The problem with cryptocurrency – and potentially the reason why it is so alluring – is that the future of Bitcoin can never be predicted. By nature, the cryptocurrency market is volatile, with several external and internal factors that can make prices go up or down.
In traditional trading terms, this kind of asset would prove to be “uninvestable”. When it comes to a traditional stock market, brokers can normally provide some kind of projection on where stocks might be going, when they might get there, and the risks that could threaten their climb. For cryptocurrency, however, much of this is unknowable.
Take the current crypto winter. Just last year, the prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum were sitting at $69,000 and $4,800, respectively, with many crypto experts expecting the mode of travel to only go up. Then came the unpegging debacle in June 2022, where the stablecoin Tether dropped below its $1 peg to $0.95, sending every other coin in the market to tumble in the fallout.
These kinds of events are almost impossible to predict, and, worryingly, it’s not as if they’re uncommon. There have been plenty of changes in the market that have caused coins to either drop or soar, whether it’s the Terra/LUNA de-peg, the federal reserve interest hikes, or even the current inflation fears for fiat currency.
Having said that, blockchain users across the world continue to invest in cryptocurrency. Bitcoin, especially, is seeing heavy gains despite its current lull. According to Business Insider Intelligence, it is estimated that there will be more than 25 million Bitcoin owners by the end of 2022, which would ultimately be a 16.7% growth compared to its growth in 2021.
Why Are People Investing In Bitcoin?
Despite the market volatility and the inability to accurately predict the future, cryptocurrency remains increasingly popular, with Bitcoin making up the bulk of new investments. This may be because, unlike other coins in the market, Bitcoin has a supply-and-demand system. This means that, although it is hard to predict cryptocurrency’s future, it is possible to predict Bitcoin’s future.
Bitcoin’s supply is predetermined. The creator of the whitepaper, Satoshi Nakamoto, designed the token to act as a digital version of gold. This means that the maximum supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, with a “halving” of the supply taking place every four years.
In this way, even though the market might have more incidences of unpredictability, Bitcoin’s value is still set to rise. As the quantity goes down – and the popularity of crypto’s ideology goes up – more users will want to invest, and tokens can be traded at an increasingly higher amount.
Bitcoin is also more accessible. Compared to many altcoins on the market, it has more exchanges, merchants, better software, and stronger hardware, making it far more liquid and attractive to investors. This makes it more of a stable investment. There is a feeling of security that an investor can attain with Bitcoin and a feeling that, no matter how cold the market gets, there is enough behind the token to keep it functioning.
How Has Bitcoin Faired In 2022?
But is it enough to invest in a coin that’s wider future in the crypto market remains unforeseeable? Well, many Bitcoin investors would argue that they can see glimpses into Bitcoin’s future. Of course, events like the de-pegging debacle are unforeseeable, but Bitcoin’s inherent nature can allow a trajectory to be plotted out.
In 2022, Bitcoin acted following the bear market. LUNA was worth $116 in April, but one month later, the price dropped to just a fraction of $1, causing a total of $40 billion in investor losses and a massive snowball effect to plow through the market as a whole. Frozen customer accounts in the Celsius Network also caused sudden bankruptcies and the value of the company to fall by 80%. Throughout this saga, Bitcoin fell from $45,538 in March 2022 to $19,784 by the end of June. This was concerning at the time, but what happened in July – just one month later – provided far more optimism.
Bitcoin fell along with the rest of the market during that three-month lull. The second quarter of 2022 was one of the worst years in crypto’s history, resulting in a 55% decline for Bitcoin. July, on the other hand, marked a moment of quiet and clarity. During this time, Bitcoin reverted on an upward trajectory, climbing to the $20,000 mark and ending the month at just above $24,500. This was 16.8% higher than the June closing price and was its best-performing month since October 2021.
Bitcoin In 2023
That month could be critical when examining Bitcoin’s future. While other altcoins, such as Ethereum or Tether, finished July with a decline, Bitcoin did not. This is despite external factors such as the Fed’s increasing interest rates and Biden’s announcement of the USA’s recession, both of which could have prompted a downward curve.
As mentioned before, It is the supply-and-demand structure that gives it this elasticity. While the market can tug and pull, Bitcoin consistently manages to spring back. In this way, Bitcoin will always be in a strong position, even if market volatility is causing its price to drop or its estimated value to be weakened. When the market stayed still in July, Bitcoin began to climb. Next year, in 2023, if the market starts to strengthen – as it is projected to – then Bitcoin could see even more of a dramatic increase.
