Filecoin (FIL) Historical Price and Return Analysis: Should I Buy FIL Now?

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of Filecoin’s 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 FIL tokens. It addresses the critical question: “Should I buy Filecoin now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.

Early Market Cycles and Bull Market Origins: Historical Price Review (2017 to 2021)

Filecoin is a token built on IPFS, designed to incentivize miners by rewarding them for contributing idle hard drive storage capacity. The project employs a novel proof-of-work algorithm where miners earn FIL rewards proportionally to their storage capacity contributions. According to CoinMarketCap records, Filecoin’s early trading price was approximately $15.00 in 2017.

The following reflects Filecoin’s price performance during its early market phases:

2017

• Opening Price: $15.00
• Closing Price: $20.47
• High: $24.60
• Low: $10.14
• Annual Return: +36.47%

2018

• Opening Price: $26.42
• Closing Price: $3.72
• High: $26.56
• Low: $3.10
• Annual Return: -85.90%

2019

• Opening Price: $3.51
• Closing Price: $6.44
• High: $10.04
• Low: $3.51
• Annual Return: +83.31%

2020

• Opening Price: $6.71
• Closing Price: $21.41
• High: $38.54
• Low: $5.39
• Annual Return: +218.84%

2021

• Opening Price: $23.42
• Closing Price: $35.75
• High: $182.86
• Low: $22.24
• Annual Return: +52.65%

An investor who purchased 10 FIL tokens during the early bull market phase would have experienced substantial volatility, with potential returns reaching peak valuations above $1,828 (based on 2021 highs) before experiencing significant drawdowns.

Bear Market Corrections and Medium-Term Cycles: Risk and Return Analysis (2022 to 2024)

During this period, Filecoin experienced significant price deterioration, reflecting broader cryptocurrency market downturns and reduced investor appetite for storage-based blockchain infrastructure projects.

2022

• Opening Price: $30.20
• Closing Price: $3.11
• High: $30.39
• Low: $2.96
• Annual Return: -89.71%

2023

• Opening Price: $3.45
• Closing Price: $6.92
• High: $8.46
• Low: $3.11
• Annual Return: +100.66%

2024

• Opening Price: $5.62
• Closing Price: $5.91
• High: $10.68
• Low: $3.34
• Annual Return: +5.12%

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 FIL tokens during this period:

• 2022: -$288.43
• 2023: -$20.90
• 2024: -$42.66

Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy Filecoin Now? (2025 to 2026)

In recent years, Filecoin has continued its downward trajectory, with 2025 and 2026 showing further price depreciation. The token has failed to recover to previous highs, raising questions about its long-term viability and market positioning.

2025

• Opening Price: $5.09
• Closing Price: $1.49
• High: $5.09
• Low: $1.28
• Annual Return: -70.63%

2026 (To Date)

• Opening Price: $1.46
• Closing Price: $1.36
• High: $1.46
• Low: $1.36
• Annual Return: -6.93%

Potential returns for investors purchasing 10 FIL tokens during this recent period:

• 2025: -$37.30
• 2026 (to date): -$1.01

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

Through comprehensive analysis of Filecoin’s historical price movements and potential returns across multiple market cycles since 2017, the data demonstrates a persistent long-term depreciation trend. An investor who purchased 10 FIL tokens at any point since inception would currently face negative returns, with cumulative losses reaching approximately -$1.01 as of 2026. The token has failed to establish sustained recovery patterns, suggesting that current valuations reflect diminished market confidence in the project’s fundamental value proposition within the broader decentralized storage ecosystem.