Bitcoin Investment Analysis: Safety, Risks, and Market Trends Report

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Added on  2021/04/05

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This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Bitcoin as an investment, evaluating its safety, market dynamics, and future prospects. It explores the cryptocurrency's volatility, recent price spikes, and the underlying technology of blockchain. The report discusses the risks associated with Bitcoin, including market uncertainty, potential for fraud, and lack of regulation. It also examines the potential rewards, such as the increasing acceptance of Bitcoin by major companies and the possibility of high returns. The report highlights the importance of conducting thorough research, diversifying investments, and understanding the risks before investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Various aspects of the cryptocurrency market are discussed, including stablecoins, new cryptocurrencies, and different platforms for purchasing Bitcoin. Finally, it offers insights into making informed investment decisions.
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Invest in Bitcoin - Is it Safe?
This article would be helpful if you are uncertain if digital currencies such as bitcoin and
ethereum are a decent asset category to invest in.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, praised by proponents as a market-disrupting liberation
and demonised by opponents as a risky, unpredictable invention, are never far from the press.
The price of bitcoin reached $20,000 for the first time on December 16, 2020. Its worth
exploded past $34,000 on January 3, 2021, indicating a benefit of nearly $5,000 in the first
few days of the year. The cryptocurrency's valuation then briefly reached a record peak of
$48,000 on February 9, 2021, after electric-car manufacturer Tesla announced that it had
purchased $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency and promised to begin accepting it as payment
for automobiles.
The coin rallied to a new record high on Sunday, February 21, peaking at $58,354, before
plummeting two days later to $44,845.72, a loss of 18.4% for the day and a drop of nearly a
quarter from Sunday. The coin had swung back up to $48,739. At the time of writing [March
2], it had swung back up to $48,739. 20
Experts assume the recent price spikes are the result of an influx of capital from retail and
private investors, caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The ecosystem of bitcoin and other cryptocurrency is veiled in darkness. The assumed
individual or persons who invented bitcoin, built and implemented bitcoin's initial
deployment programme, and devised the first blockchain database are known as Satoshi
Nakamoto.
What exactly is bitcoin, and how does it function?
After all, converting money from one online bank account to another is just what the idea of
digital currencies like bitcoin that people send online is all for. To do that, cryptocurrencies
use blockchain technology, which is a means of sending data across the internet. However,
unlike conventional currencies such as the US dollar and the British pound, cryptocurrencies
are "decentralised," ensuring they are not governed by a financial body such as the
government or central banks.
This has the following advantages: Cryptocurrencies are universal, which means that their
worth is the same in all nations. This feature makes it much easier to send money around the
world without having to worry about exchange rates.
Investing in something poses a chance of losing capital, but the greatest downside of
cryptocurrencies is their severe uncertainty. There have also been cases of people having to
wait for their money due to technological difficulties.
What are the three most common cryptocurrencies?
Bitcoin, the most well-known and first global cryptocurrency, emerged in 2009 and continues
to dominate the market. As of March 2, its market capitalisation, or overall value, was $910
billion. With respective market values of $179 billion and $39 billion as of March 2,
Ethereum and Cardano are listed second and seventh, respectively.
Since 2009, a slew of new cryptocurrencies known as altcoins have appeared on the scene.
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What has been the output of the bitcoin price?
Bitcoin's price has been steadily rising since September 2020, fueled by investor demand as
well as reports that PayPal would encourage US customers to buy and sell the cryptocurrency
inside its app next year, and Tesla has stated that it will begin accepting bitcoin as payment
for its automobiles. As of March 2, one bitcoin is worth $48,739.20.
The blockchain has already made gradual progress, such as at the end of 2017 before crashing
in 2018. (see graph below, which was produced in January 2020).
The cryptocurrency market's most distinguishing feature is its extreme uncertainty. To
translate bitcoin values into investment benefit and loss terms, you will be sitting on a 300
percent profit by the end of 2020 if you had invested at the start of the year. If you had saved
at the beginning of the year and sold on New Year's Eve, you would have lost 73 percent of
your investment as the bitcoin price plummeted.
You're not alone if you're concerned about the market dynamics that allow these rates to
fluctuate so drastically. Although the valuation of these currencies is usually related to supply
and demand as well as the number of rivals, it is also difficult to pinpoint the exact factors
that affect their unpredictable conduct. This raises the risk of investing in digital currencies
even higher!
What are some of the newest cryptocurrencies to keep an eye on?
Litecoin, bitcoin cash, and EOS are examples of new, smaller cryptocurrencies. While it
might be enticing to invest in cryptocurrency beginners, you should proceed with caution. Far
more risky than bitcoin are smaller altcoins. They are, in reality, purely speculative
investments. If you're tempted, experts suggest spending just a limited portion of your
money: 5% or less.
How dangerous is it to invest in cryptocurrencies?
Consider if you can purchase a house in Rapid City, South Dakota before investing in
cryptocurrency. This city in the United States has a population of just over 75,000 residents
and is said to have some of the most extreme weather on the planet, with snow blizzards and
summery thunderstorms happening without warning before it calms down and temperatures
increase drastically the next day. Rapid City's weather is a fitting metaphor for bitcoin's and
other cryptocurrency's behaviour: it can be completely insane.
