Did you know around 1 billion people worldwide use cryptocurrency? While it’s a speculative asset class that can be more of a roller-coaster experience than some people are comfortable with, crypto can be part of any prudent investor’s strategy for financial stability.
The same source adds that nearly one in four Americans acknowledge they’re unclear about how cryptocurrency works, which is one reason investors willing to take the plunge should be careful. You can lose more than your shirt with bad crypto investment moves -- so caution is necessary.
One survey shows that almost four in 10 American investors who've held crypto have divested their holding for south of what they bought it for. Whether you want to dabble in crypto or establish a strong position in one or more cryptocurrencies, you’ll want to make money.
Continue reading to see four investing mistakes to avoid as a new cryptocurrency investor.
1. Don’t Invest Until You Know What You’re Getting Into (Research Is Your Friend)
When people think about investors who've become millionaires by investing in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, they often pay scant attention to horror stories.
Those stories involve people who've lost money chasing the dream of a bonanza of riches. Desiring to invest in crypto is one thing, but understanding this asset class and how it operates is another thing.
Any investment, especially in an asset class as speculative as crypto, requires patience. You must understand the terms, analyze the options, and gauge your risk tolerance. Many new crypto investors fail by spending money on an asset class they don't know. That’s a recipe for disaster.
It’s always vital to research something before making a decision -- and that’s true no matter what you’re focusing on. If seeking a business phone system for the office, you should research the space to make an informed selection.
When buying index funds off the stock market, you’ll want to invest sufficient time to find the right stocks. If seeking a fleet management system for your company’s vehicles, you should assess specific needs, see what’s on the market, create a shortlist of candidates, and try some demos before choosing one.
2. Don’t Keep All Your Crypto in a Digital Wallet (Consider a Cold Wallet)
According to one source, the worldwide cryptocurrency wallet market size was $8.42 billion in 2022, and it's on pace to expand at a 24.8% compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2030.
Grand View Research notes that one of the drivers for the adoption of this technology is the growing recognition from individual and institutional investors of crypto as a legitimate asset class.
While online wallets are popular and convenient, they also present risks for investors. A quick online search will reveal articles about cybersecurity attacks against owners of online crypto wallets -- and how successful the cyber criminals are. It's better to invest in a cold wallet, also called a hardware wallet or offline wallet, that will keep your crypto holdings safer.
3. Don’t Invest for the Short-Term Period (Think Long Term Instead)
One reason some investors get into crypto investing is the hope to turn modest investments into huge returns over the short-term period. However, this type of investment strategy rarely works. Some get lucky and hit the jackpot, but they're the exception rather than the rule. Investing based on the exception is a good way to lose more than your shirt.
When you understand the speculative nature of crypto, you’ll see this asset class isn't suited for short-term investments. You need to hang in there for the long term and accept the roller-coaster nature of the asset class.
4. Don’t Forget Crypto Wallet Passwords (You Could Lose Your Holdings)
Another mistake crypto investors need to avoid is forgetting their crypto wallet passwords. It happens more often than you might think. If you have an online crypto wallet, put your crypto holdings in it, and later forget the password, you could be in serious trouble.
Remember that crypto isn’t regulated as many other investment classes are. If you lose your password, there’s no customer service you can contact to access it or reset it. You could lose your holdings, which can sour your experience as a crypto investor.
If you’re interested in crypto investments, consider these four mistakes to avoid at all costs. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, mistakes like the ones listed above can jeopardize your crypto investment strategy and leave you with a case of buyer’s remorse.
