Bitcoin has been making waves in the world of finance and is an increasingly popular investment. However, even as Bitcoin rises in popularity, many users find it hard to get started with Bitcoin, especially with all of the misinformation available on the internet.
It can be very challenging to know where to get started with your Bitcoin investment. There are many steps to take before you invest in Bitcoin, and this guide will help you through each one. We'll explain what Bitcoin is, how it works as an investment vehicle, and break down some of the factors you need to consider when investing in this informative how-to 2022 Bitcoin guide.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system. It's the first decentralized digital currency as the system works without a central bank or single administrator.
The Bitcoin network is peer-to-peer, and transactions take place between users directly through the use of cryptography without an intermediary like a bank or clearinghouse to manage funds. These transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in public distributed ledger called a blockchain.
The concept was introduced in 2009 and followed the ideas of pseudonymous developer Satoshi Nakamoto, who released the concept of open-source software. It showed how to create a peer-to-peer network to generate what was scribed as an electronic transaction system without relying on financial institutions. Satoshi officially mined the first Bitcoin with a reward of 50 Bitcoins.
If you're looking for a new investment option, Bitcoin may be the perfect option. While there are tons of different types of cryptocurrencies available on the market, Bitcoin is the most established and most well-known of them all. It's important to note that it can be easy to get carried away with investments, meaning that you should be careful with the amount of Bitcoin you purchase. In addition, Cryptocurrency can be volatile, so it's essential not to invest more than you're willing to lose.
Bitcoin has proved to be a steady investment within the last decade. Currently, one Bitcoin equals around $46,129. Many sources predict that this is only going to increase in value. Bitcoin is still a risky investment and is not as predictable as other investments such as stocks or mutual funds. It's difficult to predict where the price will be in a year, which is why it's essential to take these factors into account before you buy.
The Risks of Purchasing Bitcoin
Having a deep understanding of what you're getting into before you buy Bitcoin is essential to ensure you're making the right decision for yourself and your money. There are risks involved with purchasing Bitcoin, which make this an unusual investment vehicle, especially if you're new enough to invest that your familiarity is limited. You will need to ensure you purchase your Bitcoin safely through a wallet and understand the fluctuations that may occur to your investment before purchasing.
Is Cryptocurrency a good investment?
Before you start investing your money into Bitcoin, the first thing to consider is whether or not it's a good investment. Many factors come into play when making this decision, such as the potential for growth and how well BTC will hold up in comparison with other investments like stocks.
It may be beneficial to invest some of your funds if they're coming off of low-interest rates. Still, at the same time, there are risks involved, so make sure you do thorough research on any cryptocurrency before proceeding with an investment, especially because regular currencies have more stability than Bitcoin does.
With the consistent rise in Bitcoin, the potential for high growth is possible. Think about the technology it's based on: blockchain, which can be used to store anything from banking records to contracts and even medical data. If there were an adoption in these sectors, Bitcoin would have a lot more stability and become less risky as a form of investment because of its higher value.
How to Get into Bitcoin
If you're ready to get started in your cryptocurrency journey, you might be wondering how you can make your first Bitcoin investment. There are many things that you'll need in order to get started. However, the most important include a cryptocurrency exchange account, an internet connection, personal identification documents such as a state ID, and a way to pay for your Bitcoin such as cash, debit cards, or credit cards.
Current Bitcoin Trading Price
The current price of Bitcoin is $46,129 for one Bitcoin. However, this rate fluctuates depending on the time of the day or market events. Therefore, make sure to check the current exchange before making a Bitcoin purchase.
How to buy BTC with cash?
Many people choose to buy Bitcoin through a Pay Depot ATM because you don't need to have a bank account or credit card to process the transaction. However, if you want to get started with a Bitcoin ATM transaction, you'll want to ensure you follow the step-by-step instructions below.
- Locate an ATM: You're going to need to first figure out the locations of cash ATMs. They are frequently in busy establishments or next to populated areas. Check out our complete list of locations to see where your closest Bitcoin ATM is located.
- Read the Details: Once you've located the closest Bitcoin ATM, you can click into the location via the blue dot to learn more about it, including details such as how to sell or buy Cryptocurrency and the address of the ATM, as well as directions to get there.
- Purchase Your Bitcoin: From there, you'll simply need to head over to the location of your choice and locate the Bitcoin ATM. The on-screen prompts will help guide you through the cryptocurrency buying process. Ensure you have cash and your Bitcoin wallet information, so you can complete your transaction.