If you should plan to invest, be mindful that you can risk any or all of your funds.
Cryptocurrency is not the same as traditional trading.
Cryptocurrencies were dubbed a "Wild West market" by lawmakers in 2018. They are still
unregulated by the UK watchdog, which adds to the risk. From January 6, 2021, the Financial
Conduct Authority will bar financial institutions from selling complex instruments that
speculate on cryptocurrency movements to retail customers: contracts for variance, spreadbet
options, futures, and exchange traded notes that depend on digital currencies will be
forbidden.
Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, recently expressed his concern about
people using bitcoin to make payments. He has previously warned cryptocurrency investors
that they should plan to "lose all of their assets."
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Is it smart to invest in bitcoin?
Bitcoin is considered to be at the (extremely) risky end of the investing continuum.
Cryptocurrency rates are volatile; some may go bankrupt, some may be scams, and others can
rise in value and make a profit for investors.
“Cryptocurrencies could stay niche, become commonplace, disappear without trace, or
something in between,” says Danny Cox of financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown.
“Any investment should be seen as very high risk.”
Mark Hipperson, CEO of cryptocurrency platform Ziglu, makes the argument for digital
currencies being popular. “With more and more major companies embracing crypto, such as
Tesla and Starbucks, [Starbucks is exploring a way for users of its smartphone app to pay for
coffee and food with the cryptocurrency Bakkt Cash, for example], there now seems to be no
chance that crypto will be allowed in as many ways as conventional currencies one day
soon.”
Do your homework before investing, and don't put all your eggs in one basket for one
business or one cryptocurrency: spread your funds around to spread the risk, and just spend
what you can expect to lose.
Is there a way to invest in crypto that is less risky?
According to Gavin Brown, associate professor of financial technology at the University of
Liverpool, "stablecoins" may be a less expensive way to invest in cryptocurrencies.
“Stablecoins are still developing and have the ability to overcome the problems of cryptoasset
instability and reputation. Stablecoins, unlike cryptos, are backed by real money, much like
normal currencies,” he adds.
Two of them are DAI and TUSD, all of which are backed by the US dollar (one coin is worth
$1). DAI is hosted on the Maker (MKR) website, and he claims that crypto systems are better
to invest in than traditional currencies. “Risk is therefore minimal, but gains are either low to
non-existent.”
Brown mentions tether, the most common stablecoin, which is backed by a dollar per coin.
“During the [first] lockdown of the pandemic, Tether not only retained its status as the
highest stablecoin, but it also more than increased its market cap – from $4.6 billion to $9.2
billion [it is now worth $22 billion as of January 4].” It indicates the uncertainty has
decreased.” He goes on to say that new buyers shouldn't expect tether to be the next big thing.
“It would never be worth more than a dollar in principle. However, having tether in any
complex portfolio could be an attractive alternative – it could have a bit of flexibility if
[other] stuff start to suffer.”
Long-term investments in businesses involved with cryptocurrency, according to Brown,
could also be less costly. Shares in Facebook, which is preparing to introduce a currency
named Diem (formerly Libra), JPMorgan, which has a digital JPM coin that is pegged to the
US dollar, and Wells Fargo, which is creating a US dollar-linked stablecoin, are only a few
examples.
Few funds and investment trusts already have cryptocurrency exposure, which is a less
expensive form of buying than trading the currencies directly.
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How to Purchase Bitcoin
What are the best places to purchase cryptocurrencies?
Coinbase and Binance are two of the biggest bitcoin exchanges in the world. They're
advertised as a safe and inexpensive way for new consumers to buy cryptocurrencies
including bitcoin. Ziglu, a digital currency app, and eToro, an investment site, are two other
sites to shop.
Gemini is a digital platform that enables consumers to purchase, sell, and store
cryptocurrencies. It was created by the Winklevoss brothers (of Facebook fame). The
Financial Conduct Authority recently granted it an operating licence, and it is supervised by
the New York State Department of Financial Services.
4 THINGS TO Remember ABOUT Cryptocurrencies BEFORE INVESTING
I've put on my coaching cap, y'all. I'm sure I'll get a little worked up! There are a few things
you should note before saying goodbye to your dollars and hello to Bitcoin or Ether.
1. Bitcoins are subject to market swings. Cryptocurrencies have extreme ups and downs in
their value. Bitcoin's worth fluctuated between $900 and $20,000 in 2017! 2 The price
declines as someone sneezes! Investing in bitcoin is, to put it mildly, dangerous. Of course,
any investment involves some amount of risk. However, you should always avoid taking
needless risks, particularly with your hard-earned cash. Playing poker for your financial
future is not a smart idea.
2. There are a lot of unanswered questions. There is also a lot to be sorted out in terms of
how cryptocurrencies function. Consider this: no one knows who the Bitcoin creator is! Just a
tiny portion of the world's population comprehends the device and understands how to run it.
