PAW Chain (formerly known as PAW Swap) is a Layer 3 blockchain designed to enhance scalability, security and interchain operability for DeFi. Learn more here.

PAW Chain isn’t just another blockchain: it represents a leap forward in 

 (DeFi). Leveraging a multiple chains framework and advanced Layer 3 solutions, PAW Chain aims to provide improved speed, security and scalability for digital transactions. At its core, the platform integrates transaction handling and application usage, creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience.

The PAW Wallet, a comprehensive solution for users, integrates all necessary features for an interoperable DeFi experience. Meanwhile, PAW Bridge paves the way for smooth connections between different blockchains, making asset transfers and operational tasks seamless. Connecting multiple blockchains with the same codebases across various platforms ensures extensive compatibility and functionality for PAW Chain.

PAW Chain functions as a Layer 3 blockchain (see below), created to improve scalability and facilitate interchain operability. Initially known as PAW Swap, the rebranding to PAW Chain marks a significant shift toward a more advanced blockchain solution. 

The native crypto asset of this ecosystem, PAW, plays a crucial role in maintaining the platform’s scalability and functionality.

PAW Chain aims to revolutionize the blockchain industry by providing a more efficient and secure infrastructure. Its rebranding signifies the project’s commitment to evolving and meeting the demands of a growing digital finance landscape.

Layer 3 represents the application layer that enhances user experience and scalability in the blockchain ecosystem. Leveraging the scalability of Layer 2 solutions allows Layer 3 to significantly improve transaction handling and processing speed. This makes it ideal for managing high-frequency transactions, a key feature of PAW Chain.

PAW Chain’s Layer 3–centric blockchain is designed to function across multiple layers, creating a connected chain that fosters a scalable and efficient ecosystem. This architecture facilitates better communication across different blockchains, enabling seamless data sharing and interaction. Its focus on user-friendly interfaces and specialized applications further enhances the overall user experience.

 began on Jan 16, 2023, led by five main brand developers and supported by various specialized teams. The introduction of the PAW token marked a significant milestone, with the token reaching a market capitalization of approximately $100 million at its peak. This rapid growth has garnered the trust of over 10,000 holders, reflecting the strong community support behind the project.

PAW Chain’s commitment to DeFi principles and its extensive adoption in the blockchain ecosystem have been driving forces behind its development. Its community forms the core of PAW Chain, significantly contributing to its brand identity and growth.

The transition from PAW Swap to PAW Chain involved a meticulous migration process to maintain the total supply and value of PAW tokens. PAW Coin, the new native asset, is designed to be represented as wPAW for compatibility across various blockchain networks. This rebranding marks a strategic move to enhance interchain operability and position PAW Chain as a leader in the blockchain industry.

A snapshot of PAWSWAP token holders will enable a smooth transition to PAW Coin or wPAW. Initial liquidity for PAW Coin will be established on 

The overall supply of PAW Coin will remain capped at 1 quadrillion, ensuring stability during the migration. CertiK will audit the migration process to ensure transparency and security.

PAW Chain aims to enhance scalability and security in the DeFi sector through its innovative Layer 3 blockchain technology. The network is designed to efficiently accommodate high-frequency transactions for a significant increase in transaction volume without sacrificing performance. This makes it a robust platform for digital finance and trading capabilities.

Interchain operability is another key goal of PAW Chain, enabling 

 to engage with multiple blockchains and enhancing the ecosystem’s versatility. Future initiatives include the development of an e-commerce marketplace and advanced merchant services to expand its utility. In addition, the project aims to create enhanced privacy through advanced cryptographic techniques and biometric security features in the PAW Wallet.

PAW Chain operates across Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks, creating a scalable and efficient system. The platform is designed for high-speed transactions, ensuring a smooth user experience once fully launched. A unique 

 mechanism will be implemented, whereby a percentage of tokens will be permanently removed, promoting 

Only trusted and audited blockchains will be supported, enhancing interoperability and inclusiveness. PAW Chain acts as the core processing platform for all utilities within the PAW ecosystem, ensuring efficient and secure transactions. Rigorous security measures, including a CertiK audit with a score of 92.49, further enhance the platform’s safety.

PAW Chain offers a range of features designed to enhance DeFi by providing a more scalable and secure blockchain infrastructure. These include PAW Swap, PAW Wallet, PAW Scanner, PAW Bridge, PAW DAO, PAW Virtual Card and PAW Pools, each one contributing to overall functionality and user experience of the platform.

Unified liquidity pools enhance the efficiency and reach of decentralized applications (

 enables effortless token exchanges directly within user wallets, enhancing portfolio management by allowing immediate adjustments based on market dynamics. The platform employs 

 (AMM) mechanisms, ensuring liquidity and minimizing price fluctuations. Users can access competitive transaction fees, making PAW Swap an attractive option for cost-effective trading.

