Bitcoin surge: Why should you still not invest in cryptos? 7 key reasons (2024)

After breaching $68,800 i.e., hovering its all-time high, bitcoin pared some of the gains on Tuesday in the international crypto markets to trade around $66,700.

According to data shared by Crebaco, a cryptocurrency research firm, trades on Indian exchanges CoinDCX, WazirX and BitBNS hit $2.6 million, $3.4 million and $7.8 million, respectively, in February clocking their highest ever volumes since June 2023.

ALSO READ: Bitcoin surges to $66,000, market cap crosses $2.5 trillion

Bitcoin had reached its all-time high of $68,990 in November 2021.

There are still some experts who continue to believe that cryptocurrency is not a safe investment and one should stay away from it as a credible investment option.

“Amidst the recent Bitcoin price surge sparked by the introduction of the Bitcoin ETF, investors are advised to remain cautious. Regulatory uncertainties in over 190 countries, exemplified by Nigeria's recent crackdown on cryptocurrency transactions, pose significant challenges for investors," says Gaurav Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, Catax- Simple Crypto Taxes.

“While developments like the approval of the Bitcoin ETF in the US may grab headlines, the practical realities of navigating regulatory landscapes vary widely from country to country. Indian investors, therefore, are urged to prioritise local regulations and the government stance has been indirect but clear," he adds.

Here we share some key reasons for which one should stay away from it:

1. Lack of regulations: In India, cryptocurrencies are yet not regulated. As capital markets regulator Sebi regulates investments in stocks and derivatives, banking transactions are regulated by the RBI; crypto transactions do not have any regulator as yet.

2. Volatility: Price rise is a function of volatility. When bitcoin can spike because of it, it can – conversely – pare gains at the same time at the same pace. Bitcoin has moved from $68,000 to $28,000 to return to $68,000 between Nov 2021 to March 2024. In 2023 alone, bitcoin jumped by a whopping 160 percent.

Deribit DVOL index, a measure of expected price volatility of bitcoins over the next 30 days, has surged to 76%, highest since Nov 2022, CoinDesk reported.

3. Critical views: Time and again, India’s banking regulator Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been overly critical of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoins.

In a press release, RBI had even stated that any user, investors, trader, etc dealing with virtual currencies will be doing so at their own risk.

4. Intrinsic value: One argument that often goes against cryptocurrencies is that they have no intrinsic or tangible value.

ALSO READ: Crypto trading reaches 10-month high in India: Report

“Think of any store of value – they are either currencies, or financial assets or commodities which are tangible and have intrinsic value (works of art like paintings also have historical, aesthetic and scarcity value). We have seen that cryptocurrencies are none of these. Notwithstanding their current valuations, if a threshold number of people decide to opt out, the entire values can easily collapse to nothing," the statement by T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India on Feb 14, 2022, reads.

P Vasudevan, executive director at RBI also echoes similar sentiments. “Cryptocurrencies cannot be called currencies as they don't have any underlying value," he said during a panel discussion last month.

5. Greater fool theory: Warren Buffett, known as a legend of investing, too, have strong views on bitcoins. The Oracle of Omaha once remarked that if all the bitcoins in the world are made available for $25, he will still not buy them.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once called NFTs and cryptos to be 100 percent based on the greater fool theory.

6. Frauds galore in past: Remember Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX crypto exchange in the US? The exchange went bankrupt, and Bankman — poster boy of cryptocurrrencies in America — was convicted of seven counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Sam was ironically included in the 2021 list of Forbes 30 under 30.

A similar fraud was reported from Canada where one of the largest crypto exchanges Quardriga went bankrupt and crypto assets worth $119 million of 1,15,000 customers went missing.

7. High taxes minus legitimacy: In 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharmaan introduced 30 percent capital gains tax and 1 percent TDS on crypto transactions but this did not construe as a green signal to crypto transactions.

Ms Sitharaman has often stated that any set of regulations in virtual digital currencies would require global consensus.

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Published: 05 Mar 2024, 07:09 PM IST

Bitcoin surge: Why should you still not invest in cryptos? 7 key reasons (2024)

FAQs

Why shouldn't you invest in crypto? ›

There are several risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency: loss of capital, government regulations, fraud and hacks. Loss of capital. Mark Hastings, partner at Quillon Law, warns that investors must tread carefully in crypto's unique financial environment or risk significant losses.

