It’s been nearly a decade since Bitcoin first emerged on the scene. In the years since, the crypto revolution has been both celebrated and criticized. But what is the current state of crypto? Is it still alive and kicking, or is it on its deathbed? In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the crypto revolution to uncover the truth and answer the question: is crypto dead or alive?
Introduction – What is Crypto?
Cryptocurrency, often referred to as “crypto”, is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography. This makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. It is decentralized, meaning it is not controlled by any single authority or entity. Instead, it is powered by a distributed ledger technology known as blockchain which allows users to securely transfer funds without a middleman.
Crypto is not only used as a form of payment, but it is also used as a store of value. Many people see it as an investment opportunity and are looking to capitalize on the growth of the crypto market. However, there are still a lot of misconceptions and questions surrounding crypto and its use.
Read also this FintechZoom article Crypto need to be regulated? In past 5 days Bitcoin Price increased +9.59%.
Historical Context – The Crypto Revolution
The crypto revolution began in 2008 with the emergence of Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency. It was created by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, whose true identity remains unknown. Bitcoin was the first of its kind and paved the way for the global acceptance and adoption of cryptocurrency.
Since then, the crypto market has grown exponentially. There are now over 7,000 different cryptocurrencies in circulation, each with its own unique features and use cases. As the crypto market has grown, so have the number of people investing in crypto. The total value of all cryptocurrencies in circulation is now estimated to be over $1 trillion and continues to grow every day.
What Happened to Crypto?
The crypto market has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years. In 2017, the crypto market experienced a major boom, with the total market cap growing from $17 billion to over $800 billion in just 12 months. This was followed by a major crash in 2018, with the crypto market losing over $700 billion in value.
The crash was largely attributed to a combination of factors, including regulatory uncertainty, market manipulation, and an influx of inexperienced investors. This caused many people to lose faith in crypto and many predicted that the crypto market was doomed to fail.
What Is the Current State of Crypto?
Despite the crash of 2018, the crypto market has been slowly but steadily recovering. The total market cap is now estimated to be over $1 trillion and there are more than 7,000 different cryptocurrencies in circulation. This shows that the crypto market is still alive and well and is growing at a rapid pace.
The current state of the crypto market is a far cry from where it was just a few years ago. It has become more regulated, more accepted, and more legitimate. This has helped to attract more investors, both professional and amateur, which has allowed the crypto market to thrive.
What happened to Crypto in 2022, Celsius, BlockFi and FTX?
It’s no surprise that the recent crypto industry implosions have reignited demands for more stringent policing, building on the regulation already in place. In 2023, the crypto industry will see what new rules will look like.
The digital assets market has been through a brutal year leading up to 2023. That statement would be an understatement if we said that the crypto industry is heading into the new year on a whirlwind.
The industry has been plagued by scandals, company collapses, crashing cryptocurrency valuations, plummeting funding levels, and customers fleeing the industry in order to preserve their hard-earned cash for perceived safe havens. It hasn’t been ideal.
There have been numerous instances of companies collapsing and scandals plaguing the sector in 2022, thanks to the crypto ventures like Celsius, BlockFi, and Terra.
The FTX implosion has been the heaviest blow to the market. SBF, the venture’s founder, has been seen as the golden boy of the industry, and now, he is seen as a fraudulent character. At the beginning of the year, the company was valued at $32bn.
An article on crypto news website CoinDesk triggered the firm’s collapse in November after it revealed that SBF’s crypto trading business, Alameda Research, was heavily dependent on its own token, FTT.
After SBF stepped down as CEO on November 11, users fled the company, taking their money with them. FTX filed for bankruptcy on the same day. SBF has now been arrested in the Bahamas, where FTX was headquartered, and is awaiting extradition to the US, where he faces a number of fraud charges.
There has been a clear split between the crypto world and FTX. Players have done everything in their power to prove that they will not be affected by the business’s collapse and that they have healthy finances. Crypto.com has released unaltered evidence of reserves to corroborate this.
Many believe that increased regulation of the crypto industry is the solution to preventing future public collapses. What form those new rules will take will be determined in 2023.
