Is It Too Late to Buy Bitcoin in 2024? Expert Analysis

Bitcoin remains the world’s largest cryptocurrency, with millions of people globally now holding BTC in the hope of generating above-average returns. In many instances, the coin has also solidified itself as a transactional currency, offering another option for shoppers and merchants. 

But is it too late to buy Bitcoin? In this article, we take a deep dive into Bitcoin’s price history and examine whether it still has long-term value. We’ll also highlight where traders can buy Bitcoin today with low fees before presenting some alternative cryptos that may be worth considering. 

Is It Too Late to Buy Bitcoin? Our Verdict

So, is it too late to invest in Bitcoin? Needless to say, Bitcoin isn’t a new cryptocurrency anymore – and could even be considered ‘mature’ within the context of the crypto market. Although this means the coin’s price tends to be less volatile, it also means explosive growth is improbable.

There are many reasons for this, such as Bitcoin’s lack of utility and its outdated (and energy-intensive) mining process. However, the main reason is that market participants already know what they’re getting with Bitcoin – there are no surprises or additional use cases. In turn, there’s no huge ‘rush’ for investors to purchase BTC.

Moreover, Bitcoin is now widely adopted by institutional investors, which has helped dampen volatility. The coin is now used in various crypto index funds, although the long-awaited spot BTC ETF remains unavailable, despite numerous applications from the likes of investment giants BlackRock and Fidelity in recent months. The adoption by financial institutions does have its good points, yet it also hints that Bitcoin’s quadruple-digit growth is a thing of the past.

Putting everything together, is Bitcoin a good investment? For ‘mom and pop’ investors who are looking to gain exposure to digital currencies for the first time, BTC can represent a suitable option. However, for investors that seek high returns and are happy to take on additional risk, there are certainly better options out there.

Bitcoin Price History

People often ask, “Is Bitcoin still worth investing in?” yet fail to understand the coin’s price history – which can help inform future price moves. For those unaware, Bitcoin was founded by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto back in 2008, with the coin’s source code released in early 2009.

In its first few years, many viewed Bitcoin as a joke, with its only real adoption coming from underworld websites like Silk Road. Ever wondered how to buy Bitcoin anonymously? Well, since Bitcoin payments need no intermediary, both parties can remain anonymous, resulting in BTC gaining a reputation for facilitating murky transactions.

BTC’s value began rising in the early 2010s, and between 2013 and 2014, the coin’s price soared by over 5,600%. At this point, the investment community started taking notice, leading to the formation of many of the top crypto exchanges we see today.

As a beginner crypto, Bitcoin has maintained ‘first-mover’ status within the market, adding credibility in investors’ eyes. Between 2014 and 2020, Bitcoin had several bull runs, which were immediately followed by bearish retracements. However, this all changed in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between March 2020 and April 2021, Bitcoin’s price rocketed by 1,537%. After a pullback in the months that followed, the price of BTC soared once more towards the end of 2021. As noted by CoinMarketCap, the Bitcoin’s price reached an all-time high of $68,879 – yet this high was short-lived.

In 2022, after a steep uptrend, BTC saw an accelerated downturn that led the coin to test the $16.2k support level.

This year, however, the bulls have stepped in to regain some momentum and the coin was up by over 90% from July 22 to July 23, almost reaching $32k, although it has since dropped a bit and is trading at around $28.5k at press time.

The following section will see us focus on Bitcoin’s performance in 2023. However, summarized below are BTC’s highs and lows from its inception until today:

• High of $19,735 in December 2017 – a 933% increase in five months
• Low of $3,270 in December 2018
• High of $13,910 in June 2019
• Low of $3,881 in March 2020
• All-time high of $68,789 in November 2021 – 1,644% higher than March 2020’s lows
• Current low of $17,330 in November 2022
• Local high of almost $32,000 in July 2023
• Dropped back to $28,500 in August 2023, at the time of writing

How Has Bitcoin Performed in 2022 – 2023?

Is Bitcoin still worth buying in 2023? To answer this question, it’s essential to explore how the coin has performed and whether there have been any seismic changes in its utility.

