Key knowledge for Wisconsin residents

Bitcoin (BTC) is the world’s most popular digital currency, and in contrast to flat currencies like the dollar, pound, yen, and euro, it isn’t issued by any government. So, how is Bitcoin valued? This article will explore the price drivers behind the digital coin, such as supply and demand, regulation, cost of production, and news and competition, highlighting why these factors make Bitcoin a volatile asset for investors in Wisconsin and the United States.

Supply and demand will be familiar to those with an economic background. However, if this term seems alien to you, this explanation will help you understand how this concept directly affects the price of Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market. For example, supply and demand work together to determine the quantity of a specific commodity and its market price. As this price increases, the demand for economic goods declines. This means sellers will create more of the commodity or vice-versa. This dynamic holds for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, just like it does for the spot price of commodities (such as oil) that use flat exchange rates, for example, USD to GBP.

With cryptocurrencies becoming ever-more popular worldwide, Bitcoin has seen an influx of competition to its throne as the go-to crypto, which affects its price. Altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and meme coins like Dogecoin (DOGE) have given investors plenty of ways to diversify their cryptocurrency portfolios. For example, any improvements to an altcoin like Ethereum may see Bitcoin’s price plummet. Furthermore, media attention can fuel speculation and turn up price volatility. For instance, negative press surrounding cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin, can lead to panic-selling by some Bitcoin owners, ultimately driving its price down. Alternatively, the inverse is also true, and positive news surrounding Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies can move its price upwards.

The accessibility of Bitcoin will significantly influence its price now and in the future. For example, the more widely adopted Bitcoin becomes, the more valuable it will be. For instance, crypto-friendly governments and countries like Switzerland, the first country to offer crypto companies business accounts in 2018, will positively affect Bitcoin’s price. Furthermore, liquidity is something to consider when analyzing the price drivers behind Bitcoin. This is because Bitcoin is regarded as the most liquid cryptocurrency currently available to investors; why? Because it can be easily bought and sold on exchanges and converted for cash. While liquidity is often good for price stability, it’s important to remember that changes in liquidity can cause Bitcoin prices to swing.

Another factor that can affect Bitcoin’s price is risks that may affect its supply and demand. For example, due to its digital nature, Bitcoin can be prone to events such as cyber-attacks. For instance, individuals’ crypto wallets or the exchanges they hold Bitcoin on may get hacked, creating instability in Bitcoin’s price. Moreover, regulations surrounding cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin vary in different countries and states in the US. This means there is always a chance that laws may be passed that could nationally and internationally affect the ownership of Bitcoin and its liquidity. However, rules and regulations set by governments can lead to surges in Bitcoin prices; for instance, cryptocurrency groups are expanding in Hong Kong due to the rules and restrictions placed upon digital currencies in mainland China.

Investors in Wisconsin and the United States must note that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and influenced by government regulations, liquidity, competition between digital currencies, news surrounding cryptocurrencies, and supply and demand. In turn, this makes predicting the exact price movements of Bitcoin challenging; however, improvements in scalability, security,…