A closer look at Bitcoin, the safe-haven of cryptocurrencies

Global financial conditions have been surrounded by uncertainty for a while now. Given the ongoing economic condition, traders tend to stay away from volatile assets like cryptocurrencies.

However, the stability of Bitcoin (BTC) flipped the scenario on its head. Throughout 2023, Bitcoin and Ethereum showcased unmatched price stability, even outperforming gold and tech stocks.

Even with global inflation on the rise, BTC and several other cryptocurrencies are gaining value. In fact, BTC has gained 108% since the start of 2023. But does that mean Bitcoin’s performance is beyond global market conditions? Let’s take a closer look. Cryptocurrencies can be divided into two categories: deflationary and inflationary cryptocurrencies.

Inflationary cryptocurrencies experience a steady increase in their supply over time. It happens due to activities like staking or mining. Their fundamental properties match fiat currencies, where central banks print money.

Contrarily, deflationary cryptocurrencies decrease the circulating supply. It happens due to activities like halving or burning. This phenomenon increases their value over time because of reduced supply.

Bitcoin is among the few cryptos that fall into both categories. Its circulating supply is increased via mining. On the other hand, its supply is decreased every four years via halving.

While BTC has been performing well despite adverse market conditions, its market experience makes it a confusing commodity for traders. Unlike traditional assets, BTC, the oldest crypto, has only been around for a decade.

Due to its volatile nature, establishing a Bitcoin price prediction also becomes challenging. Even then, pro-BTC users base their argument on Bitcoin’s limited supply. It implies that Bitcoin can resist traditional market fluctuations due to its store-of-value capacity.

However, cryptocurrencies, in essence, are highly volatile. Even Bitcoin has been prone to unprecedented dips, losing up to 80% in months. Other than that, a lack of regulatory framework also makes BTC and other cryptocurrencies a risky endeavor.

However, these declines can be attributed to the nascent stage of cryptocurrencies. Given that the market still accommodates these assets, their volatility is inevitable. As cryptocurrency begins to acquire widespread acceptance, such precipitous declines will quickly become uncommon.

So given the current BTC performance and market conditions, Bitcoin’s status as a crypto safe-haven cannot be disputed. The asset, while prone to volatility, can outperform even traditional assets based on market sentiment alone.