USDT Historical Price and Return Analysis: Should I buy USDT now?

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive review of the historical prices and market fluctuations of USDT since its inception. Combining data from different stages, it evaluates the potential returns for investors purchasing 10 USDT and answers the key question, “Should I buy USDT now?” to help both beginners and long-term investors grasp timing and growth opportunities.

Early Market Cycle: Historical Price Review (2015 to 2019)

USDT, launched by Tether, is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. According to market records, its early trading price was approximately $1.21. As the first mainstream stablecoin in the cryptocurrency market, USDT’s price fluctuations were relatively limited, oscillating around the $1 peg.

Below are the price changes of USDT during the early market phase:

2015

• Opening Price: $1.21
• Closing Price: $1.00
• Highest Price: $1.21
• Lowest Price: $0.57
• Annual Return: -17.37%

2016

• Opening Price: $1.00
• Closing Price: $1.00
• Highest Price: $1.00
• Lowest Price: $0.96
• Annual Return: 0.0%

2017

• Opening Price: $1.00
• Closing Price: $1.01
• Highest Price: $1.07
• Lowest Price: $0.91
• Annual Return: 1.23%

2018

• Opening Price: $1.01
• Closing Price: $1.01
• Highest Price: $1.32
• Lowest Price: $0.95
• Annual Return: -0.28%

2019

• Opening Price: $1.00
• Closing Price: $0.998
• Highest Price: $1.01
• Lowest Price: $0.991
• Annual Return: -0.57%

An investor who bought 10 USDT in 2015 and held until the end of 2019 would have a potential return of -$0.045.

Mid-term Market Cycle: Consolidation and Stability Period (2020 to 2023)

During this period, USDT’s position as a stablecoin was increasingly established, with prices remaining close to $1 and minimal fluctuations. This reflects market recognition of Tether’s dollar reserve commitments and USDT’s core role as a “digital dollar” in cryptocurrency trading.

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 USDT during this phase are:

• 2020: $0.002
• 2021: -$0.005
• 2022: $0.010
• 2023: -$0.006

Recent Market Cycle: Should I buy USDT now? (2024 to 2026 so far)

In recent years, USDT has continued to maintain its core function as a stablecoin, with prices staying extremely close to $1, reflecting market confidence in its value peg. As a liquidity hub in the cryptocurrency market, USDT’s value is more about its functionality than investment returns.

2024

• Opening Price: $0.9995
• Closing Price: $0.9982
• Highest Price: $1.00
• Lowest Price: $0.9961
• Annual Return: -0.12%

2025

• Opening Price: $0.9980
• Closing Price: $0.9988
• Highest Price: $1.00
• Lowest Price: $0.9978
• Annual Return: 0.08%

2026 (so far)

• Opening Price: $0.9985
• Closing Price: $0.9995
• Highest Price: $0.9999
• Lowest Price: $0.9985
• Annual Return: 0.11%

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 USDT during this period are:

• 2024: $0.0007
• 2025: $0.0150
• 2026 so far: $0.0105

Conclusion: The Functional Value of Stablecoins and Investment Positioning

By analyzing USDT’s historical prices and potential returns, we see that as a stablecoin, its value primarily lies in preservation of value and liquidity tools rather than capital appreciation. From 2015 to 2026 so far, the overall return for purchasing 10 USDT is minimal (about $0.01), which aligns with the design goal of stablecoins—providing a store of value rather than investment returns. Investors should recognize that the decision to buy USDT should be based on liquidity, trading partner demand, and other factors, rather than expecting capital appreciation.