Bitcoin and some other cryptocurrencies’ values have skyrocketed in recent years. Bitcoin’s price has more than doubled in 2021, and Ethereum has more than quadrupled in value this year.
But whether that growth is sustainable, and what it means long-term, is still in question. “This crypto, blockchain technology, the public interest in it right now is being driven by a kind of speculative fever,” says Dr. Richard Smith, executive director of the Foundation for the Study of Cycles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to studying recurring patterns throughout economies and cultures.
Still, an increasing number of big, powerful players are validating crypto’s potential.
“Every single day, the concept that it could be worth something, it could be a store of value is being continually approved by more large, powerful entities,” Johnson says, pointing to established financial institutions holding digital currencies and large corporations adding them to their corporate balance sheets. “The idea that it’s actually worth something is continuing to grow as adoption and acceptance continues to grow as well.”
Ultimately, the future of cryptocurrencies — their value, security, and staying power — is still up in the air. But the experts we spoke to believe owning some crypto could create value over time. Whatever your interest or motivation, experts stress the importance of making sure you understand the unique volatility and risk factors of cryptocurrency before investing.
“I think it’s really important to keep your eyes open,” Johnson says. “Don’t get the FOMO at a fever, because it’s very volatile. No one should invest anything that they can’t afford to lose, and that’s the same advice I give for any kind of investment.”