Participants in PAW Swap can earn rewards by providing liquidity, receiving 

 that grant them a share of the pool’s assets and trading fees. The platform is designed with user-friendly interfaces, catering to both novice and experienced traders in the crypto asset space.

Additionally, PAW Swap utilizes an aggregator that analyzes multiple sources in real time to provide the best trading rates for users.

 enhances user experience by allowing personalized wallet addresses with the .paw username format, making transactions easier to remember. It features advanced privacy measures, including cryptographic techniques to protect transactions and biometric authentication for added security. Users can track their activities with detailed transaction histories and real-time updates within the PAW Wallet, utilizing unique PAW usernames.

As the native wallet for PAW Chain, PAW Wallet integrates seamlessly with all services and DApps on the platform. The wallet employs a robust security framework, including a triple accounting ledger and adherence to stringent security guidelines.

 is designed to provide real-time monitoring of transactions within the PAW Chain, thereby ensuring high precision in tracking activities. Future updates for PAW Scanner will include features such as contract validation and wallet tracking, demonstrating ongoing enhancements in functionality. This feature supports seamless integration with multiple blockchains, ensuring efficient transactions and overall interoperability.

PAW Scanner enhances asset management by providing integrated tools for tracking and managing digital assets across various blockchains. Its security is reinforced by a three-step redundant failure prevention system, and its capabilities include real-time integration with leading networks to facilitate uninterrupted asset management.

PAW Bridge supports seamless integration across multiple blockchain networks, minimizing the complexities and costs typically involved in such deployments. It allows projects to maintain the same contract address while deploying their crypto assets across different chains, ensuring consistent access to liquidity. Real-time monitoring is implemented to quickly detect and address security threats, enhancing overall ecosystem integrity.

Security and compliance for PAW Bridge are prioritized both through audits by CertiK and adherence to standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). PAW Bridge supports multiple types of assets, allowing for versatile transactions across different blockchain platforms. It incorporates a fee structure that varies based on the transactions executed across connected networks.

 (DAO) model, aims to ensure a community-driven governance model over project decisions and resource allocation. Token holders can propose and vote on key initiatives, enhancing engagement and decentralized control. The DAO is central to the future direction of PAW Chain, allowing community members to influence development and operational strategies.

Participants in PAW DAO can receive rewards for their contributions to governance and to decision-making processes. Voting in a DAO is public, ensuring transparency in the way decisions are made. This decentralized nature prevents concentrated control, distributing decision-making across a broader community.

 allows users to efficiently manage their digital assets, providing integrated transaction handling across multiple blockchains. It facilitates seamless connection and interaction with prominent blockchains, such as Ethereum and Avalanche, ensuring users can access liquidity pools that span various connected chains. With the PAW Virtual Card, users can easily swap assets across different chains, enhancing their portfolio management.

Security is a top priority with PAW Virtual Card, which incorporates a redundant three-step failure prevention system within the PAW infrastructure. This ensures that users’ assets remain safe and secure during transactions, providing peace of mind in managing digital finance.

PAW Chain liquidity pools allow users to easily access and trade across multiple blockchains. These pools are designed for seamless integration, enabling efficient cross-chain transactions and enhancing market accessibility. In future phases, PAW Pools will introduce customized fee structures at the bridge level for better liquidity management.

With PAW Pools, users can access liquidity from multiple connected blockchains, improving their market opportunities and ensuring efficient liquidity management. This feature will enhance the overall trading capabilities and performance of the PAW Chain ecosystem.

PAW Chain’s road map includes the development of various DApps, including systems for 

 energy trading and secure educational platforms. Future applications also encompass the e-commerce marketplace mentioned above and advanced point-of-sale systems to facilitate transactions.

Technological advancements on the horizon for PAW Chain include exploring new consensus algorithms and implementing its specific burn mechanism, as well as the development of payment cards with a focus on global usability while considering regional specifics.

PAW Coin (PAW) is the native token of PAW Chain. PAW token holders have voting rights, enabling them to participate in PAW Chain's future decisions. For those with 

 PAWSWAP tokens, migration is supported directly through Pawchain.net. 

Of the total PAW token supply of 1 quadrillion, 350 trillion were allocated for team finance, as well as token holder rewards and ecosystem development. The remaining tokens were reserved for liquidity provisioning and growth.

 over the next four years, from $0.000000028970629 at the end of 2024 to $0.000000032742034 by the end of 2027 and $0.000000033117723 one year later.

Although PAW Chain’s Layer 3 endeavor is a new project, it has solid backing with thousands of individual token holders, and has recently introduced advanced features with true utility. While the price of PAW is expected to change minimally over the next few years, the token’s price is negligible. This makes it easy to take advantage of PAW Chain features and to have a say in community governance.

