The 4 Biggest Misconceptions About Bitcoin

Historically, no asset has been better at making investors money over time than the stock market. Looking back decades, stocks tend to average an annual return of 7%, inclusive of dividend reinvestment and adjusted for inflation. This beats out commodities like oil and gold, income options like bonds and CDs, and it handily trounces the appreciation in home prices. In fact, this data suggests that the average stock market investor should see his or her portfolio double around once a decade. That's a truly phenomenal return.

But to cryptocurrencies investors, a 7% annual return can be achievable in the blink of an eye. In fact, the aggregate market value of the more than 1,300 cryptocurrencies combined has jumped from $17.7 billion at the beginning of the year to $388 billion as of Dec. 9. In a bit over 11 months, we've witnessed a lifetime's worth of gains -- or, to be more specific, a return of 2,100%.

Image source: Getty Images.

Source: Fool.com