Cryptocurrency Part 2: How Do You Spend Cryptocurrency?

In part 1 of our three-part series, we introduced cryptocurrency in general. Next, let’s explore the challenges and opportunities that exist for those hoping to earn, store, and most importantly: how do you spend cryptocurrency, especially your bitcoin or similar cryptoassets?

What is Possible With Cryptocurrency?

As described in part 1, cryptocurrency is typically driven “by and for the people” in peer-to-peer exchanges. At least in theory, this permits it to flow more quickly and cheaply, with fewer fees and administrative hurdles. Ideally, cryptocurrency offers the potential to:

• Push Past Boundaries: Successful cryptocurrencies and the blockchain technologies behind them could offer a faster, cheaper, or at least additional way to conduct domestic and international commerce alike.

• Democratize Currency Exchange: Cryptocurrency as a means of exchange may particularly appeal to those who are not big fans of government oversight, or who live in a country that lacks dependable currency of its own.

• Make Money More “Programmable”: By optimizing different blockchains for different purposes, it may be possible to “program” a cryptocurrency to adhere to certain rules or conditions during an exchange. For example, this in-depth report describes how a cryptocurrency could potentially be programmed to act as a digital trust, contract, or escrow reserve, which could only be unlocked when certain conditions were met.

What Are the Crypto-Challenges?

On the flip side of the coin, many of the same qualities that appeal to cryptocurrency holders can also create challenges, even for established currencies like Bitcoin. 

• Competition: What if a competitor invents a better mousetrap, and the cryptocurrency you’re using falls out of favor? With no central authority in charge of safeguarding your ownership or preserving the worth of your cryptocurrency, its purchasing power may or may not endure. As one chief investment officer observed in a January 2021 Financial Advisor piece, “There is little in our view to stop a cryptocurrency’s price from going to zero when a better designed version is launched or if regulatory changes stifle sentiment.”
   
• Theft: Recent evidence suggests bitcoin theft decreased dramatically in 2020 … or at least became harder to detect. Either way, cryptocurrency remains an appealing target for cyberthieves with long histories of finding new nefarious strategies, even as older ones are shut down. Granted, the same thing can happen to your legal tender, but there is typically more government protection and insurance coverage in place for more regulated accounts.

• Loss: Your cryptocurrency “wallet” is typically secured through a password that you – and only you – know; consequences are dire if you lose that password (or if a thief does get ahold of it). Best case, you may be able to pay a professional 10%–20% to recover your coins. Worst case, your coins may be gone for good. A January 2021 BBC piece reported, “Currently, about $140bn worth of Bitcoin is lost or left in wallets that cannot be accessed.”

• Supply and Demand: A government can seek to stabilize its currency’s spending power by adding to or pulling back on supply as demand rises or falls. In contrast, Bitcoin’s supply is fixed and finite. With a maximum set at 21 million bitcoin, approximately 18.6 million are already in circulation as of January 2021, with no mechanism for reducing that supply when demand declines. Time will tell whether this model remains a sustainable way to store value.

• Government Regulation: Speaking of governments, since cryptocurrency was uncharted (unregulated) territory until quite recently, the rules of engagement are still largely under construction. As such, your cryptocurrency could suddenly become more or less appealing to hold, trade, or exchange, depending on countries’ rapidly evolving reporting requirements, taxable ramifications, judicial findings, and other regulatory acts.
   
• Energy Consumption: Last but not least, cryptocurrency mining centers around the globe are using enormous amounts of electricity. In December 2020, MarketWatch reported bitcoin production alone was annually “gobbling up the energy of a country of more than 200 million people.” The same report notes that most production is coming out of coal-fueled China, where “bitcoin production is likely to be particularly dirty.” Iran recently shut down most of its bitcoin processing centers as the country faced rolling blackouts and toxic smog in Tehran. In short, many cryptocurrencies aren’t exactly “green” money.

Given the challenges, no wonder one tweet from a celebrity can still send a bitcoin’s spending power sinking or skyrocketing overnight. You don’t generally see that from a dollar bill!

Still there are many who believe cryptocurrency is here to stay. Are they right? Will cryptocurrency prevail, and ultimately become a widely accepted means of exchange? If so, which ones will sink? Which will swim? Under what circumstances?

We wouldn’t bet your life’s savings on any particular outcome – which brings us to our next topic of conversation: Does cryptocurrency belong in your evidence-based investment portfolio? Our short answer is no – at the very least, not yet. In part 3, we’ll explain why.

Cogent’s Take on Investing in Cryptocurrency

Blockchain and digital assets are new asset classes with the potential to transform commerce on a global scale. Our responsibility is to our clients as a Registered Investment Advisor in adopting new asset classes and investment solutions. Cogent and Buckingham Strategic Partners are investigating crypto digital assets products, solutions and custodians as we speak. There are many concerns which need to be addressed for us to feel comfortable in making a recommendation. The U.S. Security and Exchange Commission also is looking at this currently, letting special purpose broker-dealers to custody digital assets, under certain conditions, and is requesting comments on the “evolving standards and best practices” with respect to custody of digital asset securities. 

We are looking forward to the day when our industry can provide a solution which affords a high level of safety, security and confidence in the marketplace, helping to reduce the risk of scam, fraud and abuse for our clients. Till then, we are not recommending digital assets in our clients portfolios.

We believe strongly that you deserve to work with a financial advisor that understands your specific goals and has the right mentality and expertise to help you achieve those goals.

The right advisor should leave you feeling confident about your future and not at all in the dark.

Life isn’t linear .

Your plan shouldn’t be either.

Navigating your finances through each phase of life requires more than just a plan.

It requires a partner.

At Cogent Strategic Wealth, we help high-achieving individuals, like yourself, develop clear goals for your financial future and guide you in taking the right steps to achieve them.

If you want to know more about how Cogent’s team members and our path assisting professionals just like you in creating a plan to realize your financial goals.

Let’s start a conversation. We’ll listen to what success looks like for you, build a plan tailored to you, and help you execute that plan every step of the way. 

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