Crypto Newbie / Investment Goal Calculator
Investment Goal Calculator
Enter the amount you want to reach, when you want to reach it, and how much you're starting with. We work backwards under three return assumptions — conservative (5% annual), base (10%), and bull (20%) — and tell you the monthly contribution required. The same math wealth advisors use, applied to crypto.
Conservative (5% APR)
$643.99
per month
Base case (10% APR)
$488.17
per month
Bull case (20% APR)
$265.89
per month
⚠️ Reality checks before you commit
- •Crypto returns are NOT smooth. The base case of 10% APR could mean +80% one year and -50% the next. Plan for the volatility, not the average.
- •Compounding inside a tax-deferred account is very different from compounding while paying capital gains every year. Real after-tax returns are typically 70-85% of nominal.
- •These projections assume you actually stick to the monthly amount through drawdowns. Most beginners reduce or pause contributions during bear markets — exactly when DCA is doing its best work.
- •Don't confuse a goal calculator with a guarantee. The future is unknowable. Plan flexible — be ready to adjust either the target or the monthly contribution as life happens.
Why three return scenarios?
Single-point projections lie. Real crypto returns over a 10-year window have ranged from sustained 30%+ annualised (early Bitcoin) to single-digit annual (mature stablecoin yield) — and the same asset can deliver wildly different APRs depending on entry timing. Three scenarios force you to plan for a reasonable spread rather than overcommitting to one number. If your plan only works at 20% APR, it's not a plan — it's a wish.
How much should I invest monthly to reach a crypto goal?
A reverse-DCA calculator works backwards from your target. If you want $100,000 in 10 years at a 10% assumed APR, with no starting balance, you need to contribute about $485/month. That's the same compound-interest math used in retirement planning, applied to crypto. The honest version uses multiple APR scenarios because crypto returns aren't smooth — plan around the conservative case, treat upside as bonus.
Frequently asked questions
+What return assumption should I use for crypto?
Use 10% as a reasonable base case if you're DCA'ing into BTC + ETH over 10+ years. 5% is appropriate if you'll mostly hold stablecoins. 20% only makes sense over short windows during clear bull cycles. Don't plan around 30%+ — that's a hope, not a forecast.
+Does this include staking yield?
No — assume yield is reinvested at the same APR. If you stake ETH at ~3% on top of price appreciation, you can lift the base case to 12-14%. Be conservative.
+Why is the conservative scenario useful?
Because it's the only one you can survive without changing your behaviour mid-plan. If your plan works at 5%, anything above that is a bonus. If your plan only works at 20%, the first 50% drawdown will force you to either give up or change strategy mid-stream.
+Should I include taxes in my target?
Yes — target your post-tax number. If you want $100k spendable and your jurisdiction takes 20% capital gains, plan for ~$125k gross. Country-specific tax rules vary widely; check yours.
+What if my monthly amount needed is more than I can save?
Three options: extend the timeline, lower the target, or accept higher return assumptions (with more downside risk). Often the right move is extending the timeline — 15 years instead of 10 cuts the required monthly contribution dramatically.