Of course, it’s still crucial for potential investors to 

PAW Chain is a pioneering Layer 3 blockchain that offers enhanced security measures and efficient solutions for digital finance. Its low-cost transactions and rigorous security standards make it an attractive platform for both users and developers. PAW Chain’s core team members have developed a system that supports high-frequency transactions while ensuring regulatory compliance and performance.

With key features such as PAW Wallet, PAW Swap and PAW Bridge, PAW Chain provides a comprehensive suite of tools for managing digital assets. In addition, its future initiatives showcase its potential to revolutionize the blockchain industry. As PAW Chain continues to evolve, it promises to deliver greater control, security and efficiency in the digital finance ecosystem.

Intermediate

PAW Chain (PAW): Enhancing Blockchain With Layer 3 Solutions

Let's revisit staking as volatility continues dominating the market.

Risk appetite has become noticeably lower among traders and investors this week as recent economic data weakness triggered a large scale of unwinds across different asset classes, including crypto. The Volatility Index (VIX) 

 over 50 on Monday in the U.S. trading session, the highest level since Covid, before stabilizing in the 22 to 27 area.

Risk-off was one of the major narratives in the crypto space as well. Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a widely used indicator for measuring investor sentiment in crypto, has touched 17, indicating risk appetite has been extremely low. Despite the index returning to the neutral zone on August 9th, it seems too early to assume normalcy has returned. Chatters among trading communities appear to be ready to embrace more short-term 

Learn more about the Index and how it could affect trading decisions at 

For some users, it could be unbearable when the risk pendulum swings rapidly from one end to the other. At a time of uncertainty, 

 could provide lower-risk returns for crypto portfolios, and a recent development in the US10Y could make staking crypto a topic worth revisiting.

When the equity market sell-off happened earlier, the yield of the U.S. 10-year Treasury fell to below 3.8% at one point, marking it the lowest level since late last year. Interestingly, the annualized staking yield of ETH spiked at the height of this shaky market with the 

, which measures the mean annualized percentage rate (APR) of staking ETH, surged to over 4.0%. While it’s arguable to say if that’s a trend reversal, the recent surge could bring back some interest in staking, especially at a time when market volatility could still be a concern.

 offers a comprehensive suite of staking products, including Flexible Savings, Liquid Staking of ETH at attractive rates and flexible terms. Learn more about earn products at 

Figure 5: ETH staking at Bybit Türkiye Earn

The above calculations and examples are for demonstration purposes only. In order to deliver the message, the examples may simplify potentially complex scenarios, and the yield embedded in the mentioned products can vary over time when entering a contract. The actual performances and yields of these products may differ from the simplified examples provided, as real-world conditions are more dynamic and complex.

Advanced

Investors Hold Breath Despite Crypto Markets Recoup From Sell-off

Decentralized identity is a method of verifying users' identities in web3 projects. Learn more about how it works in this article.

 project, proof of identity is essential for everything from cashing out crypto to recovering lost accounts. However, identity verification can be surprisingly complex. Many methods of identification rely on a centralized source of data, so they come with potential risks. To enjoy the full benefits of 

, a decentralized identity verification method is necessary. If you're interested in finding out how decentralized identity works and why it's so important, check out this helpful guide.

Decentralized identity is a method of verifying users' identities in web3 projects. When managing user identities in a decentralized fashion, organizations can ensure that no single, central party is in charge of issuing, storing and confirming user identities.

To understand how decentralized identity works, it's useful first to take a look at centralized identity verification. The typical identity verification method requires a user to provide their legal name, birth date or social security number. 

Since this information is issued by a government, it relies upon a single, central authority. Any identity verification method that involves obtaining information from an organization controlled by just a few people is a centralized identity provider.

Meanwhile, a decentralized identity relies on the classic principles of decentralization. In a truly decentralized environment, no single organization is in control of anything. Instead, multiple parties work together to create a trustless network where things can keep running, even if one or more parties are malicious actors. In order to create an identity verification method that’s decentralized, it needs to fulfill one or more of the following features:

Decentralized identity might seem like a minor component of blockchain development. However, it has a huge impact on the entire crypto space. Digital identities are essential for interacting with almost every part of the 

 world. While old-school blockchain transactions might only require a 

, modern ones usually involve working through websites, apps and programs. To do things like provide liquidity for a leveraged lending project or mine 

 in a game, identity information is required. 

This makes decentralized identity one of the most critical parts of a user's experience. There’s been a paradigm shift in the past five years or so, and people are no longer happy to turn over their own data to every website that asks for it. Widespread adoption of privacy standards means that the modern user is well-informed of the risk of identity theft and privacy invasion, and they demand a better solution. 

