Bitcoin Hits $50,000 for the First Time Since Two Years as Halving Frenzy Grows

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ICARO Media Group
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13/02/2024 21h44

The surge was fueled by a wave of enthusiasm from new investors and growing anticipation surrounding the upcoming event known as "the halving." However, Bitcoin experienced a slight dip on Tuesday, snapping its seven-day streak of increases and currently remains below its all-time high of around $69,000.

Over the past year and a half, Bitcoin has made a remarkable comeback, with its value climbing more than 200% from its 2022 low of $16,000. This resurgence can be attributed to various factors, including the influx of money from investors in recently launched bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the excitement surrounding the halving.

The halving, also referred to as the "halvening," is a fundamental concept in Bitcoin's philosophy. It is a built-in feature in Bitcoin's infrastructure that automatically reduces the rate at which new coins enter circulation. This event occurs approximately every four years and is believed to drive the price of Bitcoin higher.

To understand the mechanism behind the halving, it is crucial to grasp the idea that Bitcoin operates as a decentralized asset. Its value is determined by a vast, peer-to-peer network of powerful computers that validate all Bitcoin transactions through a process called mining. Miners are rewarded for their work with bitcoins, but every four years, the number of bitcoins received by miners is halved.

Bitcoin's limited supply is a key aspect of its value proposition, with a maximum of 21 million coins that can ever be in circulation. By reducing the mining reward periodically, Bitcoin aims to combat inflation and incentivize miners. The inherent scarcity created by this process is believed to contribute to the increase in price over time.

Historically, each halving event has resulted in a bullish price action for Bitcoin. Gareth Rhodes, former deputy superintendent at the New York State Department of Financial Services, stated that demand constraints during halvings generally lead to price increases. Previous halvings have shown significant price surges, with a 30,000% increase in 2012, nearly 800% in 2016, and a 700% gain in 2020.

The upcoming halving, expected to take place in April this year, has investors excited for the potential gains. However, it is important to note that the crypto market tends to be volatile, and short-term fluctuations are to be expected. Henry Robinson, co-founder of Decimal Digital Currency, mentioned that the psychology surrounding such a significant event can create significant volatility, leading to exuberant bullish action or dramatic sell-offs.

Interestingly, this year's halving comes shortly after the approval of the first spot bitcoin ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Since their launch on January 11, these funds have attracted approximately $2.8 billion in total net inflows, with BlackRock and Fidelity leading the way.

Cryptocurrency experts see the $50,000 milestone as just the beginning, with predictions of Bitcoin reaching $69,000 and even $100,000 by 2024. Antoni Trenchev, co-founder of crypto lender Nexo Capital, is optimistic about the future, stating that if history repeats itself, the next 12-18 months are set to be a scorcher for crypto.

Investing in Bitcoin and participating in halving-related strategies can yield substantial gains. However, this comes with the caveat that the cryptocurrency market can be unpredictable and volatile. As Trenchev aptly summarized, "Welcome to crypto, it's not for the faint-hearted."

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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