The crypto currency crash was a wild ride, with prices plummeting from their all-time highs. This sudden drop in value left many investors reeling.
In 2017, Bitcoin's price skyrocketed to nearly $20,000, but by December 2017, it had fallen to around $13,000. This volatility was a major red flag for many.
The lack of regulation and oversight in the crypto market contributed to the crash. Without clear guidelines, investors were left to fend for themselves.
The market capitalization of Bitcoin, the largest crypto currency, dropped from $800 billion to $200 billion in a matter of months.
Causes of the Crash
The crypto currency crash was a complex event with multiple causes. One major factor was the rise of margin trading, which allowed investors to borrow money to buy more cryptocurrency, leading to a surge in prices.
This created a false sense of security, as investors became overconfident in the market's stability. As a result, many investors bought in at the top, only to see their investments plummet in value.
The lack of regulation in the crypto market also played a significant role in the crash. Without clear guidelines, investors were left to fend for themselves, leading to reckless behavior and poor decision-making.
Less Regulation — What Could Go Wrong?
The idea of less regulation might seem appealing, but it's a recipe for disaster. Deregulation led to the collapse of the Savings and Loan industry in the 1980s, with over 700 institutions failing.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 repealed parts of the Glass-Steagall Act, allowing commercial banks to engage in investment activities. This led to a significant increase in risk-taking and eventually contributed to the 2008 financial crisis.
Lax oversight and a lack of effective regulation enabled the subprime mortgage market to grow unchecked. Many of these mortgages were given to borrowers who couldn't afford them, leading to a wave of defaults and foreclosures.
The absence of effective regulation allowed the housing bubble to inflate and eventually burst, causing widespread damage to the economy.
A Look at the Collapse of 2022
The collapse of 2022 was a complex event with multiple contributing factors. One major factor was the rapid increase in inflation, which rose to 9.1% in June 2022, the highest level in 40 years.
The war in Ukraine had a significant impact on global food prices, with wheat prices increasing by 60% in just a few months. This, combined with severe weather events, led to a global food shortage.
The economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and EU in response to the invasion of Ukraine had a ripple effect on the global economy. The sanctions made it difficult for Russia to access international markets and led to a sharp decline in the value of the ruble.
The COVID-19 pandemic had already weakened the global economy, and the collapse of 2022 was the final blow. The pandemic had caused widespread lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and a sharp decline in global trade.
The collapse of 2022 was also fueled by the rapid growth of the global debt, which had increased by 50% in just two years. This made the global economy highly vulnerable to shocks and increased the risk of a financial crisis.
The collapse of 2022 was a wake-up call for policymakers and economists to rethink their approach to economic management. It highlighted the need for more sustainable and equitable economic policies that prioritize the well-being of people and the planet.
Market Analysis
The crypto market has taken a hit with currencies like Bitcoin dropping 20% this week. The troubles at FTX have raised pressure on other companies to prove they have the financial strength to stay afloat.
Several companies in the sector had already collapsed or approached collapse earlier this year, after a sharp downturn in the value of digital assets. BlockFi, another crypto firm with ties to FTX, stopped clients from making withdrawals on Thursday because of the situation.
Regulators have long warned of risks to crypto investors and raised concern about the threat of wider financial turmoil. FTX had enjoyed backing from major investment firms, including Blackrock, Softbank and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in Canada.
The downfall of FTX is a major blow to the industry, with Changpeng Zhao, the chief executive of Binance, saying "FTX going down is not good for anyone in the industry. Do not view it as a win for us. User confidence is severely shaken."
Despite the troubles, Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush Securities, believes that FTX's troubles will not spark wider problems in the stock market. He thinks there will be containment, and that's a positive signal.
Recent Events
The recent events surrounding the cryptocurrency crash have been a wild ride.
The Bitcoin price plummeted by 50% in a matter of weeks, wiping out thousands of investors' savings.
In May 2022, the Terra ecosystem collapsed, causing a ripple effect in the crypto market.
This event marked the beginning of the crypto crash that would unfold over the next few months.
The collapse of the Terra ecosystem was caused by a combination of factors, including a freeze in withdrawals and a subsequent loss of investor confidence.
This loss of confidence led to a massive sell-off of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
The market capitalization of Bitcoin fell from $1.4 trillion to $700 billion in just a few months.
This decline in value had a significant impact on the overall crypto market.
Regulatory scrutiny and concerns about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining have also contributed to the decline in the crypto market.
These concerns have led to increased calls for stricter regulations on the industry.
The crypto crash has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of many people who invested in cryptocurrencies as a means of making a living.
Many have lost their life savings as a result of the crash.
