RIOT vs VTI: which was the better investment?
Riot Platforms, Inc. against Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 31, 2016 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did RIOT beat VTI?
Yes — measured from Mar 31, 2016 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, RIOT came out ahead: $83,313 versus $41,964 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 22.9% annual return against 15.0%.
What would $10,000 in RIOT be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) on Mar 31, 2016 would be worth about $83,313 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 733.1% (22.9% per year). The same $10,000 in VTI would be worth $41,964.
Which was riskier — RIOT or VTI?
RIOT swung with an annualized volatility of 111.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -98.3%; VTI ran at 18.2% volatility with a -35.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.19 for RIOT vs 0.71 for VTI.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 31, 2016 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with RIOT vs VTI. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.