In the ever-evolving world of finance, few voices command as much attention — and controversy — as Jim Cramer, the outspoken host of CNBC’s Mad Money. Known for his energetic delivery and often contradictory market takes, Cramer has swung dramatically on cryptocurrency, from fierce critic to cautious supporter. One of his most infamous moments came in late 2022, when he dismissed crypto investors as “idiots” — a comment that, in hindsight, may have been more wrong than he ever imagined.
This article explores what would have happened if you had invested $1,000 in Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies on December 23, 2022 — the very day Cramer issued his scathing warning. We’ll break down the returns, compare them to traditional markets, and examine how going against conventional wisdom can sometimes lead to extraordinary gains.
The Infamous "Idiot" Comment
On December 23, 2022, during a particularly heated segment on CNBC, Jim Cramer launched into a blistering critique of the cryptocurrency market. At the time, the industry was reeling from the collapse of FTX and the arrest of its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried. Investor confidence was at a low, and regulators were stepping up scrutiny.
Cramer used the moment to double down on his skepticism.
“I do think you’re an idiot. I did not go to college to get stupid. These people who own these things should not own them.”
He went further, calling cryptocurrencies the “creation of money by cretins” and claiming they were “worse than even the worst Nasdaq stocks.” He praised traditional banking systems, saying he trusted his money at JPMorgan and could check his balance anytime — a level of certainty he argued crypto couldn’t provide.
At that moment, Bitcoin was trading around $16,750. Ethereum hovered near $1,200. Solana had crashed from its highs, Litecoin was stagnant, and Coinbase — the largest U.S. crypto exchange — was facing existential questions.
Fast forward to 2025: nearly every asset Cramer mocked has surged far beyond expectations.
👉 Discover how timing the market with confidence can turn skepticism into opportunity.
What If You Invested $1,000 That Day?
Let’s rewind to December 23, 2022. You hear Cramer’s rant. Instead of walking away, you decide to bet against his advice. Here’s how a $1,000 investment in each of the highlighted assets would have performed by early 2025.
Bitcoin (BTC)
- Price on Dec 23, 2022: ~$16,750
- Amount purchased: 0.0592 BTC
- Value in 2025: ~$94,218.86
- Portfolio value: $5,577.76
- Return: +457.8%
Bitcoin alone delivered nearly five and a half times your initial investment — a staggering turnaround for an asset labeled as worthless just two years prior.
Ethereum (ETH)
- Price on Dec 23, 2022: ~$1,227
- Amount purchased: 0.815 ETH
- Value in 2025: ~$3,385
- Portfolio value: $2,764.70
- Return: +176.5%
Ethereum’s growth was fueled by network upgrades, rising DeFi adoption, and increasing institutional interest — especially after Ethereum-based ETFs gained regulatory approval.
Solana (SOL)
- Price on Dec 23, 2022: ~$14.50
- Amount purchased: 82.78 SOL
- Value in 2025: ~$194.4
- Portfolio value: $16,090.78
- Return: +1,509.1%
Solana emerged as one of the biggest crypto success stories of the period, rebounding from FTX’s collapse (a major backer) to become a leading layer-1 blockchain with high-speed transactions and booming NFT and meme coin activity.
Litecoin (LTC)
- Price on Dec 23, 2022: ~$66
- Amount purchased: 15.15 LTC
- Value in 2025: ~$101
- Portfolio value: $1,528.79
- Return: +52.9%
While not as explosive as others, Litecoin still outperformed many traditional assets and maintained its role as a reliable digital silver to Bitcoin’s gold.
Coinbase (COIN)
- Stock price on Dec 23, 2022: ~$35.98
- Shares purchased: 27.79
- Value in 2025: ~$254.6
- Portfolio value: $7,076.45
- Return: +607.6%
As the primary U.S. gateway to crypto trading, Coinbase benefited massively from renewed investor interest and the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024.
Diversified Portfolio Performance
What if you’d taken a balanced approach? Splitting $1,000 equally across all five assets — $200 each in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, and Coinbase stock — here’s how your portfolio would look:
- Bitcoin: $1,115.55
- Ethereum: $552.94
- Litecoin: $305.76
- Solana: $3,218.16
- Coinbase: $1,415.29
- Total Value: $6,607.70
- Overall Return: +560.8%
This diversified strategy would have turned $1,000 into over $6,600 — more than doubling even the best-performing single asset (Solana) on a weighted basis.
For comparison:
- The S&P 500 (via SPY ETF) returned approximately +54% over the same period.
- Your crypto basket outperformed it by over 10 times.
👉 See how smart diversification and early entry can maximize long-term gains in digital assets.
Why This Moment Matters
Cramer’s 2022 comments reflect a broader narrative: established financial figures often dismiss emerging technologies until adoption becomes undeniable. Cryptocurrency has followed this cycle before — dismissed as a fad, then a bubble, then a tool for criminals — only to mature into a legitimate asset class.
The approval of Bitcoin ETFs in 2024 marked a turning point. With major institutions offering crypto exposure through regulated products, skepticism began to wane. Even Cramer reversed course, calling Bitcoin and Ethereum “worthy of a portfolio spot” as a hedge against rising U.S. debt.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was Jim Cramer ever bullish on cryptocurrency?
A: Yes — despite his harsh criticism in late 2022, Cramer turned bullish by late 2024, acknowledging Bitcoin and Ethereum as valid portfolio diversifiers amid growing national debt and macroeconomic uncertainty.
Q: How much did Bitcoin increase from December 2022 to 2025?
A: From approximately $16,750 to over $94,000 — representing a gain of about +458%.
Q: Did any crypto outperform Solana during this period?
A: Among the assets Cramer mentioned (BTC, ETH, SOL, LTC, COIN), Solana delivered the highest return at +1,509%, far surpassing all others.
Q: Why did Coinbase stock perform so well?
A: Coinbase benefited from increased trading volumes, regulatory clarity in the U.S., and its role as a custodian for newly approved Bitcoin ETFs.
Q: Is it safe to invest based on celebrity opinions like Cramer’s?
A: No single opinion should dictate investment decisions. It’s crucial to conduct independent research and understand risk tolerance before investing.
Q: Could this kind of return happen again in crypto?
A: While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, crypto markets remain volatile and innovation-driven — meaning high-risk opportunities for outsized returns still exist.
The story of investing $1,000 against Jim Cramer’s advice is more than just a “gotcha” moment. It’s a lesson in questioning consensus, understanding technological shifts early, and recognizing that today’s ridicule can become tomorrow’s revolution.
Whether you're new to crypto or refining your strategy, staying informed and agile is key.
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