In early 2023, Bitcoin was still cited as the best crypto to buy according to Reddit. Although the coin’s price had already fallen significantly from November 2021’s highs, investors saw this as just another pullback. However, what was considered a temporary pullback turned out to be an extended downtrend.

Between November 2021 and June 2022, Bitcoin’s value collapsed by over 74%. The main reason for this was the investment community’s prevailing ‘risk-off’ sentiment, driven by record-high inflation and rapidly-increasing interest rates. When these two forces combine, they make volatile assets like Bitcoin much less appealing.

Those looking for the crypto with the most upside began focusing on other projects, which increased Bitcoin’s bearish momentum. This wasn’t helped by large corporate investors like Tesla opting to liquidate significant portions of their BTC holdings. These factors united to create an adverse environment for Bitcoin and its supporters. 

The final nail in the coffin for BTC was the liquidity crisis experienced by FTX. Although this crisis wasn’t directly related to Bitcoin, it caused a contagion effect that rippled throughout the crypto market. This led to a broad sell-off, which forced the price of BTC lower. 

However, since the start of 2023, the overall market sentiment showed promise as Bitcoin and the altcoin market saw an uptick. Bitcoin gained over 90% from its $16.2k support level, trading at nearly $32k in July 2023.

BTC has since dropped back to around $28.5k, as of the time of writing in mid-August, but a bull run is expected in early 2024 with the next Bitcoin halving fast approaching and institutional interest still high.

Bitcoin Price Prediction 2023-2030

Given the points raised in the previous section, is Bitcoin still a good investment? The answer to this question depends on what investors believe a ‘good investment’ is. However, in our opinion, Bitcoin’s days of rocket ship-like growth are well behind it – meaning those looking for explosive returns may be better off looking elsewhere.

Many people would like to get rich off crypto, yet for this to happen, they’d need to identify a coin capable of producing triple-digit (or quadruple-digit) growth. The saturated nature of the crypto market now means there are endless possibilities for investors, which takes the attention away from Bitcoin. 

We believe that Bitcoin can still provide positive returns in the future – just not to the level seen between 2021 and 2022. With that in mind, detailed below are our BTC price predictions for the years ahead, based on both technical and fundamental factors:

• Forecast for End of 2023: We envision the Fed’s hawkish stance to continue into early 2023, making it difficult for BTC to maintain upward momentum. Due to this, we estimate BTC could value $36,000 by the end of 2023.
• Forecast for End of 2024: The coming years should see the crypto market rebound, providing a better environment for Bitcoin’s price to grow. Should this occur, we estimate Bitcoin could value $47,400 by the end of 2024.
• Forecast for End of 2025: For Bitcoin to be the best long-term crypto, we’d need to see wider adoption from financial institutions and more use cases. If this happens, we predict BTC to be valued at nearly $69,000 by the end of 2025.
• Forecast for End of 2030: Although BTC may not be as innovative as it once was, the coin will still benefit from the growth of other projects. Due to this, we estimate Bitcoin’s value to be around $100,000 by the end of 2030.

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How Could Bitcoin be Used in the Future?

In mid-2021, an article from CNBC reported that Citi thinks Bitcoin is at a “tipping point” in its life cycle. The global bank went on to say that Bitcoin is standing on the precipice between “mainstream acceptance” and “speculative implosion” – and it’s fair to say that the latter prediction appears more likely, given today’s conditions.

The fact that Citi (and others) have opted to discuss Bitcoin is undoubtedly a good thing for the coin’s prospects. Although BTC may not be the best option for retail investors, it’s the closest to being widely adopted by financial institutions. At the time of writing, several Bitcoin ETFs are now available for trading, offered by leading names like ProShares, VanEck, and Valkyrie.

Investment giants such as BlackRock and Fidelity are among a number of globally recognizable firms that want to offer spot Bitcoin ETFs to their clients and have applied in 2023.

However, one major stumbling block for Bitcoin is the network’s substantial energy requirements. Those looking to invest in the most sustainable cryptocurrency tend to avoid Bitcoin, as the network relies on ‘mining’ to validate transactions. This mining process uses computers that require vast amounts of electricity, which contributes to global warming.