Market Trends
The crypto market has been experiencing a significant downturn, with many coins losing value.
The crash is largely attributed to increased regulatory scrutiny and the ongoing collapse of TerraUSD and Luna.
In the past year, the global cryptocurrency market capitalization has shrunk by over 70%.
Can Gold Overtake?
Gold has a history that spans thousands of years, dating back to its use in coinage and jewelry. It's a hard asset that's resistant to corrosion and has a unique combination of properties that make it valuable.
Most countries, including China, continue to amass gold as a store of wealth. America holds the biggest reserves of any country, but it hasn't added to its gold reserves at Fort Knox for years.
Gold's rise has been steady over the past 20 years, providing a perfect hedge against the degrading of the US dollar and inflation. It's a more stable option than cryptocurrencies, which can easily evaporate.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were supposed to protect people from a world in chaos, but if the world does descend into a dystopian future, what happens to your Bitcoin?
From Despair to Jubilation in 24 Months
In just 24 months, the market for cryptocurrencies went from despair to jubilation, with some predicting Bitcoin could push past the $US1 million mark.
The crash two years ago exposed a web of deceit and incompetence, aided by loose or non-existent regulatory oversight.
Cryptocurrency exchanges like FTX, Celsius, Tether, BlockFi, Voyager Digital, Terraform, Luna, and Blockchain Global went under, torching billions of dollars of investor cash.
Investor funds were often plundered for other purposes, such as plugging holes in other parts of the leaky structure or personal largesse.
Financial institutions, including cryptocurrency exchanges, thrive during periods of exuberance by clipping the ticket on transactions and charging fees.
Meme coins, which have no intrinsic value, earn no income, and pay no dividends, have proliferated and are ripe for manipulation in an unregulated environment.
These coins, like Hawk coin, can soar and crash rapidly, driven by social media hype and often criticized as "pump and dump" or "rug pull" schemes.
Cryptocurrency Market
The cryptocurrency market has been a wild ride, with Bitcoin's value fluctuating wildly over time. It's been 15 years since Bitcoin was first touted as a new means of exchange, but it still hasn't replaced national currencies.
Bitcoin's volatility has made it a tool for speculators and gamblers, rather than a reliable store of wealth. Its value can drop as quickly as it rises, creating as much poverty as it generates wealth.
Despite its potential for wider business applications through blockchain, the mania attached to cryptocurrencies is hard to justify.
Digital Economy
Bitcoin's role in the digital economy is still a topic of debate. Bitcoin is not a currency, but rather an asset class, as described by the Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock.
It's not being used as a means of exchange, but rather as a tool for speculators and gamblers, due to its volatility. The value of Bitcoin has fluctuated wildly over time, making it unreliable as a store of wealth.
The blockchain technology that underpins Bitcoin has potential for wider business applications. However, this doesn't justify the mania attached to cryptocurrencies.
The fact that Bitcoin's value is still measured in US dollars highlights its reliance on traditional fiat currencies.
Works
The cryptocurrency market has given rise to a plethora of innovative projects and platforms.
Some notable examples include Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, and Ethereum, a blockchain-based platform that enables the creation of smart contracts and decentralized applications.
The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies has led to the development of various exchanges and trading platforms, such as Binance and Coinbase.
These platforms provide users with a secure and convenient way to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies.
The rise of initial coin offerings (ICOs) has also been a significant trend in the cryptocurrency market, with many projects using this method to raise funds.
ICOs have raised billions of dollars in funding, with some projects achieving remarkable success and growth.
The use of cryptocurrencies has also expanded beyond financial transactions, with applications in areas such as supply chain management and voting systems.
The potential of cryptocurrencies to transform various industries and aspects of society is vast and exciting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will crypto ever go back up?
While it's difficult to predict the future, some analysts believe bitcoin could reach $200,000 by the end of 2025 due to growing institutional investment, but a market correction is also possible. The crypto market's future is uncertain, but regulatory clarity and investor demand may play a significant role in its trajectory.
Will crypto go to zero?
While it's theoretically possible for Bitcoin to hit zero, a catastrophic event would be required, making it extremely unlikely to happen. The likelihood of crypto going to zero is low, but understanding the factors at play is crucial for informed decision-making.
Sources
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-15/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-again-of-bitcoin/104717902
- https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63601213
- https://www.bressler.com/publication-1310
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jun/29/crypto-crisis-digital-currencies-boom-collapse-bitcoin-terra
- https://m.economictimes.com/tech/technology/cryptocurrencies-hit-by-huge-selloff-heres-why/articleshow/112288041.cms
Featured Images: pexels.com