Crypto investing has become very popular lately, with the increasing number of coins that have appeared in the market. There are several digital assets you can invest in, depending on your preferences. And although Bitcoin has remained a staple among investors, some other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Cardano are also considered. The good news is that you can invest in more than one cryptocurrency to diversify your portfolios. Of course, before taking this step, you should understand its fundamentals and ensure you know what to expect. Today, it is easy to invest in digital assets, and anyone can do it because all you need is a smartphone or computer and an Internet connection. Before investing, you should consider many aspects, like the price of Ethereum, Bitcoin or the other cryptos you are interested in, and know that digital coins are volatile because they don’t have an established regulatory regime, and everything depends on the supply and the demand level.
So, let’s learn more about cryptocurrencies and how you can invest in them.
What is cryptocurrency?
A cryptocurrency is a digital asset based on the blockchain technology. Digital coins are decentralized, meaning that no authority, like the government or a bank, manages or maintains its value, as is the case with fiat money. Instead, they are distributed among cryptocurrency users by using the internet. Crypto can be used to buy regular services and goods, but many people consider them assets to invest in. People can invest in many digital coins, but the most popular ones remain Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency that appeared on the market and a pioneer for the other digital coins launched afterwards. Also, Bitcoin is the largest digital currency in the market capitalization up to this day.
Some digital currencies have been created to overcome the shortcomings of Bitcoin, like Ethereum. Ethereum is a platform that allows global payment and peer-to-peer transactions with its native token, Ether or ETH. It was created in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and soon became considered by plenty of people because of the innovations it brought into the crypto world. For example, people can use the platform to create non-fungible tokens (NFTs), develop decentralized applications (dApps) or transact without needing a third party.
The most common types of cryptocurrency investments
Investing in cryptocurrencies is more than buying and holding your coins in an electronic wallet. And there are many ways in which you can invest in cryptocurrencies that will align with your needs. Here are the most common options regarding cryptocurrency investments.
Buy cryptocurrencies directly
You can invest directly in cryptocurrencies using a specialized exchange, as this is the easiest way to get exposure to digital coins like Bitcoin or Ether. With this method, you just need to sign up for a crypto exchange available in your country and purchase the cryptocurrency directly. There are different types of exchanges you can opt for, like:
- Centralized exchanges. Private organizations control online platforms used to sell and buy digital coins. They hold the cryptocurrencies of investors and their funds in wallets and act as an authority, generating the transactions. Sellers and buyers opt for centralized exchanges to keep their assets as safe as a bank would.
- Decentralized exchanges manage transactions without a central authority, as they are independent and autonomous. Without an intermediary, people can do business with one another directly and hold their assets in their own wallets.
- Hybrid exchanges offer the best of both alternatives and have features of decentralized and centralized exchanges. They have the usability of centralized platforms and the anonymity of decentralized ones, making them the best options.
Invest in cryptocurrency stocks
Investing in crypto stocks has been possible for some time, and now you can invest in an organization focused on digital assets. It would be best for you to opt for an established company, as they have staying power and a competitive edge over the others.
Because stocks have a long history and represent the fractional ownership of someone in a particular business, they are considered today with businesses that deal with cryptocurrencies. And because they have been present for a long time, people are quite familiar with the stock investments and will know what to expect from them.
Become a crypto miner or validator
Although mining can sound daunting for some people, as it implies solving challenging mathematical problems, this alternative is one of the best and most direct ways to invest in cryptocurrencies. Mining is a power-intensive process, and depending on the coin opted, it can take 12 seconds to 10 minutes to mine a digital coin.
A cryptocurrency validator is a person who verifies transactions on the blockchain network. They are paid to look at each transaction detail and ensure it is authentic. To become a crypto validator, you need to have a certain amount of funds to be chosen for the task. You might want to consider this alternative as you get paid in cryptocurrencies.
Either option of the two above is a great way to earn more cryptocurrencies. Miners are important for the crypto network, as with their help, new coins are introduced in the market, and they also validate transactions. Because of their presence, blockchain security is constantly taken care of, and cybersecurity threats are prevented.
How much you should invest in cryptocurrencies
Experts recommend investing 1% to 5% of your net worth in digital assets. Also, specialists suggest that it is best to limit the exposure to volatile digital coins and invest carefully, and never more than you afford to lose.
It is a good way to diversify your portfolio and your investments. Also, you should be careful about the type of coins you hold, as they greatly impact your profit. Popular cryptos like Ethereum and Bitcoin have long-term use cases, which is why they are the most considered by investors.
Final words
Cryptocurrencies are very popular today, but if you want to invest in them, it is good to learn more about the crypto market and educate yourself as much as possible.
