Crypto on the Cusp: Key Happenings as Bitcoin Halving Nears

Greetings, Crypto Bulls! Buckle up, because the next Bitcoin halving is just around the corner, and the past month has been a rollercoaster ride in the crypto markets. So, let's dive into the key happenings that have shaped the landscape as we approach this pivotal event.

Bitcoin in the Spotlight:

  • Price Fluctuations: The orange giant has seen its fair share of ups and downs, hovering around the $42,000 mark. While not reaching the moon yet, accumulation trends are strong, with investors holding onto their BTC, potentially anticipating a post-halving surge.

  • Fed Influence: Jerome Powell's hawkish stance on inflation threw a curveball, causing a temporary dip. However, many see this as a short-term hurdle, with the halving remaining the main catalyst for long-term price movements.

  • Technical Indicators: On-chain data paints a bullish picture, with metrics suggesting a "buy-the-dip" opportunity. However, historical patterns point to a possible post-halving correction, so caution is advised.

Beyond Bitcoin:

  • Ethereum's Merge: The long-awaited Ethereum 2.0 upgrade continues to inch closer, aiming to improve scalability and reduce energy consumption. This could significantly impact the entire DeFi ecosystem.

  • Altcoin Volatility: While Bitcoin steadies, some altcoins have been on a wild ride. Solana faced significant volatility, while XRP continued its decline. Keep a close eye on these developments to identify potential opportunities.

  • Akash Network is emerging as a powerful ecosystem, with Akash protocol being the first blockchain to achieve IBC communication with the Cosmos Hub; empowering seamless connection to other IBC compatible blockchains. AKT token provides lucrative staking opportunities in the Cosmostation, and is up 25% in the last 30 days currently trading at $4.09.

  • Regulatory Scrutiny: Governments worldwide are tightening their grip on crypto, with regulations and taxes coming into focus. Stay informed about these developments, as they can impact market sentiment.

Looking Ahead:

The Bitcoin halving is less than 90 days away, and the anticipation is palpable. While past halvings have led to significant price increases, remember that history doesn't guarantee future performance. Be mindful of risk management, conduct your own research, and don't get swept away by the hype.

Join the Discussion:

What are your thoughts on the current market landscape? What are your predictions for the post-halving period? Share your insights and questions in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.

Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this exciting chapter in the crypto world!

Bitcoin Halving Explained

Bitcoin, the world's first and most popular cryptocurrency, is based on a decentralized network that operates on a blockchain, which is a distributed digital ledger that records all transactions. One of the most interesting aspects of Bitcoin is its halving event, which occurs roughly every four years and has significant implications for the supply and demand of the cryptocurrency.

What is the Bitcoin halvening?

The Bitcoin halvening, or halving, is an event that occurs approximately every four years, or after 210,000 blocks are mined, in which the rewards for mining new blocks on the Bitcoin network are reduced by half. This means that the amount of new Bitcoins that are created every 10 minutes is cut in half, leading to a decrease in the rate at which new Bitcoins are added to the circulating supply.

The first halving event occurred in 2012, when the reward for mining a block on the Bitcoin network was reduced from 50 Bitcoins to 25 Bitcoins. The second halving occurred in 2016, reducing the reward to 12.5 Bitcoins per block. The third halving occurred in May 2020, reducing the reward to 6.25 Bitcoins per block.

Why is the halvening important?

The halvening is important because it has significant implications for the supply and demand of Bitcoin. With the reduction in the rate at which new Bitcoins are added to the circulating supply, the supply of Bitcoin becomes more scarce, which can lead to an increase in demand and price. This is because if demand for Bitcoin remains constant, but the supply decreases, the price of Bitcoin should theoretically increase due to its limited availability.

In addition, the halvening can also impact the profitability of mining Bitcoin. As the rewards for mining new blocks are reduced, miners may need to invest more in their mining hardware and operations to maintain profitability. This can lead to a decrease in the number of miners on the network, which can impact the security and decentralization of the Bitcoin network.

What happened during the previous halvenings?

During the first halvening in 2012, Bitcoin was trading at around $12.50 per coin before the event. Following the halvening, the price of Bitcoin surged to over $100 per coin within a few months. During the second halvening in 2016, Bitcoin was trading at around $650 per coin before the event. Following the halvening, the price of Bitcoin surged to over $2,500 per coin within a year.

Following the third halvening in May 2020, Bitcoin experienced a more muted price increase. The price of Bitcoin was trading at around $8,500 per coin before the event, and it reached a peak of around $64,000 per coin in April 2021, before experiencing a significant correction.

