How each is calculated
Lump sum: coins = investment ÷ buy price. Cost is that single price.
DCA: coins = Σ(amount ÷ price per period). Cost is the smoothed, weighted average.
To compare fairly, keep the total invested identical and use the same price path for both.
Same price path compared (recompute it yourself)
Let the price rise linearly from 30,000 to 60,000, with 5,200 USDT invested either way:
Lump sum at the start: coins = 5,200 ÷ 30,000 = 0.173333, final value = 0.173333 × 60,000 = 10,400 USDT, a 100% return.
DCA over 52 weeks: coins ≈ 0.120339, final value ≈ 7,220 USDT, roughly +38.85%.
Along a steadily rising path the lump sum wins because it bought at the lowest point. Change the path to fall-then-recover or to keep falling and the conclusion flips — which shows the difference comes from the price path, not from one method being inherently superior.
Scope of the conclusion
This page compares cost structures mathematically. It does not forecast prices or recommend either approach.
Real-world choices depend on cash-flow stability, tolerable drawdown and holding horizon — questions arithmetic cannot answer.
FAQ
Is DCA always better than a lump sum?
No. In a rising market a lump sum usually does better; in a falling market DCA draws down less. It depends on the path.
How do I compare them here?
Use the DCA calculator for the staged plan, then the profit calculator with the start price as the buy and the end price as the sell for a lump sum, keeping total invested equal.