I’ve got a similar return from Bitcoin from getting in earlier this year. Granted, I only put a very small amount in to satisfy my curiosity and see how it worked. But I’ve already spent and taken out in cash far more than I put in, and the amount I have sitting in there still is about 3 times what I put in. Not much money, but no ripping up 20’s here. I put 40 bucks in just for the heck of it when it was in the 700’s. Currently I have over a hundred that I’ve left sitting there, I took out 100 in cash one time a while back, and spent a bunch of bitcoin directly, mostly on Steam games.
But no, I don’t recommend putting money into it you can’t afford to lose. I do have a few coworkers who put in like 500 bucks and cleaned up pretty well. All have taken most of the balance out by now, leaving only their original investment sitting in bitcoin.
I put in four figures in 2012. I have been taking out a very good salary (all subject to taxes!) My household debt has been cut in half, the mortgage should be paid down years ahead of time.
It could go to zero tomorrow and my overall net is multiples of my investment. It like golf. I don’t ask how... but how many.
I think the technology has a future. The bitcoin itself? I don’t really care now. It’s all gravy. Even with my nice uncle looking over my shoulder.