Ultimately, decentralized identity solutions provide many of the key benefits that modern web3 users desire. Decentralized identity provides them with more privacy and security. They can be more confident that their information isn't stolen in data breaches, or that a mix-up with a centralized identity provider isn't going to lock them out of their account. At the same time, decentralized identity can also provide the regulatory compliance that financial businesses require. When properly set up, a decentralized identity system can provide the appropriate level of identity verification needed to safely handle vast amounts of money and private information. 

Types of Decentralized Identity Solutions

Due to its decentralized nature, there is no single, foolproof design for decentralized identity. Here are some of the many ways web3 projects have used decentralized identity to reduce the risk of identity theft and provide users with more privacy and security.

 is one of the most popular options for those who prefer a decentralized identity. With a noncustodial crypto wallet, no third-party organization has custody of the user's crypto. Instead, a noncustodial wallet is like a digital safe. Only the owner has the keys to access its contents, and they can transfer assets without needing to provide any further details of their digital identity. 

Distributed name services are a helpful option for organizations that require each user to have a name. They consist of a decentralized hub capable of looking up and authenticating names. This allows users to submit an accurate name, without needing to mention their legal name or rely on governmental departments. Distributed name services can be helpful for promoting decentralized identity, but they do necessitate some reliance on a third party. The name service is only decentralized if its organization is thoroughly decentralized, so it's important to research these services before trusting them with your personal data.

An unstoppable domain is a new way of managing domain names for sites without requiring users to go through a central registration authority. It functions as an NFT that’s linked to a specific crypto wallet. Users essentially turn their desired web domain into an NFT, and then their information is secured through a decentralized blockchain.

 take the concept of decentralized identity and put it directly onto a blockchain. With this type of technology, users and organizations can self-issue tokens that store their identities’ data on the chain. These tokens are nontransferable, so once they’re linked to a specific user they can’t be moved to another one. This allows projects to attach functions and assets to a single user without needing any details on that user's legal identity.

Proof of humanity is a type of decentralized identity system that relies on social verification. It typically entails submitting a video and then verifying that the entity in it is a human. Some proof of humanity sites also involve browsing participants' social media to check for signs of reasonable behavior. 

Proof of humanity sites can require people to share some of their own data, so widespread adoption isn't guaranteed. However, it can be a useful way of confirming users are authorized to participate in bot-free environments, without asking for users' legal identities.

Benefits of Having a Decentralized Identity

Decentralized identity comes with many benefits for both users and crypto companies. The biggest advantage is security. Cryptographic techniques used for decentralized identity management are a great way to reduce the risk of data breaches and identity theft. No single entity is responsible for security, so customers' private information won’t get stolen because one person made a mistake. Decentralized identity systems have multiple safeguards that maken them much more difficult to access.

This extra security also leads to extra accuracy. With decentralization, it's much harder to damage identity records. For instance, a single server going down due to a power outage won't make it impossible to retrieve data. This results in a user-centric approach that prioritizes customers' convenience and safety. Users can be confident that their verifiable credentials are always accurate, and can be accessed by the desired people at the right time. 

Decentralization does more than just provide practical benefits like privacy and security: its other huge benefit is that it's more accessible. When identity management services are left in the hands of centralized authorities, everyone has to rely upon a single organization. If that organization doesn't provide the services you need, you're out of luck. In the field of identity and access management, this is often seen in cases where a person struggles to get the right ID card because they don't have a strictly regulated list of documents with specific addresses and photos attached. 

With decentralized identity systems, users have more options. There’s no single gatekeeper for identification, so if a user falls afoul of ineffective rules they can choose an identity management service with more reasonable regulations. 

The risks of decentralized identity are primarily related to technological issues. Although the decentralized identity approach works well in theory, in reality it can be hard to implement. Distributed ledger technology often struggles to scale, and a system managing hundreds of thousands of identities might take longer to locate and present information. Compared to centralized systems, a decentralized system can take more hardware to run, since it has so many instances operating. This can make it cost-prohibitive to effectively handle customers' identity needs.

Decentralized identity can also be challenging because it requires a little more effort. There are more options for identification verification, but not all of them are equally valid. The community can even include some scams masquerading as legitimate decentralized identity management systems. Therefore, users need to be able to research and understand some basic technical concepts if they want the best data protection and identity security possible. 

The other major downside of decentralized identity is simply its novelty and lack of adoption. Most people are used to centralized identity systems, and switching the way things have always been done takes time. Some forms of decentralized identity might not be compliant with current regulatory standards, and may not have earned the trust of the general population. It may take time for public opinion and financial regulations to catch up with decentralized identity concepts. 

