In case you didn’t know, bitcoin is on discount right now.
That’s according to two experts and a major financial institution who say bitcoin is currently undervalued at $ 20,000. JPMorgan Chase recently valued the coin at $ 38,000 — roughly 90% more than its current price.
Bitcoin could be worth up to $ 100,000 in two years time, and its fair market value is currently between $ 40,000 and $ 50,000, according to Jurrien Timmer, the director of global macro at Fidelity Investments. Chris Brendler, managing director and senior market analyst at DA Davidson , expects bitcoin to go back up to nearly $ 38,000 by the end of this year and $ 50,000 by the end of 2023.
“Bitcoin is a unique animal because it’s difficult to say what exactly it is worth,” says Brendler. “It tends to have these exaggerated moves on the upside when folks are only buying because they want it to go up in value. When it starts. But the price of bitcoin will grow higher than it is today in the next coming years. ”
So, what does this mean for the crypto-curious who are potentially eyeing bitcoin as an investment? Is now a good time to take advantage of the crypto market’s “sale” and invest?
The short-term risks of investing in crypto might be worth its long-term potential rewards, according to some financial experts — as long as it isn’t holding you back from meeting your other financial responsibilities and you can clarify your long-term goals financially.
Here’s what you need to know before investing in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies amid the downturn:
What’s Happening With Crypto Prices?
The crypto and stock markets have had a rocky year so far. Bitcoin, ethereum, and crypto prices have crashed along with the stock market in recent months as investors grapple with continued surging inflation, Russia’s war on Ukraine, rising interest rates, and recession fears ..
The latest crypto market crash came after May’s inflation report showed continued high prices for consumers and the Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points — the largest increase in nearly three decades. Roughly $ 2 trillion was wiped from the crypto market, and the S & P fell into a bear market.
Bitcoin on Saturday plunged below $ 18,000 — a new low since December 2020 — but fought its way back above $ 20,000 by Monday. Bitcoin continued to hold above $ 20,000 on Thursday, but is still down nearly 70% from its all-time high of $ 69,000 in November 2021.
Ethereum meanwhile dropped under $ 1,000 over the weekend for the first time since January 2021 as the network braces for a massive and long-planned upgrade. Most cryptocurrencies tend to follow bitcoin’s lead. That means if bitcoin’s price is falling, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies are likely falling as well.
Still, some experts think the prices of bitcoin and ethereum could drop even lower. According to Kavita Gupta, venture capitalist and founder of Delta Blockchain Fund, it could be the beginning of a “crypto winter,” an extended period when prices fall and remain. low, such as they did between early 2018 and mid-2020. Gupta says based on her technical analysis of the market that bitcoin could drop to $ 14,000 and ethereum could fall to $ 500 in the next coming weeks or months.
Should You Buy the Dip? How to Be Smart When Investing in Crypto
Experts say now could be a good time to get in the crypto market while prices are low, but only after you’ve assessed your risk tolerance and prioritized other aspects of your finances, like saving for an emergency, paying off high-interest debt, and investing in a traditional retirement account like a 401 (k).
If there’s one thing you should know about investing in cryptocurrency, it’s that it’s volatile and highly unpredictable. Values fluctuate by the minute driven by speculation, hype, and the whims of broader economic conditions. Potential investors looking to buy in now while the market is down should understand that price fluctuations are par for the course, and be prepared for prices to fall even more. If you can’t stomach sharp market swings, you shouldn’t invest in crypto.
When it comes to your overall crypto investment strategy, only put in what you’re OK with losing. Experts generally recommend investing no more than 5% of your portfolio in crypto. Bitcoin and ethereum are the two cryptocurrencies that represent the best starting point for new investors, according to experts and NextAdvisor’s Investability Score.
Bitcoin holds the highest score among of all cryptocurrencies, with ethereum right behind. Here’s how bitcoin and etheruem compare to the rest of the cryptocurrencies that are consistently among the top 10 by market cap, excluding stablecoins:
