Top 5 Investment Options with the Smallest Initial Investment to Reach $1 Million

Recent research by Taurex reveals the assets that required the least initial investment to make someone a millionaire by 2025. The study shows how $2,200 invested in NVIDIA in 2006 would have grown to $1 million by today. Among other top contenders, Bitcoin, Tesla, and Dogecoin also make the list, showcasing the power of early investments in emerging technologies and digital assets.

A recent report by Taurex highlighted the best-performing investment options, focusing on the least initial capital required to make $1 million by 2025. The findings reveal some surprising results, with stocks like NVIDIA, Tesla, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Dogecoin taking centre stage.

The research spans over a range of assets, from established tech giants to the world of digital currencies, revealing how strategic investments in the early days of these assets could have made investors millionaires today. The data demonstrates the incredible growth potential of some assets, with returns far outpacing traditional investments like gold and the S&P 500.

"Investing has never been easier than it is right now. You can buy stocks, cryptocurrencies, and even gold from your phone in under a minute. Cryptocurrency, in particular, has taken off with younger investors. And for many who got in early, it proved to be the right move. Some cryptocurrencies have beaten traditional investments like gold by big margins. Even coins that started as internet jokes ended up making real money for people who took a shot on them," says a senior market analyst from Taurex.

Top 5 investment options with the least initial investment to reach $1 Million by 2025

Taurex’s study tracked various assets from their first available trading day, comparing them with their 2025 prices to calculate the initial investment required to reach $1 million. The findings cover everything from stocks to cryptocurrencies, with the following being the most profitable options.

NVIDIA corporation: A $2,200 investment transforms into $1 Million

NVIDIA tops the list with the smallest initial investment needed to reach $1 million. An investor who purchased shares in March 2006 for just $0.44 each would have seen their initial $2,215 stake grow into $1 million by 2025. This represents a staggering 452x return over 19 years, making NVIDIA the best-performing investment choice among all the assets analysed.

A total of 5,033 shares would have been purchased with the initial investment, and those shares would now be worth $198 each in 2025. The exponential growth of the company’s stock reflects its dominance in the technology and gaming sectors, with significant advancements in AI and graphics processing units (GPUs).

Tesla: Electric dreams become million-dollar realities

Tesla is another top performer, with an initial $3,846 investment at its 2010 IPO turning into $1 million by 2025. Tesla’s stock price surged from $1.71 per share at the start to $444 by 2025, offering a 260x return over 15 years. Early investors who took a chance on Tesla bought about 2,250 shares, now worth a combined total of $1 million.

Tesla’s remarkable growth reflects the company's pioneering role in the electric vehicle (EV) industry and its significant impact on renewable energy solutions. With the rise of EV adoption and the global push towards sustainable energy, Tesla has proven to be one of the most profitable tech stocks in recent history.

Bitcoin: The cryptocurrency that shattered expectations

Bitcoin ranks third, requiring an investment of $4,483 to reach $1 million by 2025. The cryptocurrency, which started trading at $457 in 2014, has skyrocketed in value to $102,000 by the end of 2025. This represents a remarkable growth trajectory, far outpacing many traditional stocks and offering a 22x return over the past 11 years.

Those who invested in Bitcoin early and bought around 10 bitcoins for under $4,500 would now find themselves holding a portfolio worth $1 million. Bitcoin’s rapid rise to prominence has transformed it from a niche digital asset to a globally recognised store of value, sparking significant interest among both individual investors and institutions.

Netflix: From DVD rentals to streaming success

Netflix, which began at $7.02 per share in 2002, would require an investment of $6,423 to make $1 million by 2025. The streaming giant’s stock has increased to $1,092 by 2025, reflecting a 156x return over 23 years. Early investors who bought Netflix shares at its IPO would have accumulated around 915 shares, now worth millions.

Netflix's transformation from a DVD rental service to a global streaming powerhouse is a testament to the company's innovation in the entertainment industry. As Netflix continues to dominate the streaming space, its early investors have seen their stakes grow into substantial fortunes.

Dogecoin: From meme coin to million-dollar investment

Despite being initially created as a joke, Dogecoin has become one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrencies. Launched in 2017 at just $0.0013 per coin, Dogecoin now trades at $0.16 by 2025. To reach $1 million, investors needed to commit $7,959, buying approximately 6 million coins. This represents a 126x return in just 8 years.

Dogecoin’s rise can be attributed to a combination of factors, including strong social media presence and endorsements from celebrities such as Elon Musk. Though it started as a meme, Dogecoin has shown impressive growth, challenging traditional notions of what a valuable asset can be.