Decentralized Identity vs. Centralized Identity vs. Self-Sovereign Identity

Keep in mind that a lot of discussions around decentralized identity also bring up secondary concepts such as self-sovereign identity. To discuss the subject thoroughly, it's helpful to take a quick look at what distinguishes these three identity types. 

The following are their respective key characteristics:

Decentralized identities are currently showing up in many surprising locations. The following are some of the ways that many systems are starting to shift to decentralized identity management:

Should You Have a Decentralized Identity?

Exploring decentralized identity is certainly worthwhile. While centralized systems still have their place in the modern world, decentralized identity systems have their own perks. If you're interested in maintaining your privacy and security, you can use things like digital signatures to verify transactions. This type of identity isn't yet acceptable in all situations, but for sites that allow it, it's a great way to protect data and avoid the pitfalls of centralization. 

For the modern web3 enthusiast, a decentralized identity also comes with some additional perks: users who have decentralized identities can access parts of the web not available through traditional identities. A decentralized identity also gives you the chance to explore cutting-edge features that may eventually become a mainstay of modern life. 

Decentralized identity concepts are an intriguing application of blockchain technology. By attaching identification to decentralized networks, it's possible to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of centralized identity providers. Though it may take some time for this concept to achieve full acceptance, it has the potential to provide unparalleled levels of privacy and security.

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Decentralized Identity: Empowering User Control and Privacy

Take a look at stablecoins. How are they different from other crypto assets? And are they a good investment?

Stablecoins have become increasingly popular, with their market cap reaching $164 billion in August 2024. But how are they different from other crypto assets? And are they a good investment? Let’s explore more about what it is.

Stablecoins are crypto assets that have their price pegged to or backed by a stable asset, or group of assets. Most are pegged to fiat i.e. real currency. However, some may be pegged to the price of commodities such as gold, or even other crypto assets. Some are not pegged to any asset. 

Many see stablecoins as having the best of both worlds – they possess the blockchain technology that most crypto assets possess, but are without the volatility that Bitcoin and other crypto assets can suffer from. They are stable coins in the literal sense of the word. 

How do stablecoins work so they are actually kept stable?

How is Price Stability and Low Volatility Achieved?

Price stability and low volatility are often cited as major advantages of stablecoins. It should be noted however that stablecoins are only as stable as the asset they are pegged to. 

Although by their nature, stablecoins are pegged to assets that are expected to be stable themselves, that’s not to say they are not immune to volatility. 

Price swings could still happen, thus affecting the volatility of the stablecoin. Thankfully, this is rare. Stablecoins are generally very stable because of the high stability of the asset they are pegged to. 

But how are stablecoins kept stable, or in other words, how do they keep their peg maintained? 

This comes down to the issue of trust. For the peg to be maintained, the market needs to have trust in the asset the coin is pegged to. That’s why coins are pegged to trusted assets such as US dollars, gold and oil. 

 (USDT), for example, is pegged to the U.S. dollar, meaning that for every unit of USDT, parent company Tether keeps a U.S. dollar in reserves. If the market didn’t hold trust in that one unit of USDT was worth one dollar, then it would crash. However, the fact that USDT for the most part has been always very close to one dollar in value, is a testament to the trust the market has in it.

Price stability and low volatility can bring convenience, but in what ways are stablecoins used? 

Stablecoins are being increasingly used for transactions, with the blockchain technology enabling international transactions to be done significantly more quickly than more traditional means. Additionally, some individuals and merchants may be perhaps understandably resistant to transact in a crypto asset which may fluctuate in price massively in a short period of time, such as Bitcoin. With stablecoins, this risk is significantly lower.

Also in developing countries, they are used as an alternative to the failing bank systems where many don’t have a bank account at all and hyperinflation can be a huge problem. 

was launched in Venezuela and Angola in 2019 in an attempt to combat these issues.

Let’s imagine a trader is concerned about the risk of the price of Bitcoin falling against the U.S. dollar. They may not want to exchange to fiat, as this can be expensive due to processing fees. So, that’s where exchanging to a stablecoin can be a handy option. They could be exchanged to a stablecoin pegged to the price of the U.S. dollar, such as USDT or USDC, and this risk is then taken away.

 in recent years has become well-established in the financial sector, and offers a public blockchain-based alternative to traditional financial services through the use of smart contracts. Stablecoins play their part as they offer a stable means of transactions taking place in the DeFi system.

Four different types of stablecoins exist. Three types are backed by collateral, and one type is not. In addition to this, two types are centralized (held by a central entity), and two types are decentralized (not held by a central entity).

Most stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies, such as USD, EUR or GBP. This is done at, or very near to, a 1:1 ratio. This essentially means that for every stablecoin, there is a unit of fiat currency stored somewhere in reserves too.

