The Power of Long-Term Bitcoin HODLing: Understanding Your Investment

Understanding Bitcoin's Value

But how do you determine the worth of these codes? You can't weigh them, measure them, or count them. Instead, you assess their value by examining the current price of Bitcoin in US dollars on major exchanges and multiplying it by the quantity of codes you possess. For example, if you own 3 bitcoins, and the current price is $30,000 per bitcoin, your assets amount to $90,000. Not too shabby!

So, who sets this price? Is it the government, the central bank, or Bitcoin's creator? In reality, none of them do. The price of Bitcoin is dictated by the simple forces of supply and demand. This means the value of your codes is contingent on what people are willing to pay for them at any given moment, and that can change significantly from one day to the next, or even within a minute.

The Influence of Hodlers

Now, what if you decide to sell your codes one day, and there's simply no one willing to pay a dime for them? In that scenario, you're left with some aesthetically pleasing but ultimately worthless codes. This signifies that the gains or losses you see on your screen are merely potential; they're not realized until you actually sell your codes.

But what does it mean to be a Bitcoin HODLer? Is it a lifestyle, a philosophy, or an investment strategy? According to Glassnode, a cryptocurrency data analytics firm, there's an increasing number of individuals identifying as HODLers, people who keep their bitcoins for the long term without selling them.

Glassnode's data reveals that more than 76% of the available BTC supply is held in long-term storage. This means that HODLers have more control over the market than ever before in Bitcoin's history. This has intriguing implications for the cryptocurrency's price and scarcity.

Charles Edwards, the founder of Capriole Investments, a quantitative Bitcoin and digital assets investment fund, highlighted on October 18th that this record surpasses what was established in 2015. He added, "Less liquid supply means the same people bidding on fewer coins. You do the math."

Edwards is referring to the law of supply and demand, which states that when the supply of a commodity decreases, and demand remains stable or increases, prices rise. This could very well be the case for Bitcoin if HODLers continue accumulating and refraining from selling their coins.

The Impact of Bitcoin Halving

Furthermore, Edwards pointed out that the demand for Bitcoin has increased substantially since 2015, which should exert additional upward pressure on prices during this cycle. He also emphasized that Bitcoin's supply has never been this constrained right before a halving event.

The halving occurs approximately every four years and reduces the block reward miners receive for validating transactions on the Bitcoin network by half. This results in fewer new bitcoins in circulation and increased scarcity.

Now, if you're one of those who bought cryptocurrencies years ago when few knew what they were, you're probably quite content today. Even though the price has recently seen a significant decline, you still hold substantial unrealized gains. All you need to do is sell a fraction of your portfolio to feel gratified with your investment. You sit in front of your computer, observe your codes, and their dollar value, and you feel affluent. You might even chuckle at those who once considered you foolish for investing in something so volatile and uncertain.

However, if you're a more recent investor, the story is different. Those who purchased during the last bull run, when cryptocurrencies were on everyone's lips, and it seemed they could only go up, are likely in the red. When you're in the red, it becomes more challenging to muster the patience to wait for the market to recover. The temptation to sell, realize your losses, and invest that money in more stable or predictable assets is strong. Due to this reality, long-term holders and short-term traders differ in their commitment to cryptocurrencies.

The former have faith in the long-term potential of this technology and aren't swayed by market fluctuations. The latter seek to capitalize on opportunities for quick profits and risk losing it all if they don't time their entry and exit correctly.

Bitcoin's Unique Features and Challenges

Bitcoin is a digital asset created in 2009 by a mysterious figure known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Its main feature is that it has a limited supply of 21 million units, which means no more bitcoins can be created. This scarcity makes it a valuable currency.

However, this scarcity also has its drawbacks. As a limited currency, many holders prefer to hoard it, hoping for its price to rise continuously. This benefits those who acquired bitcoins when they were inexpensive, turning them into millionaires. But it also disadvantages those who joined the party late or don't have enough bitcoins. They're left wanting.

Moreover, with the limited number of bitcoins in circulation, the market is controlled by a few individuals or groups with significant price manipulation power. They can sway the market as they see fit, driving the price up or down, to their advantage. This leads to high volatility and uncertainty for other users.

It's important to recognize that when only a minority is content while the majority is dissatisfied, it can breed resentment. As a result, those who lose out may opt to stop favoring the winners and seek alternative options. Prices, consequently, may drop, and long-term holders could be left empty-handed. They waited a long time for impressive gains that never materialized. In the end, without buyers, the code holds little value.

Please note: The information and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views or editorial stance of Cointelegraph. The information presented here should not be taken as financial advice or investment recommendations. All investments and trading involve risks, and it is the responsibility of each individual to conduct thorough research before making an investment decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being a long-term Bitcoin HODLer is more than just holding codes; it's a commitment to the potential of blockchain technology. The cryptocurrency's value is driven by supply and demand dynamics, and the increasing number of HODLers could influence its future price. While long-term holders believe in the journey, short-term traders seek quick gains. Bitcoin's unique scarcity is both its strength and challenge, impacting its holders and the market as a whole. As the crypto landscape evolves, the actions of HODLers will play a significant role in shaping Bitcoin's future.