Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cryptocurrency, Investing Myths Debunked
What started as an underground asset class for the computer savvy has turned into a household name. Interest in cryptocurrencies has exploded, and with it, some myths and misconceptions about the space.
If you have ventured beyond Yahoo News or the Wall Street Journal to learn how to invest in cryptocurrency, information within the universe can appear off-the-wall and disingenuous—making it look like a poor investment choice. But, with gains in the 1000% percentile, it’s hard to ignore completely. So here are some of the top cryptocurrency myths debunked.
Cryptocurrencies are a Scam – FALSE
Financial fraud dates back to the creation of money. Here is a fun fact, in 193 A.D., the Praetorian Guard auctioned off the Roman Empire (which they didn’t own), to Julianus for 250 gold pieces for each member of the army (equivalent to approximately more than $1 billion today). Julianus was never recognized as emperor and the new sitting emperor executed the guards.
First of all, crypto (when invested using a credible platform) is generally not a scam—despite the many naysayers across various social media channels. While cryptocurrency investing doesn’t have the heavy regulations of other investment types, it is believed that federal regulations for crypto are in the works. Like any other investment, it is always recommended for investors to do their due diligence and research to protect themselves from bad players and other dishonest entities.
Obtaining meaningful research from the cryptocurrency universe can be challenging at first, but it is not impossible. It’s recommended to keep things simple by starting with credible sources, such as relevant online publications from notable names within the segment, including Bitcoin Magazine, Crypto Briefing, and Blockchain Magazine. Another way to prevent a bad or fraudulent situation is to invest through a trusted platform, such as BitcoinIRA, which offers over 60 types of cryptos via both a web experience and convenient mobile app.
Too Much Anonymity – Mostly FALSE
Over the years, cryptocurrencies have been touted as a way for people to launder money because of their anonymity. However, this is false for most cryptocurrencies, including $BTC and $ETH. Simply put, cryptocurrencies are built on a linked public ledger. For example, the information in block B contains some information from block A, and information from block B is inserted into block C as it is formed—creating the digital blockchain.
If any information in any block is disturbed, the chain is no longer in agreement with the information present, and the chain becomes invalid. Of course, there is much more to this, but the linked ledger makes it impossible to alter the sequence of transaction information to hide one’s activities. The means that authorities can more easily track and identify fraud through blockchain.
Meanwhile, IT programmers are working on stealth addresses and new ledger protocols to achieve better anonymity for many reasons. Some credible reasons include trade secrets and personal information protection. So, it is possible to achieve some level of anonymity with cryptocurrencies, but most available coins do not operate this way.
Cryptocurrency Investing and Trading is Easy – FALSE
Cryptocurrency investing is like any other market; people buy when they think prices will increase. When any asset class is in a bull market, buying low and selling high is no longer an art. The problem with bull markets is that they come to an end.
For example, the stock and housing markets have been in a long-term uptrend since the Great Financial crisis bottom in 2009. Since then, people have generally taken the BTD (buy the dip) approach and been successful. But when the winds change, this strategy will no longer work for any market.
Since the US Federal Reserve announced in late 2021 that they would bepulling back financial accommodations interest-rate sensitive products have moved in sympathy to the news—with the technology sector being hit the hardest.
While the Fed has very little to do with cryptocurrencies, the idea is the same. For instance$ETH prices are showing an optimistic pattern now that large corporations are interested in selling NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and their metaverse applications.
So, cryptocurrency prices are also susceptible to political news and moves in international equity markets. Suppose you are the type to invest in new ICOs. In that case, it’s recommended to gain a better understanding of the protocol used, what significant news events could potentially affect pricing, the underlying project, how well it is being marketed, and which problems it may solve for probable future success.
Understanding Crypto
Overall, like many asset classes, cryptocurrency investing has its strengths and weaknesses, which is why it’s wise to do your due diligence and research before making any investment decisions. That way, regardless of what is being said on various public forums, your viable investment opportunities may not be swayed by opinions of sources that may lack credibility or expertise. Additionally, it’s generally a good idea to understand the mechanics behind how your money is being put to work. So, take the time to learn how to invest in cryptocurrencies and invest through trusted platforms, like Bitcoin IRA.
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