To put this in perspective, an article from Forbes reported that the Bitcoin network consumes more energy per year than the entire country of Norway. This fact has made it difficult for institutions to adopt Bitcoin, as they’d be seen as promoting an environmentally-damaging asset.

But what else could Bitcoin be used for? The coin’s future may lie in being a medium of exchange, and it is already accepted by over 15,000 merchants worldwide. There are many benefits for merchants who accept BTC, such as faster transaction speeds, lower fees, and the ability to send cross-border payments easily.

Considering the points raised above, is it too late to buy Bitcoin? Unlike the best altcoins, Bitcoin struggles from a lack of utility, which has undoubtedly contributed to the bearish sentiment around the coin. 

Due to this, we believe that Bitcoin’s huge price movements are a thing of the past. However, for beginner investors looking to gain exposure to the crypto market, Bitcoin is still a viable option due to its accessibility.

What Experts Say on Whether it’s Too Late to Buy Bitcoin

With emerging cryptos now taking centre stage, the market’s attention is gradually shifting away from Bitcoin. However, many experts are still intrigued by the coin’s prospects. Let’s take a closer look at three experts that have discussed Bitcoin in recent times:

Michael Novogratz

Michael Novogratz is the CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners, an investment firm that focuses on the crypto markets. Novogratz is one of the largest investors in the space and reportedly has a net worth of over $1bn.

A recent article by Bloomberg quoted Novogratz as saying it’s “doubtful” that Bitcoin will exceed $30,000 anytime soon. Moreover, Novogratz also noted a lack of institutional capital flowing into the space, hampering Bitcoin’s progress.

Cathie Wood

Cathie Wood is a famous investor and founder of Ark Invest. Ark Invest emerged as one of the world’s most innovative investment firms in 2020, yet its downfall has been dramatic.

Although not directly attributed to Wood, an Ark Invest analyst came out earlier in the year and stated they believe BTC could value more than $1m by 2030. Wood herself has also admitted to purchasing $100,000 worth of Bitcoin, highlighting her bullish stance.

Jack Dorsey

Jack Dorsey is the co-founder of Twitter and co-founder of Block, Inc. – a leading digital payments company. Dorsey is an ardent crypto supporter and has stated his belief in Bitcoin on many occasions.

For example, Dorsey has been quoted as saying that “Bitcoin changes everything” and “The world will ultimately have a single currency, and I believe it will be Bitcoin”. Block, Inc. also offers BTC trading, highlighting Dorsey’s pro-crypto stance.

Where to Buy Bitcoin

Those wondering, “Is it too late to buy Bitcoin?” will now have a clearer understanding of Bitcoin’s plus points – and its downsides. Regardless, many investors will still wish to gain exposure to BTC’s price movements, as it still represents a viable option for portfolio diversification.

In our experience, one of the easiest ways to buy Bitcoin online is MEXC, which is a popular crypto exchange with 0% spot market trading fees.

All you have to do is sign up with your email, MetaMask wallet or Telegram or Google account and purchase Bitcoin with a SEPA bank transfer or a card. Some third-party service providers accept even Apple Pay and Google Pay. Depending on which way you choose to buy BTC, you’ll need to verify your ID. After that, you can either withdraw your Bitcoin or lock them in MEXC Savings to earn up to 1.80% APR.

If you need quick access to liquidity, use your BTC coins as collateral and borrow funds with MEXC Loans. This comes with low daily interest rates, which you can repay whenever you want. 

The minimum deposit with MEXC is $50.

Buy Bitcoin with MEXC

Is It Too Late to Buy Bitcoin? Our Verdict

Summarizing all of the points raised in this article, is it too late to buy Bitcoin? Given the information presented above, we believe it’s too late to buy Bitcoin for investors seeking exponential returns. The coin is in the ‘mature’ stage of its life cycle, meaning explosive growth is now a thing of the past. 

Moreover, Bitcoin has an evident lack of utility compared to projects like Ethereum and Cardano. These projects have smart contract functionality and offer a platform for dApp developers to make their ideas into reality. Bitcoin offers nothing like this, which has damaged its prospects irreversibly.

