Overview

On March 12, the price of Bitcoin cryptocurrency reached over $61,000, posting what amounts to a 300% annualized return over the past 10 years.¹ The reality of this complex and largely misunderstood asset is that its value is consistently growing over time. In fact, by mid-August 2021, the combined market value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies totaled more than $2 trillion.²

However, digital currencies are subject to extreme volatility, and there is ongoing uncertainty about how to determine valuations. 

Cryptocurrencies are the exact opposite of what we call “hard cash” — that is, paper dollars, metal coins, gold bullion and other precious metals that we can touch and store. However, as a society, we are hardly opposed to the concept of soft currency. After all, credit cards, bank loans, earned interest and stock shares are all forms of currency that we don’t actually receive in hard coin. Cryptocurrency is much the same, only it has created a new form of money based on digital technology. 

Think of it this way: Cryptocurrency is changing the financial world the way streaming songs evolved the music industry.

The Chain of Ownership

Cryptocurrency is a term used to describe intangible coins that meet the characteristics of standard paper-based money but are actually a digital asset. Some of the better-known cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin (first launched in 2009), Ethereum and Litecoin.

What makes a virtual asset like Bitcoin is that it relies on blockchain technology to track and verify its legitimacy and ownership. Blockchain technology is basically a computer program that works as a digital currency ledger. All transactions, whether traded, sold or used as currency, are securely recorded in a ledger that every participant can see but no one can change. However, in the case of cryptocurrency, transactions move from peer to peer without the use of a financial intermediary, such as a bank, a currency exchange or a government.

One way to put cryptocurrency into perspective is to compare it to title insurance. When you buy a house, you hire a title company to research if anyone has an active claim to the property and then pay for an insurance policy against any future claims. This investigation and insurance fee is generally conducted every time a house is sold. 

However, if title changes were recorded via blockchain technology, the registration would be absolute and visible on the blockchain ledger, and there would be no reason to pay for research and title insurance each time the house changed ownership.³

On the one hand, that sounds great. On the other, note that cryptocurrencies are a new and developing asset, as is the use of blockchain to record transactions. Be aware that cryptocurrencies differ from most conventional currencies in the following ways:⁴

• They are not controlled or regulated by banks or governments
• They rely on a decentralized (blockchain) system
• Their exchange rates can be extremely volatile
• They typically have longer transaction times
• Transactions are anonymous

 

Growing Prevalence

Blockchain platforms and services are projected to increase from $4 billion in 2020 to $199 billion by 2030. One recent survey found that 14% of adult Americans (21 million) own Bitcoin — with half of them making their first purchase over the past year.⁵

Furthermore, Bitcoin has become a more acceptable and mainstream form of legal tender. For example:

• Venmo, a payment app, allows customers to buy or sell cryptocurrencies
• Both Microsoft and Tesla accept it as a form of payment
• El Salvador has adopted Bitcoin as a legal form of currency
• Legendary investor Warren Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway, recently invested $500 million in Nubank, the parent company of the digital bank selling cryptocurrency products
• Even the Federal Reserve is researching the idea of developing its own digital currency

Types of Cryptocurrencies

The following table depicts the top 10 cryptocurrencies being traded in the U.S. based on data as of Aug. 17, 2021.⁶
   

Purchase Primer 

Obviously, as with any new type of investment, it is important for potential investors to thoroughly understand the risks and pitfalls that accompany the product. In the case of cryptocurrencies, one of the biggest threats is the existence of false currencies. In other words, a scammer can simply create a non-existent digital currency and convince investors to buy it.

Today, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies, but many are scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, between the last quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, Americans lost nearly $82 million in cryptocurrency scams.⁷

If you are interested in purchasing a digital currency, bear in mind the following guidelines:

• Only purchase the best-known ones, such as Bitcoin.
• Buy only on a legitimate crypto exchange, such as Coinbase or Kraken.
• You can purchase cryptocurrency at certain ATMs, where the asset is transferred to your digital wallet (note that ATM fees can be steep).
• You may want to consider buying fractional shares; some exchanges permit you to purchase with as little as $5 or $10. 
• Consider cryptocurrency a high-risk or speculative investment — at the top of your risk asset allocation.
• Do not allocate money you have earmarked for a specific expense, such as your children’s education. Only invest with money that you can afford to lose.
• Consider deploying a diversified strategy by investing in a blockchain exchange-traded fund (ETF). This type of fund invests in companies involved in blockchain technology, or that invest in futures or options pegged to the performance of a specific cryptocurrency, or crypto investment products from asset managers.

"Instead of GDP growth, industrial production, retail sales and similar metrics, the crypto business cycle is centered on the allimportant network effect. Since anyone can observe all transactions on a decentralized blockchain, investors can analyze how long users are holding onto their coins, which is analogous to stock turnover."⁸
 

Final Thoughts

Remember, this Wealth Report is meant to serve only as an initial primer to help you learn about the cryptocurrency market. It is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement to purchase this form of digital currency.

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1 Amanda Agati, Daniel Brady, Rebekah M. McCahan, Jake Moloznik and John Moore. CFA Institute. June 22, 2021. “Down the Rabbit Hole: A Cryptocurrency Primer.” https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2021/06/22/down-the-rabbit-hole-a-cryptocurrency-primer/. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021

2 Kellie Mejdrich. Politico. Aug. 17, 2021. “‘Massive wake-up call’: Crypto faces growing legal crackdown.” https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/17/cryptocurrency-legalcrackdown-505595. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

3 Richard Eisenberg. Forbes. June 18, 2021. “Cryptocurrency 101: All You Really Need To Know.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/06/18/cryptocurrency-101-all-you-really-needto-know/?sh=dcad1c25b533. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

4 Zack Gold and Megan McBride. CNA. August 2019. “Cryptocurrency: A Primer for Policy-Makers.” https://www.cna.org/CNA_files/PDF/CRM-2019-U-020185-Final.pdf. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

5 Richard Eisenberg. Forbes. June 18, 2021. “Cryptocurrency 101: All You Really Need To Know.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/06/18/cryptocurrency-101-all-you-really-needto-know/?sh=dcad1c25b533. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

6 Slickcharts. Aug. 17, 2021. “Cryptocurrency Market Data.” https://www.slickcharts.com/currency. Accessed Aug. 17, 2021.

7 Richard Eisenberg. Forbes. June 18, 2021. “Cryptocurrency 101: All You Really Need To Know.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/06/18/cryptocurrency-101-all-you-really-needto-know/?sh=dcad1c25b533. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

8 Amanda Agati, Daniel Brady, Rebekah M. McCahan, Jake Moloznik and John Moore. CFA Institute. June 22, 2021. “Down the Rabbit Hole: A Cryptocurrency Primer.” https://blogs. cfainstitute.org/investor/2021/06/22/down-the-rabbit-hole-a-cryptocurrency-primer/. Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

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