Crypto here, crypto there, crypto everywhere!
These days, there’s no escaping the cryptocurrency trend. Social media platforms are buzzing with updates by the minute; you probably even have a couple of friends who keep posting about how much their investments have grown after just a few short months.
Now the question is: should you invest as well? The simple answer to that is YES. For a more in-depth look at WHY, read on below.
The Earlier, the Better
Bitcoin, the first, the most popular, and the most valuable cryptocurrency as of the moment, was created in 2009. You might think that “more than a decade” is old in the world of investments, but crypto is actually still in its infancy stages.
In short, this is the perfect time to invest. While prices may seem high right now, they may go even higher in the future. It’s ideal to buy in as early as you can so you can also ride the crypto wave as it rises and eventually reap its benefits.
Crypto Is Growing Stronger
Like any other form of investment, cryptocurrency is not 100% risk-free. Nevertheless, blockchain—the technology behind crypto—is continuously improving and evolving. As you read this article, more financial infrastructures are being developed. This increases the confidence of investors and financial backers, which further strengthens cryptocurrency as a whole.
If you want proof of this confidence, consider that even the biggest financial institutions worldwide are already investing in crypto. PayPal has made it possible for users to buy and sell crypto using their platforms; meanwhile, Square (another payment services company) has invested millions in cryptocurrency. In early 2021, Elon Musk’s Tesla purchased more than USD 1 billion worth of Bitcoin.
Speaking of Bitcoin, some experts predict that it can soon be worth more than USD 100,000. With more investors buying in and more businesses adopting crypto, the industry is only poised to become stronger in the future.
It’s Easier Than Ever to Invest
Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t difficult or complicated to invest in crypto at all. As mentioned, you can now buy, sell, and hold crypto using PayPal. Locally, Maya has also been working on their crypto integration. For one, you can now use your Maya wallet for peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto transactions. They also have an interface that allows you to directly buy coins like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, or Tether.
In short, buying crypto is as easy as using your e-wallet!
Inflation Protection
One of the biggest reasons people invest in crypto today is the potential for huge gains in the future. What’s even better is that, like gold, cryptocurrency is largely safe from inflation. No matter what happens to the economy, its value will practically remain the same or even increase over time.
Another benefit of crypto is that it has a limited supply. The creator of Bitcoin, for example, has set a fixed number that can be mined: 21 million. Once there are 21 million Bitcoins in existence, there can’t be any more. This prevents the value of Bitcoin from being diluted by inflation or by too many coins circulating in the market.
Crypto Is Liquid
Some investments or assets are more liquid than others, which means they can be easily converted to cash. Crypto is one such type of investment. In fact, it’s one of the most liquid assets in the history of trading. This means that if you suddenly need a large amount of cash, you quickly “encash” your crypto coins.
Flexibility and Independence
Just like the internet, crypto trading is online 24/7 so you can buy and sell at any time. This means you can quickly buy into a currency the moment the prices dip. Another advantage of cryptocurrencies, especially popular ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, is that they’re more flexible and have higher utility. The more people trade with it, the more valuable it is.
Cryptocurrencies are also independent. They are decentralized, meaning there’s no single authority that makes all the decisions or rules about them. Instead, cryptocurrencies are largely peer-to-peer. If you want to trade with someone, you don’t have to ask for permissions or certifications. There are no unnecessary steps, which makes everything so much smoother.
Crypto Is Actually Very Secure
Some people are afraid to invest in crypto because they’re afraid of security breaches. However, and as previously mentioned, all kinds of investments have their own risks. With regards to crypto, the main concern of would-be investors is that their assets would be hacked.
The truth of the matter is that cryptocurrencies are quite difficult to hack. It’s not impossible but because blockchain is open-source and can be verified by the public, it’s more of a hassle for hackers to even make an attempt. Of course, you should also be aware of the usual hacking activities such as phishing and social engineering (e.g., asking leading questions so you’ll reveal personal details). As long as you practice good internet security habits, you can protect your investment.
The bottom line here is that crypto is almost like any other investment—there are always risks involved. Crypto is particularly uncertain because it’s very new. Still, as the saying goes, you won’t know if you don’t try. If you have money you can afford to lose and if you think you’re brave enough to confront the risks, then by all means invest in crypto. You might surprise yourself just with how much your initial capital can grow!
References:
3 Reasons to Invest in Crypto -- and 3 Reasons Not To | The Motley Fool
Is Cryptocurrency a Good Investment? | The Motley Fool
Question: Why Should Anyone Invest in Crypto? (investopedia.com)