You are weak because you are unaware. I still tell people that if they can't justify their
finances to a 10-year-old, they shouldn't invest in them at all. You're setting yourself up to
make a blunder.
3. Bitcoin may be used to commit fraud. People who wish to stay anonymous to escape
bank or government oversight will use cryptocurrencies to conduct shady black market
transactions. Money laundering is a problem in the blockchain community as well. Now,
please understand that I am not implying that someone who uses cryptocurrencies is a bad
individual. However, I agree that the crypto community is a perfect environment for someone
who wishes to participate in illegal activities while escaping detection.
4. The rate of return on cryptocurrency is unproven. Cryptocurrency trading is akin to
gambling. There is no trend to the rise and fall of its value when it is traded peer to peer
without any links to regulatory norms. Growth stock mutual funds help you to forecast
improvements and calculate returns, but you can't do the same for them. There really isn't
enough evidence or legitimacy to build a long-term cryptocurrency investment strategy.
What CRYPTOCURRENCY SHOULD I INVEST IN?
Here's how it works: If you're debt-free, have a three- or six-month emergency fund, and are
currently spending 15% of your profits in growth equity mutual funds—which are hundreds
of times safer than crypto—then you may want to experiment with cryptocurrencies.
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However, I must caution you: If you invest in cryptocurrency, be prepared to say goodbye to
your capital. It's not a healthy strategy for accumulating money. Thousands of millionaires
are in agreement with me.
What are the expenses involved?
There are many costs involved with purchasing bitcoin and other cryptos – and selling them
again – including processing fees, deposit fees, redemption fees, exchange fees, and escrow
fees, which are usually a few percent of the overall transaction value.
What about establishing a bitcoin fund?
Several firms are trying to introduce bitcoin funds, but they have so far run into regulatory
issues. Its key goal will be to simplify the cryptocurrency investment phase and make the
asset class more appealing. It would also be volatile, but selling your investment and getting
your money back could be better than investing directly.
With current investment vehicles, there are a few opportunities for having exposure to
cryptocurrencies. For eg, in December 2020, the investment trust Ruffer Investment
Company announced that it had allocated 2.5 percent of its portfolio to bitcoin. If you're more
involved in blockchain technologies, the Invesco Elwood Global Blockchain exchange traded
fund tracks a basket of firms considered to have the "potential to invest in the blockchain
economy" using the Elwood Blockchain Global Equity tracker. Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing and Samsung are among the top ten assets.
What Is the Reliability of Cryptocurrency?
Blockchain technology is commonly used to create cryptocurrencies. The way transactions
are registered in "blocks" and time stamped is represented by blockchain. It's a lengthy,
technical operation, but the end product is a secure digital ledger with cryptocurrency
transactions that hackers can't alter.
Transactions often necessitate a two-factor authentication method. To begin a transaction,
you might be asked to enter a username and password. Then you will be asked to enter an
authentication code sent to your personal mobile phone via text message.
Though security mechanisms are in place, this does not mean that cryptocurrencies are
impenetrable to hackers. In reality, many high-profile hackers have wreaked havoc on
cryptocurrency businesses. In 2018, hackers took $534 million from Coincheck and $195
million from BitGrail. According to Investopedia, this made them two of the largest
cryptocurrency hacks of 2018.
4 Secure Cryptocurrency Investment Tips
Investments are still unpredictable, but according to Consumer Studies, some analysts assume
blockchain is one of the riskier investing strategies accessible. Digital currencies, on the other
hand, are among the hottest assets. CNBC predicted earlier this year that the blockchain
industry would hit $1 trillion in valuation by the end of 2018. If you're worried of investing in
cryptocurrency, these pointers can help you make better decisions.
Research Partnerships
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Know from cryptocurrency exchanges before you spend a single dollar. This websites allow
users to purchase and sell digital coins, but according to Bitcoin.com, there are 500 different
exchanges to select from. Before making a decision, do your homework, read reviews, and
chat with more seasoned investors.
Know How to Properly Store Your Cryptocurrencies
You must store cryptocurrency if you purchase it. You can hold it on an exchange or in a
digital "wallet," such as one of the crypto wallets listed in our blog post Which
cryptocurrency wallet should I use? Although there are various types of wallets, each has its
own collection of advantages, technological specifications, and security features. You can
study the storage options before buying, just as you will for exchanges.
Invest in a variety of items.
Diversification is an essential part of any successful investment plan, and that's no different
when it comes to cryptocurrencies. Don't place any of your funds in Bitcoin simply because
it's the word you're comfortable with. There are thousands of opportunities, and it's best to
diversify the portfolio by investing in several currencies.
Be ready for the unexpected.
Be aware that the cryptocurrency market is highly competitive, so expect ups and downs.
Prices can fluctuate dramatically. Cryptocurrency can not be a good fit for you if your
financial account or mental health can't accommodate it.
Cryptocurrency is actually all the rage, but bear in mind that it is still in its infancy. Investing
in the new comes with its own collection of challenges, so be informed. If you want to join,
do your homework first and begin with a small investment.
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