Filecoin (FIL) Historical Price and Returns Analysis: Should I Buy FIL Now?

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of Filecoin’s historical prices and market fluctuations since its inception, combining data from bull and bear market phases to assess the potential returns for investors purchasing 10 FIL tokens. It addresses the critical question: “Should I buy Filecoin now?” to help both newcomers and long-term investors identify optimal entry points and growth opportunities.

Early Market Launch and Initial Cycles: Historical Price Review (2017 to 2022)

Filecoin is a token built on the IPFS network, designed to incentivize miners through a novel proof-of-work algorithm. Miners are rewarded based on their contributed hard drive capacity—the larger the storage capacity, the greater the FIL rewards earned. According to market records, Filecoin’s earliest trading price was approximately $15.00 in 2017.

Below are the price movements of Filecoin during its early market phases:

2017

• Opening Price: $15.00
• Closing Price: $20.47
• Highest Price: $24.60
• Lowest Price: $10.14
• Annual Return: 36.47%

2018

• Opening Price: $26.42
• Closing Price: $3.72
• Highest Price: $26.56
• Lowest Price: $3.10
• Annual Return: -85.90%

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%

2022

• Opening Price: $30.20
• Closing Price: $3.11
• Highest Price: $30.39
• Lowest Price: $2.96
• Annual Return: -89.71%

An investor who purchased 10 FIL tokens during the early bull market phase in 2017 would face a potential loss of $137.33 if selling today.

Bear Market Adjustments and Medium-Term Cycles: Returns and Risk Analysis (2023 to 2024)

During this period, Filecoin experienced significant price volatility, with the token undergoing substantial corrections from its previous highs before showing modest recovery signs.

The potential returns for investors who purchased 10 FIL tokens during bear market or consolidation phases are as follows:

• 2023: -$21.80
• 2024: -$43.56

Recent Market Cycle: Should I Buy Filecoin Now? (2025 to 2026)

In recent years, Filecoin has entered a prolonged downtrend, with market discussions centered on whether the asset has reached capitulation lows or continues to face headwinds.

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: $1.46
• Closing Price: $1.27
• Highest Price: $1.46
• Lowest Price: $1.25
• Annual Return: -13.10%

The potential returns for investors purchasing 10 FIL tokens during this recent period are as follows:

• 2025: -$38.20
• 2026 (To Date): -$1.91

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

Through analysis of Filecoin’s historical prices and potential returns over nearly a decade, the data reveals a sustained downtrend from its 2021 peak of $182.86 to current levels below $1.50. Investors entering at various points have predominantly experienced negative returns, suggesting the asset has not yet established conditions favorable for new capital deployment. Whether “now” is the right time to purchase Filecoin remains dependent on individual risk tolerance and conviction in the long-term utility of the IPFS ecosystem.