So let’s imagine that somebody wants to convert their stablecoins into cash. The institution storing the stablecoins will send the fiat currency being stored in reserves to the individual’s bank account, and the amount of stablecoins equating to the amount of fiat circulation will be removed from circulation.

Most stablecoins in this category are collateralized to gold, but they can be collateralized to other commodities too, including metals, oil, or real estate. These commodities act as mechanisms to limit price volatility. Commodity-backed stablecoins can give everyday investors the opportunity to invest in commodities. Although investments in assets such as gold have traditionally been for the rich, these types of stablecoins have opened them up to potentially a whole new demographic of people.

Some stablecoins are pegged to crypto assets. In contrast to fiat-backed stablecoins, crypto asset-backed stablecoins are issued through smart contracts. As crypto asset prices can be notoriously volatile, coins are often backed by multiple crypto assets. So if one suffers price volatility, the others can absorb the shock while remaining stable. 

Additionally, some are protected by a process called over-collateralization. It means when the coin is backed by an asset more than the value of the coin, and is used as a protective measure. So, instead of a ratio 1:1 like fiat, the ratio may be 1:2 instead, meaning that the stablecoin is backed up by crypto asset collateral double its value.

Believe it or not, noncollateralized stablecoins do exist: this type of stablecoin is known as the 

. The supply of these stablecoins is controlled by algorithmic pegging and smart contracts. Supply and demand drive the prices of these stablecoins. The supply of these stablecoins is controlled by an algorithm-based model known as seigniorage shares.

If the price of the stablecoin increases, then coins will be issued by the algorithm until the supply and demand achieve equilibrium. If the price of the stablecoin decreases, then the supply of the coins will be reduced until supply and demand also achieves equilibrium. By doing these things, the algorithm can keep the price of the coin stable.

There are contrasting options on whether stablecoins are a good investment or not. Let’s look at some of the arguments for and against.

Reasons for Stablecoins Being a Good Investment

Reasons for Stablecoins not Being a Good Investment

Although the question of if stablecoins are a good investment is open to debate, what isn’t is that they have much potential. They bring the benefits of blockchain technology and stability, meaning they can be relied upon for transactions in the crypto ecosystem. Their mass adoption has the potential to revolutionize traditional means of financial transactions and provide a much-needed avenue for the billions unbanked (those without a bank account) around the world. They could prove to be a safe haven from the hyperinflation which plagues some third-world countries. The future is bright for stablecoins. 

Beginner

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Stablecoins: Unpacking Their Role & Impact in the Crypto Market

Bitcoin

Investing

Bitcoin has been a lucrative investment for many, but its volatility makes it prudent to delve into comprehensive research and employ risk management strategies when investing in it.

 launched in January 2009, it’s turned many people into millionaires and has even created a handful of billionaires through their well-timed buy and sell transactions. More than that, Bitcoin has gained prominence as the future of 

 (DeFi) and has been adopted by many as a functional currency. Based on its astounding 

, Bitcoin is by far the most prominent crypto asset today and is often the focus of investors' interests.

Nevertheless, as is true with all digital currencies, Bitcoin is highly volatile, presenting investors with the chance for extraordinary profits as well as the significant risk of substantial loss. Bitcoin's price dropped by over 10% in August 2023 to $26,000, making it the worst month for the year. Additionally, Bitcoin's price plummeted to $16,000 in 2022, 75% below its all-time high of over $69,000.

With these factors in mind, we’ll explore whether Bitcoin is a good investment in 2023.

Bitcoin is the world's first successful crypto asset, created by a pseudonymous individual(s), 

, in January 2009. Developed as an alternative to fiat money, its decentralized nature empowers users with control over their wealth without relying on centralized institutions such as banks.

Bitcoin achieves decentralized consensus through its use of the 

 (PoW) consensus mechanism, which involves competing miners using the power of computers to solve complex mathematical puzzles to validate and confirm transactions and add them to the blockchain. This PoW mechanism ensures the integrity and security of the network.

Bitcoin is distinct from traditional investment options that you may be more familiar with, such as stocks and commodities. Unlike corporate stocks, which represent ownership in a centralized business entity that generates revenue from its products or services, Bitcoin isn’t a tangible, raw material. Instead, its core function is as a decentralized digital currency.

From a utility perspective, Bitcoin presents a transformative potential in the financial world by leveraging decentralized 

 to validate and secure its transactions. For example, Bitcoin transactions occur directly between users, without needing a third-party intermediary such as banks, which helps facilitate smoother, faster cross-border transactions. In addition, transactions recorded on the blockchain are immutable, which means they cannot be altered or reversed. These characteristics offer a high level of payment security and help to prevent fraud.

