Filecoin (FIL) Historical Price and Returns 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. Through systematic analysis of market cycles from 2017 to 2026, this study addresses the critical question: “Should I buy Filecoin now?” to assist both new and long-term investors in identifying optimal entry points and growth opportunities.

Early Market Entry and Initial Market Cycle: Historical Price Review (2017 to 2018)

Filecoin is a token built on the IPFS network. It operates through a novel consensus mechanism where miners are rewarded based on their contributed storage capacity—the larger the hard drive capacity, the greater the FIL rewards earned. According to market records, FIL’s early trading price was approximately $15.0 in 2017.

The following outlines Filecoin’s price performance during the early market entry phase:

2017

• Opening Price: $15.0
• Closing Price: $20.47
• Highest Price: $24.6
• Lowest Price: $10.14
• Annual Return: 36.47%

2018

• Opening Price: $26.42
• Closing Price: $3.72
• Highest Price: $26.56
• Lowest Price: $3.1
• Annual Return: -85.9%

An investor who purchased 10 FIL tokens in 2017 would have realized potential returns of -$134.87 if sold today. The dramatic crash in 2018 resulted in losses of -$249.07 for a 10-token position.

Bear Market Adjustment and Medium-Term Market Cycle: Returns and Risk Analysis (2019 to 2021)

During this period, FIL experienced significant price volatility marked by recovery phases and substantial rallies, reflecting the broader cryptocurrency market dynamics.

The following presents potential returns for investors purchasing 10 FIL tokens during various phases in this period:

• 2019: -$19.98
• 2020: -$52.02
• 2021: -$219.07

2019

• Opening Price: $3.51
• Closing Price: $6.44
• Highest Price: $10.04
• Lowest Price: $3.51
• Annual Return: 83.31%

2020

• Opening Price: $6.71
• Closing Price: $21.41
• Highest Price: $38.54
• Lowest Price: $5.39
• Annual Return: 218.84%

2021

• Opening Price: $23.42
• Closing Price: $35.75
• Highest Price: $182.86
• Lowest Price: $22.24
• Annual Return: 52.65%

Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy FIL Now? (2022 to 2026)

In recent years, FIL has experienced severe downward pressure, transitioning from previous bull market peaks to extended bear market conditions. The market sentiment has shifted from optimism about new bull runs to concerns about prolonged consolidation.

2022

• Opening Price: $30.2
• Closing Price: $3.11
• Highest Price: $30.39
• Lowest Price: $2.96
• Annual Return: -89.71%

2023

• Opening Price: $3.45
• Closing Price: $6.92
• Highest Price: $8.46
• Lowest Price: $3.11
• Annual Return: 100.66%

2024

• Opening Price: $5.62
• Closing Price: $5.91
• Highest Price: $10.68
• Lowest Price: $3.34
• Annual Return: 5.12%

2025

• Opening Price: $5.09
• Closing Price: $1.49
• Highest Price: $5.09
• Lowest Price: $1.28
• Annual Return: -70.63%

2026 (to date)

• Opening Price: $1.51
• Closing Price: $1.51
• Highest Price: $1.51
• Lowest Price: $1.51
• Annual Return: 0%

Investors purchasing 10 FIL tokens during this recent market cycle face significant challenges, with returns ranging from -$286.87 to -$19.341 depending on entry and exit points.

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

Through analysis of Filecoin’s historical price movements and potential returns across multiple market cycles from 2017 to 2026, a clear pattern of extreme volatility emerges. The cryptocurrency has experienced multiple boom-bust cycles, from early gains in 2017 (36.47%) to catastrophic declines in 2018 (-85.9%), followed by recovery and subsequent major drawdowns. The most recent period from 2022 onwards demonstrates sustained downward pressure, with 2025 marking a -70.63% annual decline and 2026 showing complete price stagnation at $1.51. Investors who purchased 10 tokens at any point in this trajectory face cumulative losses. The prolonged bear market phase and lack of recent recovery signals suggest caution when considering new FIL purchases at current levels.