What is Bitcoin? / What do you need to invest in bitcoin? |
How to invest in bitcoin in 5 Steps / is bitcoin a good investment? / Different ways to invest in bitcoin
Over the past few years, Bitcoin has become increasingly popular among today's investors. During that same time, there has been a lot of controversy about bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—its supporters argue that it is the future of currency and investment, while its critics argue that it is a risky investment option that may not generate significant returns.
To better understand their true value in the market, we should look at their latest movements. More recently, Bitcoin's valuation has risen more than 763% in just one year, easily surpassing traditional stock market gains. More people are buying into bitcoin becoming a decentralized global currency. One tailwind, in particular, is the acceptance of bitcoin by many high-profile individuals and companies.
Elon Musk, the brain behind both Tesla and SpaceX, recently announced that his automotive empire will not only buy bitcoin 1.5 billion in bitcoin, but also intends to accept the cryptocurrency as payment in the future. Several well-known fintech companies such as Square and PayPal have also announced their intentions to support cryptocurrencies going forward. Despite all that, however, the most significant development for bitcoin may be the recent IPO (initial public offering) of Coinbase Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: coin), today's leading cryptocurrency exchange platform.
There's no doubt about it: the momentum in bitcoin is definitely building. Recent developments have contributed to bitcoin's meteoric rise in value, and supporters of the asset are convinced that this is only the beginning.
So, what exactly is Bitcoin, and how can you determine if it is the right investment for you? Read our beginner's guide on how to invest in bitcoin.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin was created by a programmer or group of programmers using the name "Satoshi Nakamoto."But the true creator (s) of bitcoin is still unknown to the public.
Bitcoin is one of the most widely used types of cryptocurrency. Virtual "coins" or "tokens" are used in the cryptocurrency system instead of physical cash. Coins have no intrinsic value, and are not backed by gold or silver.
Bitcoin was created to solve two significant cryptocurrency flaws. First, it is designed to prevent the recurrence of cryptocurrencies by fraud. Think about how easy it is to make copies of your computer's data-documents, photos, files, etc. Cryptocurrency would not be possible if anyone could replicate a coin and create an unlimited amount of currency for themselves. You can't just make copies of a bi HN 20 bill, right? Similarly, there is a need to prevent people from reproducing cryptocurrencies.
Understanding blockchain technology
Bitcoin uses a digital technology called "blockchain," an advanced coding mechanism that distributes a single token to thousands of different computers. For example, let's say your coin is built from the code "xda146 DC."The blockchain breaks the code into smaller pieces and stores the pieces of code across many computers. If a hacker wants to access the code, they will have to hack different computers to access the entire code.
Blockchain also uses a "public ledger", which uses thousands of computers (referred to as" nodes") to keep track of coins and their owners. If the currency data is changed, the nodes will refer to their records to check if the change is accurate and that the owner of the currency initiated it.
Pros of bitcoin investing
The main benefit of bitcoin investing is that you may be able to generate a huge return on profit, possibly up to 200% or more. Of course, this is something difficult to achieve, but it is possible.
If you buy a large amount of bitcoin, you may be able to take advantage of the rising market and sell your coins for a much higher value when there are a lot of buyers. There is also a slight possibility that bitcoin will really become the currency of the future or a more popular current asset, and you hope to generate returns from long-term holdings. However, it should be noted that bitcoin values are generally decreasing every year.
Your success may depend on correctly "timing the market"."In other words, you will buy coins when they are at a low price and sell them when they are at the highest possible price. High-risk investors who pay close attention to the market may be able to generate tremendous returns when using this strategy. They may even generate returns that are highly unlikely in the world of corporate stocks or government bonds. To this end, Bitcoin is incredibly liquid. According to shun Heng, vice president of growth and operations at coin market cap, " Bitcoin is one of the most liquid investment assets it can be and is more liquid than any other cryptocurrency."As a result, any realized can actually be realized almost immediately.
Cons Bitcoin Investment
Unfortunately, the high volatility of bitcoin makes it a risky investment, and you may lose money if you are not careful.
"Depending on the amount I've seen in recent months about bitcoin, it may seem like one of the best investments to make," says Jim Pendergast, altlin's senior vice president, but the government policy campaign is making Bitcoin drop in value, especially now.”
Bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrency are also at high risk from "pump and dump"schemes. Predatory investors will reach out to amateur or humble investors and convince them to pour a lot of money into bitcoin. The resulting increase causes bitcoin prices to rise rapidly.
Predatory investors are smart, and they sell all their holdings before the purchase increase ends, bringing huge profits. But when investors stop buying, the value of currencies drops to very low prices. A coin bought for $200 can end up having a valuation only.30. The unknowing investors would throw their money away.