The new year is only a few days old and there is already great enthusiasm among investors.
The reason is the price of Bitcoin, the most popular form of cryptocurrency, which has soared to record levels.
Bitcoin price was over $ 33,000 on Sunday, a record high before falling to over $ 31,000 on Monday morning. As of December 2018, Bitcoin was priced at nearly $ 3,200.
But what exactly is it and what does it mean for investors in the short and long term?
Here are a few questions about the rise of bitcoin.
What is cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that can be exchanged for goods and services.
It’s a similar concept to having tokens in arcades or casino chips and exchanging real money for them or having them cashed out for real money. A secure technology called blockchain processes transactions.
Just like with stocks and real estate, the way to profit from cryptocurrencies is to sell them at a higher price than you paid for them.
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How many types of cryptocurrencies are there?
There are thousands out there, but by far the most popular type of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which was valued at $ 421.7 billion on Dec. 18, according to NerdWallet. The second most popular is Ethereum at $ 73.2 billion.
Why are cryptocurrencies so attractive?
The reasons vary, but according to NerdWallet, the most popular reasons are:
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Cryptocurrency doesn’t require central banks to manage the money supply. Inflation is usually a problem in how these banks can reduce the value of money.
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Many believe that cryptocurrency is more secure than traditional payment systems.
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Many consider Bitcoin to be the currency of the future and want to buy it now.
Is Cryptocurrency a Good Investment?
Traditionally, this is not the case due to its volatile nature. Bitcoin was trading at nearly $ 20,000 in December 2017, dropped to just over $ 3,000 in early 2019, and has now exploded again.
People could be buying Bitcoin in droves now as a “FOMO” purchase. For those unfamiliar with the term “FOMO” it means “fear of missing out”.
However, in the short term, it could still be a great investment for people who have the money to buy at least one bitcoin, as experts still believe it is a bull market.
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In an article on CNN, Nicholas Pelecanos, head of trading at cryptocurrency firm NEM, said Bitcoin could soar to $ 50,000 by Valentine’s Day.
“I think we are only at the beginning of an immense bull market,” Pelecanos told CNN.
How can people buy cryptocurrency?
For those interested in buying Bitcoin or other forms of cryptocurrency, you will need an online app that may contain a currency called a “wallet”. An account can be created and real money transferred to buy cryptocurrencies.
Do you think cryptocurrency is worth investing in? Let us know in the comments below.
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