Pros and Cons of Crypto
Like any other form of investment, there are both pros and cons to investing in crypto. On the positive side, crypto provides investors with the opportunity to diversify their portfolios, as well as access a range of different assets. Crypto is also fast and secure, making it a great choice for international transactions.
On the other hand, the crypto market is still relatively volatile and unpredictable. This means that investments can be risky and losses can be significant. Additionally, the lack of regulation means that there is a greater risk of fraud and scams.
The Future of Crypto
The future of crypto is still uncertain, but there are a few key trends that are certain to have an effect on its growth. For starters, the increasing acceptance and regulation of crypto is likely to lead to greater adoption and usage. Additionally, the development of DeFi (decentralized finance) could lead to more innovative and efficient use cases for crypto.
Finally, the increasing use of crypto by institutional investors is likely to lead to greater stability in the crypto market. This could be beneficial for both institutional and retail investors, as it could lead to more reliable returns and less volatility.
The crypto industry is venturing into 2023, and funding has plummeted as a result.
The woes of the crypto industry have been triggered by the same market volatility that has affected the rest of the tech sector. Because of the growing threat of a recession, tech stocks have plummeted. Some market giants have failed, and others have had to fire large numbers of employees.
One of the first indications that the crypto industry was heading for trouble in 2022 was the mass exodus from digital currencies at the beginning of the year. In November 2021, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin reached an all-time high. The following months saw them lose roughly two-thirds of their market value, shrinking their overall capitalisation by roughly $2 trillion.
It’s no surprise that investment into blockchain-based businesses has dried up in 2022. Throughout the pandemic years, capital raises into blockchain projects mirrored the price of cryptocurrencies, which climbed steadily.
GlobalData, an analytics and research firm, reports that in 2021 alone, investors put $52.1 billion into venture financing, equity offerings, private equity placements, and debt offerings, a sum equal to nearly a third of all venture capital invested worldwide that year.
The numbers for 2022 are more serious. The sector has raised $23.6bn this year through 1,306 deals.
While the crypto industry is entering the year 2023, it is worth noting that it is now heading into a rather gloomy backdrop. We therefore asked industry players and observers about their present sentiments and what they would like to see in the future.
See if you agree with them.
How to Invest in Crypto
If you’re interested in investing in crypto, the first step is to do your research. It’s important to understand the risks associated with crypto investing as well as familiarize yourself with the different types of crypto assets available.
Once you’ve done your research, the next step is to find a reputable exchange where you can purchase crypto. It’s important to choose an exchange that is secure and has low fees. You should also look for an exchange that offers a wide range of crypto assets, as this will give you more options when it comes to diversifying your portfolio.
Regulations and Laws Around Crypto
In recent years, governments around the world have been introducing regulations and laws to govern the crypto market. These regulations are designed to protect investors and promote the adoption and use of crypto.
In the U.S., the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) has introduced a number of regulations to protect investors and ensure that the crypto market remains secure and compliant. Similarly, in Europe, the ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) has been introducing regulations to ensure that investors are protected and the crypto market is fair and transparent.
The Role of Governments in the Crypto Revolution
Governments around the world are playing an important role in the crypto revolution. By introducing regulations and laws, governments are helping to protect investors and promote the adoption and use of crypto.
At the same time, governments are also looking to capitalize on the potential of crypto. For example, in China, the government is looking to launch its own digital currency, the “Digital Yuan”. This could be a game-changer for the global crypto market and could lead to more widespread adoption and usage.
Conclusion – Is Crypto Dead or Alive?
To answer the question is crypto dead or alive, it’s clear that crypto is far from dead. The crypto market is still alive and well, and is growing at a rapid pace. It has become more regulated, more accepted, and more legitimate, which has helped to attract more investors and promote widespread adoption.
It’s clear that the future of crypto is uncertain, but there are a few key trends that are likely to have an effect on its growth. Governments around the world are playing an important role in the crypto revolution and are introducing regulations to protect investors and promote the adoption and use of crypto.
So, is crypto dead or alive? The answer is clear: crypto is very much alive and kicking.
