In 2017, a number of stocks have risen as astronomically as Bitcoin. Less well-known companies that trade in stock exchanges in Japan, Hong Kong and India have experienced rising shares by at least 1000%. In total, there are four of these stocks, when those with insufficient trading volume and tiny capitalizations are excluded, as well as stocks from economically troubled Venezuela.

The excellent performance of these stocks would suggest that the Bitcoin is not unique in its return on investment possibilities. Many would recommend these four stocks as viable investment alternatives to Bitcoin, as they are publicly traded, and do not exist in the opaque, uncharted cryptocurrency world.

Japan's Pepper Food Service Co. (TYO: 3053) is a restaurant chain famous for steak and pork cutlets. Its market value has risen to over $1 billion, from under $100 million at the beginning of 2017. Its supporters explain the Pepper Food Service Co's success by claiming it has hit the right note with customers and rose from the Tokyo Stock Exchange's second section to the first.

India's HEG Ltd. (NSE: HEG) has cruised the boom in graphite electrodes, which are necessary in the process of turning scrap into steel via electric arc furnaces. India's Indiabulls Ventures Ltd. (NSE: IBULHSGFIN) is a pioneer in online securities trading, and it has rapidly built out its consumer lending business, rising by 1162%. Finally, the China Investment Fund (HKG: 0612) trades in Hong Kong, and holds stakes in a "gold mine and auto parts company" in China. It climbed by 1230%, outperforming the rest of the three stocks previously mentioned.