Bitcoin Collapses: Should Investors Buy the Dip?

Bitcoin has had a stellar run, which seems to be ending now. Long-term investors could consider accumulating Purpose Bitcoin ETF (TSX:BTCC).

| More on:

Bitcoin took a serious tumble this morning, as the price of each token dropped 24% in a matter of hours. The cryptocurrency has now wiped off US$500 billion (CA$600 billion) in aggregate market value. This could have an impact on investors who hold cryptocurrency, Bitcoin mining stocks, and digital asset exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

It could also be an opportunity for new adopters and long-term investors to add more exposure. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening. 

Why is Bitcoin falling?

There could be a number of different reasons for Bitcoin’s sudden dip over the past few weeks, but three reasons seem to stand out. For one, Elon Musk’s criticisms seem to have highlighted the fact that the cryptocurrency is still intensely energy intensive. Each transaction and block creation takes up a monumental amount of energy, which has a broad carbon footprint. 

Meanwhile, Chinese regulators announced a slew of new measures to crack down on the industry. Yesterday, China banned financial institutions and payment companies from providing services related to cryptocurrency transactions. State authorities also warned citizens against speculative investment activities in the sector. 

Finally, investors seem to be more risk averse this year than in 2020. High-growth tech stocks have been steadily losing value for much of this year. Investors are clearly pessimistic about the outlook for tech stocks. Since there’s considerable overlap between digital assets and tech investors, this sell-off seems to be a broader trend in global capital markets. 

How long could this last?

At this point, it’s impossible to say how long this correction could last. But a look back at Bitcoin’s history could give us some indication. 

During the 2017 hype cycle, Bitcoin’s value inflated 20-fold in a matter of months. When investor sentiment swung the other way in 2018, the price collapsed. Bitcoin’s value would gradually dive lower for the next three years. 

In other words, we could be facing a prolonged draw down and an extended period of low Bitcoin prices. This could also apply to all other cryptocurrencies, since the correlations between digital assets are still relatively high.

The best strategy

For long-term Bitcoin investors, extreme volatility and destructive drawdowns are nothing new. Despite its recent crash, Bitcoin’s value is still 340% higher than last year. Over the past decade, it remains one of the best-performing asset classes in the capital market. 

If you’re a long-term investor with an appetite for risk and technical understanding of Bitcoin’s potential, this may be a great time to add more exposure. Purpose Bitcoin ETF (TSX:BTCC) could even allow you to add BTC to your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Dollar-cost averaging into this asset class could be an excellent strategy. 

However, mitigating risk by diversifying your portfolio far beyond cryptocurrencies is also essential. 

Bottom line

Bitcoin has had a stellar run, which seems to be ending now. This could be an opportunity for long-term investors with the right risk profile. Good luck!

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Vishesh Raisinghani has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

More on Tech Stocks

stocks climbing green bull market
Tech Stocks

Why Propel Stock Keeps Going Up

Propel stock has seen a fivefold increase in its market cap in the last year! But even more is set…

Read more »

a-developer-typing-lines-of-ai-code-while-viewing-multiple-computer-monitors
Tech Stocks

Could Constellation Software Become the Next Berkshire Hathaway?

Constellation Software's (TSX:CSU) capital-allocation strategy is similar to that of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B).

Read more »

cloud computing
Tech Stocks

3 No-Brainer Tech Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

These three Canadian tech stocks could be among the best growth opportunities in the market right now.

Read more »

happy woman throws cash
Tech Stocks

3 Growth Stocks That Could Be Long-Term Wealth Creators

These three growth stocks aim to grow their financials at a higher rate than the industry average, thus delivering superior…

Read more »

The virtual button with the letters AI in a circle hovering above a keyboard, about to be clicked by a cursor.
Tech Stocks

Is POET Technologies a Top AI Stock for Canadian Investors?

Canada has relatively few AI stocks, and the ones it has are different from American AI stocks in terms of…

Read more »

Rocket lift off through the clouds
Tech Stocks

2 Growth Stocks That Could Skyrocket in 2025 and Beyond

Wondering what types of stocks could rapidly rise in 2025? Check out these two stocks with substantial upside if they…

Read more »

up arrow on wooden blocks
Tech Stocks

The 3 Smartest Tech Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

Tech stocks can be seen as a bit risky, but these three have far less risk and more stability for…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) on wooden blocks and Canadian one hundred dollar bills.
Tech Stocks

Shopify: A Must-Have Growth Stock for Your TFSA Now (and the Next 10 Years)

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock isn't just a top growth company, it's a titan worth owning in your decades-long TFSA fund.

Read more »