Bitcoin’s supply-and-demand nature gives it an edge because it is destined to have more worth as the years go by. Only a total crypto crash would put a stop to that, and with more businesses beginning to embrace crypto-based infrastructures – as well as governments growing more accepting – that is highly unlikely. Even if the market doesn’t surge in 2023, Bitcoin’s next halving is due to take place in 2024, which means a price rise is almost definite. Despite any market turbulence, Bitcoin’s deflationary nature will likely always result in price appreciation for long-time investors. That is why – in terms of future predictions – Bitcoin makes such a desirable investment despite the volatility of the crypto market.
Does This Make investing in Bitcoin The Right Choice?
With all this being said, Bitcoin is not the only coin that can provide a worthwhile investment. Yes, the market is unpredictable, and there are moments of volatility that can put some coins in more long-term peril than others, but with the right trading strategy and keen attention to market fluctuation, alt-coin investors can still make a good return.
But Bitcoin’s position at the top of the blockchain pyramid is not to be underestimated. As of right now, it is far below its previous peak of $69,000, but several experts are predicting a post-halving value of $84,000, with a further $200,000 on top of that after the halving of 2028. These are very bullish predictions, however, so they should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The truth is, in a market that is built upon volatility, Bitcoin is one of the few coins which provides an essence of predictability. Or rather, it offers slight glimpses into the future that investors can latch onto and revolve their strategy around. This is why it proves to be a good investment.
FAQ’s
Would Bitcoin Be A Good First Investment?
For anyone new to crypto, the question of a good first investment must be thought through responsibly. This is not market to half-heartedly invest in. If you choose the wrong coin or put too much into one token, then a swing in the market could be very damaging. Although we have discussed Bitcoin’s basic predictability – as well as the fact it could make a good investment. Bit that does not mean that it is right as a starting point.
Despite experiencing a lull in price right now, it still has a higher value than any other coin on the market. In this way, it is a good idea to invest in a smaller altcoin. You’ll get a feel for the metaverse and practice some trading strategies without the risk of financial damage if those strategies do not work.
What Coins Might Be A Better Investment?
Better first-time coins might include XRP, which is sitting around the $1 mark. Ripple created it, and, despite some uncertainty around the company’s lawsuit with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, growing was in liquidity during the second quarter of 2022. Dogecoin could also be a good starting for investment. Although it started as a joke, tweets by billionaire Elon Musk allowed the coin to grow. It become a legitimate token within the cryptocurrency market.
Other possible starting coins include LINK, UNI, and ADA. All of them are fighting through the bear market and in a good position to come out strong on the other side. ADA, especially, has an upcoming upgrade – named Hydra – which could dramatically increase the processing feeds and trigger higher prices than it has ever seen before. All of these coins are currently hovering around the $1 mark. It means they provide potentially lucrative investments – so long as trading strategies are on point – with little risk.
What’s The Best Way To Trade Bitcoin?
If you want to invest in Bitcoin, many cryptocurrency trading apps make the process smooth and easy for new investors. It is important that you examine them all. Choose which exchange works best for you, and then establish an account with that exchange.
Then you should fund your account with fiat money and choose the token you want to buy – in this case, Bitcoin. And then place a buy order for that token.
What Is The Best Bitcoin Trading Strategy?
One of the most popular trading techniques is scalping. Especially for those who are looking for a quick and efficient return on their investment. This involves watching frequent price movements taking place over a short period. And ofcourse attaining daily profits with the aim of a substantial future return.
Other investors choose to hold their tokens, and this is a good tactic if you are looking to buy Bitcoin in particular. As mentioned previously, many experts are expecting Bitcoin’s price to fly over the next decade. Holding allows an investor to hold onto their assets and focus on a particular value goal. It does, however, require patience and appropriate risk management. Other trading strategies include swing trading, day trading, and arbitrage trading. Make sure to learn each technique and surround yourself with other traders. They can give you advice and help you to understand the complexities of the market.
Is The Future of Crypto Truly The Future Of Finance?
With the world becoming steadily more digitized – as well as an increasing appetite for decentralization and control of one’s funds. It is likely that cryptocurrency will become far more embedded in our lives sometime shortly. Governments across the world are working on regulations to make blockchain projects and coins more secure and stable. It could help hesitant users transition further down the line.
That isn’t to say that every government wants to support crypto, however. Many are working on their digital coin, to would assign it to a centralized bank. The world is hungry for change, and cryptocurrency offers the upgrade that they are looking for. It is more likely, that crypto will rise above government counterparts and have biggest impact after the introduction of Web3. Of course, the future is hard to predict. But coins like Bitcoin are not going anywhere anytime soon. They’re only just beginning.