Yet, while Bitcoin is increasingly employed as a medium for purchasing goods and services, its adoption for such real-world transactions remains in its early stages. Some individuals may use Bitcoin for real-world transactions or as a potentially lucrative investment, but those in the broader crypto community mainly invest in Bitcoin to support the evolution of the crypto industry and the wider adoption of digital currencies.

There’s a fixed supply of Bitcoin’s native token, BTC. Specifically, the maximum supply is locked at 

. Currently, 19.48 million BTC are in circulation. Because of the limited supply of BTC tokens, Bitcoin’s value is solidly rooted in the fundamental economic principle of supply and demand. As demand for BTC increases, upward pressure raises the price. However, when demand decreases, the price of BTC correspondingly decreases.

Fiat currencies, which are widely used around the world, are also subject to price fluctuations based on supply and demand. However, banking systems can create more money, such as by extending credit to borrowers. In addition, governments can print more money. Both of these activities play a role in the value of fiat currencies, but these factors aren’t at play in determining Bitcoin’s value.

As a digital currency, Bitcoin has a few key characteristics.

With a fixed supply of BTC and with most of those tokens already in circulation, the scarcity of BTC plays a direct role in the value of this digital asset. In addition, Bitcoin has a halving event approximately every four years, after which the reward received by the network's miners is halved. After the 

, the payout to miners will be cut from the current 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC.

Halving plays a key role in contracting supply, and has historically had a profound impact on Bitcoin’s price. For example, the 2012 event took BTC’s price from $12.53 to $126 just five months after the halving. In 2016, the price went from $650.87 to $763.91, and in 2020, Bitcoin's price rose from $8,852.62 to $11,286.54.

Some strategy advisors suggest purchasing BTC roughly six months before a halving event and holding it for at least six months afterward. However, while BTC’s price has historically increased after halving events, it’s crucial to understand that all crypto investments are risky. There is no guarantee that the next halving event will yield the same impact on price as the previous ones.

 that entails solving complex mathematical equations to verify transactions, thereby consuming a substantial amount of electricity. This results in high operating costs because electricity drives the equipment necessary to mine Bitcoin — and to mitigate the heat that the mining machines produce. The combination of immense energy consumption and resultant high costs of Bitcoin mining creates a steep entry barrier to newcomers, ultimately driving up the price of Bitcoin.

As of Sep 12, 2023, Bitcoin remains the largest crypto asset based on 

, the second largest crypto asset, boasts a market cap of $189.95 billion. While Ethereum hasn’t yet surpassed Bitcoin's market cap, some crypto enthusiasts believe that the so-called 

Ethereum's recent transition from PoW to 

 (PoS) network, known as The Merge, positions it as a front-runner in the realm of 

 platforms. Those monitoring the possibility of a Flippening note that Ethereum has already surpassed Bitcoin’s number of transactions and amount of transaction fees paid — significant indicators of its growing utility and adoption.

Nonetheless, Bitcoin’s market cap has continued to rise alongside Ethereum’s, and the upcoming halving event will likely reinforce Bitcoin’s dominance.

The value of Bitcoin is heavily influenced by public interest, and both word of mouth and media coverage drive public interest. Interest in Bitcoin investing tends to accelerate rapidly when the price is trending upward. As more people invest in Bitcoin, the price increases further. Eventually, such speculation and grand hopes of getting rich quickly lead to a 

Short-term investors looking for a quick profit complete Bitcoin transactions rapidly at the first sign of a mass selloff, hoping to lock in what profit their Bitcoin investment has produced. 

Historically, the media has picked up on rapid rises in the price of Bitcoin. This can create an even greater frenzy in Bitcoin investing, even among those with minimal interest in the crypto asset market. However, just as the media begins to cover stories about rapid price increases, it also reports price drops —which contribute to panic selling, resulting in tremendous price decreases. In this way, public interest and media coverage can both feed into Bitcoin price surges and declines. 

A Closer Look at Bitcoin's Historical Performance

For crypto asset investors wondering if Bitcoin is a good investment, a review of its historical performance can be helpful.

In recent years, inflation and the printing of more U.S. dollars have contributed to increased interest in investing in the crypto asset market, due to Bitcoin's reputation as 

Bitcoin's strong market cap, investor demand and scarcity drove it to reach its all-time high of $69,000 in 2021. However, the volatility of the crypto asset market has yielded sharp declines in BTC’s price as well. For example, in November 2022, BTC fell to a low of $16,000 after the 

 brought about by several crises, most notably the 

Throughout its history, Bitcoin's price has been substantially influenced by overbuying and overselling. Those who invest in Bitcoin often focus heavily on market sentiment and media influence. However, volatility represents opportunities for significant profits among short-term investors. Additionally, Bitcoin’s price grew by an astounding 37,000% between 2013 and 2023, making it a potentially lucrative long-term investment as well.

