But looking into the future, I am still not convinced about bitcoin. Before anyone get all defensive, I would like to know WHY you think it will go up. Because I would like to make some money too.
Then you need to fact-check yourself more on that, because you are wrong by many folds.
1. Bitcoin value is all based on sentiment. Most people say it is under valued now, but that is only a reflection of how you feel about it. And this is fine, because in comparison most stock prices are irrational as well (especially these days). people make lots of money buying over valued stocks. But the problem I see is that the fear-of-missing-out sentiment has passed. Almost everyone know about bitcoin now. And they also know Bitcoin has dropped 70% of the value since its highest peak? Once someone get burned by something, the others will be a lot more cautious. -snip-
Wrong. Even if Bitcoin is recognized by nearly 60% of the world's total population, thanks to its recent surge, but majority of them are in it as private buy and hold investors who want to capitalize on its potential future price increase. Talking about FOMO and people being rational, you need to look back at the "FANG" stock charts on how they went down and recovered from the 8 year long bear market.
2. Bitcoin is no longer unique. -snip- Correct me if I am wrong, what is the fundamental difference between a "bitcoin" and a "ripple" other than the value? nothing at all.
Wrong again. Bitcoin is the underlying currency, the motherlode of Blockchain technology. If you don't think Bitcoin is unique then you might as well quit saying unique to any other altcoins as they are directly adopted and influenced from Bitcoin.
You also seem to not know about Ripple to begin with. They key differences between Bitcoin and Ripple:
- Bitcoin is decentralized, Ripple is completely opposite.
- Bitcoin is mineable, whereas Ripple is premined and 60% of it are owned by the team.
Do I need to state more?
3. technology risks. There is always a possibility a more advanced cryptocurrency will emerge and completely outshine bitcoin. I believe there are already some cryptocurrency that transact faster than bitcoin? Not sure of the detail but I have read it somewhere. And when it happens again and again bitcoin will be wiped out. Remember we used to use CDs? tapes? camera films? Bitcoin was created almost a decade ago, that is a lifetime ago in the technology world.
As I stated earlier, all altcoins so far are inspired from Bitcoin with a few tweaks here and there. At the same time, Bitcoin is evolving as well; for example: Implementation of Lightning Network to facilitate payments instant, Implementation of Schnorr signatures etc...
other issues: practicality, and safety. It doesn't actually make paying for something easier, and some argue this is safer than traditional banking, well just look at the news of people lost coins or got hacked.
That's due to human error. Don't blame it on Bitcoin if someone isn't careful with their private keys. The whole blockchain technology wouldn't exist by now if there's a technical glitch/loophole anywhere.
I do think it is possible for bitcoin to go up (not skyrocket though), but it seems the headwind is getting really strong. So why do you think you should hold on? Instead of just saying "it will go to the moon", "it will change the world", please provide reason.
The underlying reason of making this post is because you're frustrated with the bear market.