Cryptocurrency is a polarizing investment topic in the financial world. Cryptocurrencies have experienced rapid rises and falls.
Investors are asking, will crypto crash? The answer is that nobody really knows, but we can speculate.
Jamie Dimon on Bitcoin
Jamie Dimon is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial services firm with assets of $3.2 trillion and operations worldwide. Jamie Dimon has repeatedly slammed crypto currencies. For example, Dimon said the following in Davos,
“Bitcoin is a ‘pet rock’ that does nothing—except help with fraud and money laundering.”
Jamie Dimon is one of many vocal skeptics. BlackRock recently issued a warning after a $300 billion crypto crash, citing market volatility & lack of regulation.
Crypto Volatility
The Dutch tulip bulb market bubble, also known as Tulipmania, was one of the most famous market bubbles and crashes of all time. It occurred in Holland during the early to mid-1600s, when speculation drove the value of tulip bulbs to extremes. At the market’s peak, the rarest tulip bulbs traded for as much as six times the average person’s annual salary.
Today, the story of Tulipmania serves as a parable for the pitfalls that excessive greed and speculation in investing can lead to.
To further speculate, we need to explore the basics of cryptocurrency, understand the variety of digital currencies available, recognize the dangers associated with owning crypto, evaluate the ease of buying and selling, and examine the investing fees involved.
What is Crypto?
Cryptocurrency, commonly called crypto, is a type of digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (like the US dollar or the euro), cryptocurrencies operate on blockchain, a decentralized ledger of all transactions across a network of computers.
This decentralized nature makes cryptocurrencies theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation.
Who Invented Crypto?
Bitcoin, created in 2009 by an anonymous person (or group of people) using Satoshi Nakamoto's pseudonym, was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known. Since then, thousands of cryptocurrencies have been developed, each with unique features and purposes.
How Many Different Cryptocurrencies Are There?
As of 2024, over 22,000 different cryptocurrencies are available in the market. These range from well-established names like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to lesser-known and emerging tokens. Some of these cryptocurrencies are designed for specific uses, such as Ripple (XRP) for banking transactions or Tether (USDT), a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.
The sheer number of cryptocurrencies highlights both the innovation in the field and the speculative nature of the market. While many of these digital currencies have legitimate uses and strong communities, others are created as short-term speculative assets or even scams.
What Are the Dangers of Owning Crypto?
Owning cryptocurrency comes with several risks:
Volatility
Cryptocurrencies are notorious for their price volatility. It is not uncommon for a crypto asset to gain or lose 20% or more of its value in a single day. This volatility can lead to significant financial loss if investments are not carefully managed.
Security Risks
While blockchain technology is secure, the platforms and exchanges facilitating crypto trading can be vulnerable to hacks. Additionally, if you lose access to your private keys, you can permanently lose access to your funds.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Governments worldwide are still deciding how to regulate cryptocurrencies. Future regulations could impact the value and legality of owning or trading certain cryptocurrencies.
Scams and Fraud
The crypto space has seen a fair share of scams, from Ponzi schemes to fraudulent ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings). Investors need to be cautious and perform due diligence before investing.
Is it Hard to Buy and Sell Crypto?
Thanks to the proliferation of crypto exchanges, buying and selling cryptocurrency has become relatively straightforward. Platforms like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken allow users to easily buy, sell, and trade a wide range of cryptocurrencies. These platforms typically offer user-friendly interfaces, making it easy for beginners to start investing in Crypto.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Account Verification
Most reputable exchanges require users to verify their identity through a Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This can be time-consuming but is necessary for security and regulatory compliance.
Transaction Times
While some cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold almost instantaneously, others might take longer due to network congestion or the specific characteristics of the blockchain.
Are Investing Fees High?
Investing fees in the cryptocurrency market can vary widely depending on the platform and the type of transaction. Here are a few common fees associated with crypto investing:
Transaction Fees
Most exchanges charge a fee for buying and selling cryptocurrencies. This fee can be a flat rate or a percentage of the transaction amount.
Withdrawal Fees
Withdrawing cryptocurrency to a private wallet often incurs a fee. This fee varies by cryptocurrency and can sometimes be quite high.
Deposit Fees
Some exchanges charge fees for depositing funds into your account, especially if using a credit card or bank transfer.
Trading Fees
For active traders, exchanges might charge fees per trade, which can add up if you’re frequently buying and selling.
While some exchanges offer competitive fees, others might be higher than traditional stock trading platforms. It's important to compare fees across different platforms to find the most cost-effective option for your investing strategy.
Do I Think Crypto Will Crash?
I have never or will never own cryptocurrency. It's worse than the Dutch Tulips over 500 years ago because at least they were nice to look at. So yes, I think crypto will crash.
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