- Wait for Your Bitcoin: Once you've purchased your Bitcoin, you might not see it immediately appear in your wallet. This is completely normal. The finalized Bitcoin transaction time varies depending on how busy the network is with other transactions. This may take as little as 10 minutes but can be delayed up to 24 hours.
How to Store Bitcoin Safely
As the popularity of Bitcoin increases, so does the number of ways you can potentially lose your Bitcoin. Hackers, computer failure, theft, or even losing access to your keys can result in permanently losing your investment, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, how can you ensure that your Bitcoin purchase is safe and secure? Thankfully, there are a few ways to store your Bitcoin to protect your assets.
Hot Wallets
Hot wallets refer to online wallets that run on devices that can connect to the internet, such as tablets, computers, or smartphones. This can be a great option to store Bitcoin if you're only purchasing a small amount. However, suppose you're buying thousands of dollars of Bitcoin. In that case, it may not be the best in terms of security because the private keys that are generated directly through the wallet can lead to your funds being stolen.
Cold Storage Wallets
A cold storage wallet is an offline wallet that's stored on devices such as USB keys or external hard drives and then connected to your device when you want to access it. This means that they are only accessible from one computer at a time, which provides more protection against hack attempts, and are not reliant on the internet in order to be accessed. In addition, cold wallets typically come with software that helps to protect their private keys while still allowing users to see their investments.
Physical Coins
Physical coins are tangible pieces of currency that come in the form of a physical object with a sticker signaling how much Bitcoin the coin is worth. You might need to pay a higher price point in order to own a physical coin that may cost more than the value of the coin you're purchasing. In addition, this does leave a person at risk if the coin is physically stolen from its location since there's no way to track it.
Bitcoin Investments - Pros & Cons
Pros of BTC Investment
There are many benefits to investing in Bitcoin. The most obvious is the ability for an investor to substantially gain on their initial purchase over time if they have a long-term plan for investment. Some of the positives of Bitcoin investments include:
1. High Return Potential
Bitcoin investment is a high return opportunity for those who are willing to take the risk. For example, if you would have invested $100 in 2009, you would now own more than $40 million in Bitcoin. Thus, investing in Bitcoin can quickly transform your financial situation if you play your cards right.
2. Payment Fraud Protection
Bitcoin transactions are not reversible or refundable. It's also impossible to commit fraud during a transaction because there is no way to create new coins since every Bitcoin has already been created.
3. No Third Parties Required
When investing in stocks, you're required to pay various fees, including brokerage commission rates and taxes that can stack up over time. Therefore, Bitcoin investments can be more profitable for those who don't have to worry about paying the extra fees that a stockholder would.
4. Immediate Settlement
With Bitcoin, the payment is processed immediately, so you can be sure that your money will not get lost in a long-term process. So, instead of having to wait weeks or months to receive your purchase, the longest you'll have to wait is 24 hours to see your investment.
5. Low Inflation Risk
Bitcoin is a deflationary currency that means the value of your investment will only increase over time. Plus, there are no fees for holding Bitcoin, and it's not subject to inflation which can lead to someone losing their money if they invest in fiat currencies or other assets.
Cons of BTC Investment
As it's a cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is not controlled by any bank or government. As such, its value can fluctuate wildly depending on the investments and decisions of other investors. There are some risk factors that you should consider when investing in BTC stock before making your purchase:
1. The Market Constantly Fluctuates
The market is volatile, and it fluctuates with the news. This means that any investment in Bitcoin could plummet or skyrocket at a moment's notice, so you need to be prepared for this kind of change when spending money on investing in Bitcoin.
2. Fraud Can Occur
There have been some fraud cases in the cryptocurrency industry, which is why you should be careful when investing. Be sure that any site or exchange you use to buy Bitcoin from has a good reputation and reviews online before proceeding with your purchase to avoid being scammed out of your money.
3. Not Regulated by the Government
There is no central authority regulating Bitcoins. This means they exist outside of current financial systems, making them harder to secure than traditional currencies like USD or GBP. In addition, there are no laws or regulations that help protect buyers of Cryptocurrency and the funds they spend. This makes it a risky investment because there is no one to hold accountable if the value of Bitcoin decreases, unlike other forms of investment.
4. No Physical Backing
Bitcoin is not backed by any physical commodity like gold and instead relies solely on a digital wallet or technology to hold its value. Nothing of physical value can be exchanged when you want to sell or get rid of it.
