How to Maximise Your Buying Power: DCA or Go All In?

16 Feb 2026 11:26 AM By Stormrake

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To dollar cost average or lump sum? It is one of the most debated questions when it comes to accumulating assets. Both strategies have their advantages. Neither is built for everyone. So let us break down which has historically produced the strongest outcomes and which type of investor each approach suits best.

A dollar cost averaging strategy refers to breaking up capital into smaller allocations and investing over a set period of time, regardless of price. The goal is to smooth entries, reduce volatility impact and remove emotion from the decision making process.

A lump sum investment is exactly what it sounds like. An investor deploys 100% of their capital at a chosen time and then rides out the position. This can be extremely rewarding if timed well. However, it requires conviction and discipline, especially if the purchase is made near a market peak, which in crypto can mean significant drawdowns.

For this experiment, we compare two portfolios over time using historical data sourced from On-Chain Mind. One investor allocates $10,000 in a single purchase. The other deploys $10,000 using a DCA strategy. We evaluate performance based on total Bitcoin accumulated, current dollar value and compound annual growth rate, or CAGR.

Buying Bitcoin 10 Years ago:

Looking back a decade highlights the power of time in the market for lump sum investors. A $10,000 investment in 2016 would have acquired just over 26 BTC. At current prices, that portfolio would be worth nearly $2 million, delivering a CAGR of over 69%.

In comparison, a $10,000 DCA strategy over the same period would have accumulated 2.76 BTC. That would now be valued at over $200,000, with a CAGR of 36%. While still impressive, the final portfolio value is roughly one tenth of the lump sum outcome.

The key takeaway from the past decade is clear. When capital is deployed early in a long term uptrend, lump sum investing has historically delivered unmatched returns. The only requirements were time and conviction.

Buying Bitcoin 5 Years ago:

Now let us move to a more recent entry point. In 2021, Bitcoin peaked during the previous cycle. A $10,000 lump sum investment would have acquired 0.26 BTC. Today, that position would be valued just below $20,000, with a CAGR of 14.7%.

A $10,000 DCA strategy over the same period would have accumulated 0.24 BTC, now worth approximately $18,500, with a CAGR of 13%.

This scenario presents a much closer comparison. Both strategies produced similar returns. However, the DCA approach significantly reduced the psychological pressure, as it avoided the full impact of the sharp drawdown that followed the 2021 peak.

Buying Bitcoin Cycle Peaks:

Criticism of lump sum investing typically centres around mistimed entries. Retail investors often deploy capital near cycle highs and struggle to hold through the volatility that follows.

Let us simulate buying the 2017 to 2018 cycle peak, when Bitcoin reached $20,000. A $10,000 lump sum would have acquired 0.50 BTC. Today, that position would be worth approximately $38,600, delivering a CAGR of 18%.

By contrast, a $10,000 DCA strategy would have accumulated 0.65 BTC. That portfolio would now be worth close to $50,000, with a CAGR of nearly 22%.

Here, the advantage shifts. When investing at cycle peaks, DCA has historically proven more profitable. It also reduces the emotional strain of enduring drawdowns of up to 85%, which lump sum investors experienced during that period.

Key Takeaway:

The data shows that lump sum investing has outperformed DCA in most long term scenarios, particularly when capital is deployed away from cycle highs. However, when investing at or near market peaks, DCA has demonstrated an edge. It not only improves outcomes in those conditions but also reduces emotional decision making during prolonged bear markets.

Ultimately, success often comes down to conviction. Investors who can tolerate volatility and maintain a long term outlook tend to benefit most from lump sum strategies. Those who value psychological comfort and risk management may prefer DCA.

How Does This Translate to the Current Market?

Bitcoin is currently trading roughly 40% below its all time high. It’s safe to say we’re not near a cycle peak. Historically, deploying capital significantly below all time highs has favoured lump sum approaches over extended timeframes.

For investors looking to begin accumulating, the data would suggest that a lump sum strategy could be well positioned to capture upside when the broader cycle resumes. That said, risk tolerance and personal circumstances should always guide the final decision.

If you are unsure which approach aligns with your objectives, consider speaking with a Stormrake broker to better understand the risks and opportunities in the current market.

Stormrake Spotlight: Pax Gold (PAXG) ($5,037)

PAXG will begin the week consolidating, tracking sideways over the past seven days. We can expect continued consolidation until a decisive breakout or breakdown sends PAXG toward either of the marked supply or demand zones.

BTC/USD Key Levels and Price Action:

Bitcoin attempted to reclaim $70,000 over the weekend. However, as has been the case over the past week, breakouts have failed and sellers continue to defend that level aggressively.

Bears currently maintain short term control, with repeated rejections signalling supply overhead. Until bulls reclaim and hold above $70,000 with strong volume, upside continuation remains limited. A decisive close above that level would shift short term structure and open the door for momentum toward the next target of $80,000.

BTC Total ETF Flows for 15 Feb: (data not available at the time of writing)

(ETF flow data is sourced from https://farside.co.uk/btc/ and reflects figures at the time of writing.)

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*All prices are denominated in USD unless stated otherwise*

Written by Alexandar Artis and James Ryan

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