Why isn t Bitcoin a good investment? ›

Every investment has potential downsides, and bitcoin is no exception. Sciberras says on the negative side of the ledger, there are concerns over bitcoin's long-term security, given the block reward will continue to decrease.

What is the reason for Bitcoin surge? ›

Because bitcoin is a speculative asset, positive sentiment around it has the tendency to multiply. If people believe that the halving will increase bitcoin's price, then they may buy more of it, which can actually lead to a price surge: self-reinforcing dynamics in which belief manifests into reality.

Why Bitcoin is not a safe investment? ›

Cryptocurrencies are subject to high fluctuations in value. A decline in value or a complete loss are possible at any time. The loss of access to data and passwords can also lead to a complete loss. Is cryptocurrency safe?

Should I really invest in crypto? ›

Most financial experts recommend limiting crypto exposure to less than 5% of your total portfolio. Crypto is considered a high-risk asset class. Limiting allocation helps manage overall volatility and risk. Those new to crypto investing may start with 1% to 2% as an introduction.

Is it too risky to invest in crypto? ›

Investments in crypto can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment. While not all cryptos are same, they all pose high risks and are speculative as an investment. You should never invest money into crypto that you can't afford to lose.

What is negative about Bitcoin? ›

Investing in Bitcoin cryptocurrency has its pros and cons. While its transactions are relatively secure, it's also prone to volatility, with large dips and spikes in price.

Why is crypto not the future? ›

Volatility and lack of regulation. The rapid rise of cryptocurrencies and DeFi enterprises means that billions of dollars in transactions are now taking place in a relatively unregulated sector, raising concerns about fraud, tax evasion, and cybersecurity, as well as broader financial stability.

Is Bitcoin real money? ›

Bitcoin (BTC) is a cryptocurrency (a virtual currency) designed to act as money and a form of payment outside the control of any one person, group, or entity. This removes the need for trusted third-party involvement (e.g., a mint or bank) in financial transactions.

Who owns the most Bitcoin? ›

Who owns the most Bitcoin in the world? The top Bitcoin holder is still believed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin, who reportedly holds around 1.1 million BTC across many wallets. Despite this large holding, the top 10 holders collectively only possess about 5.5% of the total Bitcoin supply.

What is the crypto surge in 2024? ›

The 2024 crypto surge, led by Bitcoin surpassing $64,000, is driven by regulatory milestones, ETF approvals, and technological advancements, impacting global markets and requiring strategic risk management from treasurers.

Who sold everything to buy Bitcoin? ›

If someone truly believes in Bitcoin, it's Didi Taihuttu. Shortly after his father died, Taihuttu had an idea. First, he'd sell his 11-year old business along with everything he owned — from his house all the way down to his children's toys.

Can Bitcoin go to zero? ›

A reasonable assumption that Bitcoin could hypothetically reach the null state of it's value is worth the thought. Even-though such an event is very less likely to take place, there are some factors that could theoretically lead to Bitcoin price crashing to zero.

Why Bitcoin is too risky? ›

Unlike most traditional currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, the value of a cryptocurrency is not tied to promises by a government or a central bank. If you store your cryptocurrency online, you don't have the same protections as a bank account.

Can I buy $20 worth of Bitcoin? ›

You can set the amount of fiat you want to spend to buy bitcoin. This will automatically identify the amount of coins you will receive in your account after purchase. You can start with a minimum of $20, and buy even a tiny fraction of the oldest crypto.

What is the downside to cryptocurrency? ›

Cryptocurrency prices can often fluctuate. While this volatility can lead to quick profits, it can also cause significant financial losses for investors under certain circ*mstances, such as when the price of cryptocurrency dips suddenly.

What is a disadvantage of investing in cryptocurrency? ›

The lack of key policies related to transactions serves as a major drawback of cryptocurrencies. The no refund or cancellation policy can be considered the default stance for transactions wrongly made across crypto wallets and each crypto stock exchange or app has its own rules.

Is crypto worse than stocks? ›

Yes, typically cryptocurrencies are considered riskier than stocks due to their high volatility, less regulatory oversight, and their relative newness. However, while stocks are generally more stable, they are not immune to risks such as market downturns or company-specific issues.

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