Although Bitcoin may not be one of the top crypto gainers in the future, it still has a role to play and should be considered as part of a diversified investment portfolio. The coin is the first to be adopted by institutions, likely leading to the spot Bitcoin ETF investors have been seeking. Moreover, BTC has emerged as a viable medium of exchange, which should help maintain a base level of demand.

However, it’s now challenging to back Bitcoin over the long term. The aforementioned lack of utility and its damaging environmental impact create a clear roadblock to progress. For this reason, we believe there are better options for crypto investors, especially those looking to make fast and large gains rather than waiting for an investment to mature.

BTC Halving Impact

Upcoming Bitcoin halving is set for 2024, which will lower the quantity of new BTC tokens entering the market.

This event will cut mining earnings from 6.25 to 3.125 Bitcoin. In the past, halvings have drastically altered Bitcoin’s price. For instance, after the 2012 halving, the price skyrocketed by a staggering 500% percentage. The 2016 halving resulted in a price rise of over 280% in the following months.

Post the 2020 halving, Bitcoin’s value rose by over 500%. Consequently, If the demand for Bitcoin goes up, we could see a significant increase in the value of BTC.

Top analysts at leading investment bank Standard Chartered believe the halving could see the price of BTC rocket to $120,000 by the end of 2024.

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Other Bitcoin Alternatives – Get High Staking Yields and Exposure to Bitcoin Mining with Bitcoin Minetrix

One of the best alternatives to Bitcoin at this time is Bitcoin Minetrix ($BTCMTX). This protocol offers a novel way to mine Bitcoin without costing the earth. 

Unlike  traditional Bitcoin mining which uses expensive equipment, Bitcoin Minetrix users stake their $BTCMTX tokens to earn ‘Cloud Mining Credits’ which can then be exchanged for Bitcoin mining power. This novel ‘stake to mine’ approach allows anyone to participate in Bitcoin mining without the high up-front costs.

The project is still in its presale stage meaning there has never been a better time to invest. All funds raised will go towards the building of the cloud mining platform. 

By staking their $BTCMTX tokens, holders can expect to earn passive rewards of 56% APY.

With the Bitcoin halving just around the corner, Bitcoin Minetrix see an opportunity for cloud mining to provide a cheaper and more cost effective alternative. So far, the team behind Bitcoin Minetrix have raised over $12 million of their $30 million goal.

All these use cases make Bitcoin Minetrix a potential alternative to Bitcoin. For more information, follow the team on X and join the Telegram channel.

Visit Bitcoin Minetrix

References:

• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-24/what-is-bitcoin-halving-and-does-it-push-up-the-cryptocurrency-s-price-q-a
• https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/
• https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/01/bitcoin-btc-is-at-a-tipping-point-citi-says.html
• https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/cryptocurrency/bitcoins-energy-usage-explained/
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-08/novogratz-doubtful-bitcoin-will-push-through-30-000-soon?leadSource=uverify%20wall
• https://www.ft.com/content/0948f1a9-ad0b-4126-9ae8-5ce4e212c07e
• https://www.reuters.com/technology/standard-chartered-bumps-up-bitcoin-forecast-120000-2023-07-10/

FAQs

Is it too late to buy Bitcoin in 2024?

The question of “Is it too late to buy Bitcoin in 2024?” is asked regularly, and our answer remains the same – it depends on the individual’s unique trading goals. However, if those goals are to generate triple-digit returns in a short space of time, we’d say it’s better to consider other coins.

Is Bitcoin going to go up in value soon?

It’s unlikely that Bitcoin’s value will rise substantially in the short term, as the sentiment around the crypto market is still overwhelmingly bearish. Moreover, the Fed has hinted at further rate increases, which puts even more pressure on risky assets like BTC.

How many years will Bitcoin last?

The last Bitcoin is expected to be mined by 2140, meaning there will be no more mining fees. This would likely make BTC unappealing to these miners, who may look elsewhere – prompting the coin to lose its top-tier status.

Can you still mine Bitcoin?

Yes, it’s still possible to mine Bitcoin. However, custom-built computing systems are now required due to the scale of the Bitcoin network.

 

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.