What You Would Have Now If You'd Bought XRP With Your $1,200 Stimulus Check In 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the U.S. government responded with a series of stimulus checks to help Americans weather the financial storm. While most recipients used the funds to cover essential expenses, some saw a rare opportunity to invest in digital assets like XRP. Five years later, the returns on such a move would be nothing short of remarkable.

A Look Back at the COVID-19 Stimulus Checks

In March 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law, launching the first round of relief payments. Eligible individuals received up to $1,200, while married couples received $2,400, plus $500 per child under 17. By the end of that month, the U.S. government had issued nearly 162 million payments, distributing over $270 billion.

A second round of payments was approved in December 2020 under the COVID-related Tax Relief Act. This time, individuals received up to $600, and married couples received $1,200. The benefit for children increased to $600 per dependent. These payments reached Americans through direct deposits, checks, and prepaid debit cards starting in late December.

Though many used these funds to manage bills and everyday expenses, an investment in XRP during these periods would have yielded astonishing gains.

The XRP Investment Scenario

When the first stimulus checks were delivered in April 2020, XRP was priced around $0.18. Investing the full $1,200 would have bought you approximately 6,666 XRP tokens.

@media only screen and (min-width: 0px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-6a57f7be-8f6e-4deb-ae2c-5477f86653a5"]{width:320px;height:100px;} } @media only screen and (min-width: 728px) and (min-height: 0px) { div[id^="wrapper-sevio-6a57f7be-8f6e-4deb-ae2c-5477f86653a5"]{width:728px;height:90px;} }

By the time the second round of checks arrived in December 2020, XRP was trading at about $0.20. A $600 investment then would have added another 3,000 XRP to your holdings.

In total, a combined investment of $1,800 across both rounds of stimulus payments would have secured you 9,666 XRP. Fast forward to today, July 2025, with XRP trading around $3.20, those tokens would now be worth roughly $31,000.

That’s a staggering 1,622% return on investment, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 77%.

XRP vs. Bitcoin: Which Would Have Performed Better?

To provide perspective, let’s compare XRP’s performance with Bitcoin (BTC) over the same timeframe. In April 2020, Bitcoin was priced at around $6,800. By December 2020, it had climbed to $26,000. If you had invested $1,200 and $600 in BTC during those two windows, you would have acquired roughly 0.1994 BTC.

With Bitcoin now valued at approximately $118,000, your BTC investment would be worth about $23,538, impressive, but still lower than XRP’s $31,000. This comparison highlights how XRP outpaced even the largest and most established cryptocurrency over the past five years, at least from this investment angle.

Timeless Wisdom From Investment Icons

The idea of investing unexpected windfalls aligns with principles shared by legendary investors. Warren Buffett famously advised: “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” His philosophy underscores the importance of prioritizing long-term financial growth.

Likewise, Bill Gross, co-founder of PIMCO, emphasized the value of having cash ready for the right opportunity. Strategic patience, coupled with preparedness, often separates average outcomes from extraordinary success.

In hindsight, the COVID-19 stimulus checks provided a golden chance for such investment foresight, and XRP turned out to be one of the most lucrative paths.

Final Thoughts

This retrospective serves as a powerful reminder of how even modest investments, made at the right time, can lead to life-changing returns. While the future of crypto remains unpredictable, the XRP stimulus scenario shows the potential rewards of taking calculated risks and thinking ahead.

In the world of investing, timing, preparation, and vision often make all the difference.

Disclaimer*: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.*