrency market’s cyclical nature, with alternating phases of sharp decline and modest recovery.

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XTZ tokens during these correction phases:

• 2022: -37.498 (representing cumulative losses from entry point)
• 2023: -3.592
• 2024: -4.082

2022

• Opening Price: $4.21
• Closing Price: $0.7174
• Highest Price: $4.29
• Lowest Price: $0.7174
• Annual Return: -82.97%

2023

• Opening Price: $0.8229
• Closing Price: $1.01
• Highest Price: $1.24
• Lowest Price: $0.6504
• Annual Return: +22.42%

2024

• Opening Price: $0.8719
• Closing Price: $1.44
• Highest Price: $1.76
• Lowest Price: $0.5993
• Annual Return: +65.6%

Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy XTZ Now? (2025 to Present)

The year 2025 has presented a sharp reversal from 2024’s gains, with XTZ declining significantly within the first months of the year, raising questions about market momentum and investment timing.

2025 (Year-to-Date)

• Opening Price: $1.26
• Closing Price: $0.4637
• Highest Price: $1.26
• Lowest Price: $0.4385
• Annual Return: -63.1%

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 XTZ tokens in this recent period:

• 2025 (to present): -7.93

Summary: Bull Markets, Bear Markets, and Investment Timing Analysis

The historical analysis of Tezos (XTZ) reveals a volatile asset class characterized by dramatic boom-and-bust cycles since 2017. An investor who purchased 10 tokens at inception would face cumulative losses of approximately -99.54%, reflecting the severe correction from the $100 peak to current price levels. While intermediate periods showed recovery potential—particularly 2019, 2020, and 2024—overall returns have remained substantially negative for long-term holders from inception. The 2025 decline suggests continued market uncertainty, making current timing decisions critical for potential investors evaluating whether to establish or expand XTZ positions.