As with other digital currencies, Bitcoin’s price took a deep plunge in 2022. Specifically, its market value declined by 65% in 2022, falling to $16,000 in November. Numerous macroeconomic factors took their toll on the crypto market in 2022, particularly the FTX debacle and the Terra/Luna crash.

The very first catalyst was the Terra/Luna crash in May 2022, when the third largest stablecoin, 

 (UST), depegged from the U.S. Dollar, dropping to a price of $0.035 on May 9. A few days later, its sister token, 

, which was meant to help maintain the price of UST, fell in value from almost $80 to barely a few cents. When Terra/Luna collapsed, it produced a 

The crypto market faced another devastating crisis in November 2022 with the collapse of one of the world's largest crypto asset exchanges, FTX, which filed for bankruptcy due to a combination of liquidity crunch, large withdrawal volume and fund mismanagement. The FTX downfall resulted in an estimated 

The ripple effects of these two crises raised the overall 

 (fear, uncertainty and doubt) as investors began to view crypto as a highly volatile and speculative asset, contributing to lower risk tolerance.

On Aug 1, 2023, the price of BTC was $29,233. It then fell to $26,042 on Aug 19. Several factors 

For example, SpaceX had reportedly sold a substantial amount (or possibly all) of its Bitcoin holdings, amounting to $373 million, early in the month. Additionally, the expectation of another Fed interest rate hike in the near future and increasing government bond yields may have contributed to negative crypto sentiment. Outside of the U.S., the devaluation of the Chinese yuan and the property crisis brought about by the downfall of Chinese property giant Evergrande produced downward pressure on Bitcoin's price.

While BTC is currently priced lower than its high of $30,000 in early 2023, this may actually be positive news for those interested in investing in it. Bitcoin has had numerous price dips throughout its history that have always been followed by substantial price increases. Given that a halving event will occur in April 2024, the current price dip could represent a fantastic opportunity to buy Bitcoin for a future profit.

Before investing in BTC, however, it’s essential to conduct both 

 to make more informed investment decisions. Bitcoin’s historical performance doesn’t necessarily guarantee that its price will rise again in the future, and numerous factors may create upward or downward pressure on its price. In addition, given the volatility of the crypto market, investors must practice caution by investing only what they can afford to lose.

Given Bitcoin’s volatile nature, it’s wise to proceed prudently with your investment in order to mitigate the risk of financial loss.

One way to reduce your risk exposure is to allocate a small portion of your total portfolio to your Bitcoin investment. Generally, a 1% allocation is a relatively low-risk investment, while investing up to 30% of your portfolio exposes you to a much more sizable loss if you sell Bitcoin at an inopportune time. Also, consider extending your portfolio to include stocks, bonds, real estate and other types of assets.

Buying low and selling high is the key to profiting from any investment, but this tack is particularly challenging in a highly volatile market. A proven way to tackle this challenge is with 

. Rather than investing a large amount at one time and hoping you hit the dip at its lowest point, you can make smaller purchases at regular intervals. 

It’s also essential to choose the right 

 to store your Bitcoin (hot wallet vs. cold wallet). A hot wallet is accessible on your phone or computer via the internet, and is typically provided by crypto asset service providers. In contrast, a cold wallet lets you store your crypto assets offline. The accessibility of a hot wallet appeals to many investors, but the enhanced security of a cold wallet has considerable benefits as well. When choosing a crypto asset exchange for your Bitcoin transactions, it’s important to research the type(s) of wallet it supports. 

 allow investors to profit from investing in Bitcoin without actually needing to own the volatile asset. A Bitcoin ETF is a pool of funds from numerous investors that tracks and mirrors Bitcoin pricing, and is traded on prominent stock exchanges. Nevertheless, because Bitcoin ETFs are traded freely on an exchange, similar to stocks, their pricing can sometimes diverge from Bitcoin's actual net asset value.

 facilitate the purchase of Bitcoin, exchange Bitcoin for fiat currencies and are commonly located in major population centers worldwide. These ATMs function in the same way that traditional ATMs do, so you can expect absolute convenience with their speed and ease of use. However, they charge steep transaction fees of up to 20%, and offer little to no customer support when problems or questions arise.

As the largest crypto asset by market cap, Bitcoin is available for purchase on numerous crypto asset exchanges. Each crypto asset exchange has unique features and benefits that can directly affect your investment experience. One leading exchange is Bybit Türkiye, highly regarded for its security measures. For example, Bybit Türkiye has enhanced security functions to ensure the 

. Bybit Türkiye also offers over 100 different crypto assets, and more than 300 

Is Bitcoin a Good Investment? [2024 Edition]