Plus, the price increases and decreases depending on the number of people who invest money in it, which causes it to fluctuate. All of these factors leave Bitcoin owners more susceptible to issues like online fraud, cyberthreats, or a system that could collapse without the internet.
5. Limited Ways to Spend Bitcoin
Bitcoin can't be spent on many things in the physical world. You'll need a Bitcoin wallet to use it and send it to others, which means that you're limited as there's no universal way to spend your BTC as you would money on a credit or debit card.
Plus, only a few online stores currently accept it as a valid form of payment, such as Air Lituanica, Overstock, and CheapAir. While that may change in the future, and more companies may allow you to pay for goods through your Bitcoin wallet, there is limited choice in what you can spend your funds on at the moment.
6. New Technology
Bitcoin is a relatively new technology, and there are still some significant risks involved when investing your money. It's only been around for the last 11 years and has been unable to develop into a powerful method of payment. Plus, with so many fluctuations and changes to the cryptocurrency market in the last few years, it's hard to tell what the future of Bitcoin might look like. Therefore, it's essential to take the proper steps to secure your funds and proceed with caution when investing your money into Bitcoin.
Should you buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin has a number of advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding whether or not to invest. If you want to make an investment that has the potential to earn you a lot of money and is unregulated by banks or other financial institutions, Bitcoin is your perfect match. However, if the idea of having online currency stresses you out or you don't have any money to invest, this might not be the right solution for you. Whether you should or should not purchase Bitcoin really has to do with your personal opinion and preferences.
FAQ on Buying and Investing in BTC
Q1: What is the minimum Bitcoin investment?
There is no minimum limit to how much you can invest. You can buy as little as $100 worth of BTC, and some investors have been able to make these purchases with debit cards, which makes it simpler than ever before.
There are also many cryptocurrency exchanges that allow for small investments at first, so you don't need the total amount in order to get started. This way, your initial investment will be lessened by fees, and any potential losses won't hurt nearly as bad when they happen because there's not too much money on the line yet.
Q2: How do I use a Bitcoin investment calculator?
The first thing to do when using a Bitcoin calculator is select the currency you will use. You can then input the number of funds you want to invest and how long your investment will last (in years).
Based on these numbers, the calculator will determine how much profit or loss there might be in this time period. It's important to note that even if gains are high, losses could still happen, so never put all your eggs into one basket—spread out investments over different sectors such as stocks and property rather than investing solely in BTC.
Q3: How to Invest in Bitcoin and make money?
Investing in Bitcoin is a risky business, and it's not guaranteed you'll end up making money.
The best way to invest your funds responsibly would be through diversification so that if one form of investment does poorly, the others will still have some stability because they're not invested all into just BTC.
Remember, there are no guarantees with cryptocurrencies or any other type of stock market. Do thorough research before shelling out your hard-earned cash for something that might not work out as planned.
Q4: If I invest $100 in Bitcoin today, how much would I own?
According to the current rate of Bitcoin, you would own 0.0022 Bitcoin by investing $100 today.
Q5: How does a Bitcoin investment work?
Bitcoin is the most popular form of Cryptocurrency available on the market. It's a digital currency that runs on blockchain technology, so all transactions are encrypted and have tight security.
The Bitcoin investment process starts with deciding how much money to invest in BTC and then buying this amount online or through a Bitcoin ATM. They're usually stored in an online wallet with excellent encryption methods because of just how valuable they can be. Some people have invested hundreds of thousands into this type of investment without any complications yet.
Q6: What is a better investment, Bitcoin or Monero?
There's absolutely no wrong answer when it comes to this question. Monero is a very popular cryptocurrency, but Bitcoin still has the most market value and popularity overall. It all depends on your goals—do you want something that will rise in price, or do you want to buy a cryptocurrency with better stability? Only you can answer this for yourself, so make sure to think about what would work best before making any investment decisions.
Q7: With a $100 investment in Bitcoin today, what could the value be in 2025?
There is no solid proof that Bitcoin will be worth a certain amount in a few years due to its volatile nature. However, panelists expect the price to be at least ten times more than the current price of Bitcoin today.
Q8: What type of investment is Bitcoin for taxes?
Bitcoin is considered property for tax purposes.
Q9: 1,000 invested in Bitcoin 2009 is worth how much now?
If you invested $100 in Bitcoin in 2009, you would have been able to buy almost 1,000 Bitcoins. Considering today's current rates, you would own more than $40 million in Bitcoin from that $100 investment.