What can we expect from the next halvening?

The next halvening is expected to occur in 2024, and it will reduce the reward for mining new blocks to 3.125 Bitcoins per block. While it is difficult to predict exactly how the market will react to the next halvening, historical trends suggest that we can expect an increase in demand and price following the event.

In addition, the next halvening may also have implications for the adoption and use of Bitcoin as a currency or store of value. With the reduction in the rate at which new Bitcoins are added to the circulating supply, Bitcoin becomes more scarce, which can lead to an increase in its perceived value and legitimacy.

In conclusion, the Bitcoin halvening is a significant event that occurs approximately every four years and has important implications for the supply and demand of Bitcoin. While it is difficult to predict exactly how the market will react to the next halvening, historical trends suggest that we can expect an increase in the price of Bitcoin.

5 Biggest Advantages of Cryptocurrency vs Fiat Money

Cryptocurrency has been making waves in the financial world for a few years now, and for good reason. The advantages of cryptocurrency over fiat money are numerous and significant, and we want to dive into the topic for those looking to gain knowledge of the space here at The Crypto Bull. In this blog post, we’ll explore five key advantages of cryptocurrency and how it is changing the way we think about money.

  1. Decentralization

One of the primary advantages of cryptocurrency is its decentralization. Unlike fiat currency, which is controlled by governments and central banks, cryptocurrency operates on a decentralized network. This means that there is no central authority controlling the currency or its value. Instead, transactions are verified by a network of users, and the value of the currency is determined by market demand.

This decentralization makes cryptocurrency more resistant to government intervention and manipulation. In countries with unstable currencies, cryptocurrency can be a more reliable store of value than fiat currency. Additionally, because cryptocurrency is not tied to any one country or government, it can be used for cross-border transactions without the need for currency conversion.

2. Security

Another major advantage of cryptocurrency is its security. Cryptocurrency transactions are secured through complex mathematical algorithms that make it virtually impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. This is in contrast to fiat currency, which can be easily counterfeited or stolen.

In addition to being more secure, cryptocurrency also offers greater privacy. Because transactions are conducted anonymously, users can make purchases without revealing their identity or personal information. This can be particularly useful for individuals who are concerned about their financial privacy.

3. Lower Transaction Fees

One of the most attractive features of cryptocurrency is its lower transaction fees. Unlike traditional banking systems, which often charge high fees for transactions, cryptocurrency transactions typically have very low fees. This is because there is no need for intermediaries, such as banks or payment processors, to verify transactions.

This lower cost makes cryptocurrency an attractive option for small businesses and individuals who may not have the resources to pay high transaction fees. Additionally, because cryptocurrency transactions are typically processed quickly, businesses can receive payments faster and more efficiently than with traditional banking systems.

4. Accessibility

Cryptocurrency is also more accessible than fiat currency. While traditional banking systems can be difficult to navigate for individuals who don’t have access to traditional financial institutions, cryptocurrency can be easily accessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

This accessibility can be particularly useful for individuals living in countries with unstable currencies or limited access to traditional banking services. Cryptocurrency can provide a way for these individuals to store value and conduct transactions without relying on traditional financial systems.

5. Transparency

Finally, cryptocurrency offers greater transparency than traditional financial systems. Because transactions are recorded on a public ledger, anyone can view the details of a transaction, including the amount, the sender, and the recipient.

This transparency can help to reduce fraud and corruption by making it more difficult for individuals to engage in illegal activities such as money laundering. Additionally, it can help to build trust between individuals and businesses by providing greater transparency into financial transactions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cryptocurrency offers numerous advantages over fiat currency. Its decentralization, security, lower transaction fees, accessibility, and transparency make it an attractive option for individuals and businesses around the world. While there are still challenges to be overcome, such as regulatory hurdles and market volatility, the potential benefits of cryptocurrency are too great to ignore. This has been evident in the steady increase of both value and number of investors who are buying into the market; particularly with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how cryptocurrency continues to shape the future of finance.

The Beginners Guide to Buying Cryptocurrencies

So, you are tired of sitting on the sidelines during the Cryptocurrency frenzy while your friends are constantly bragging about how much money they are making in Bitcoin, Ethereum and hundreds of other Cryptocurrencies…. but you just don’t know where to start?

You have come to the right place, this is a beginners guide on how to purchase Cryptocurrencies!

Before you proceed, make sure you don’t put any more money into this than you are willing to lose. Research the technology, understand the importance of it and it’s potential to change the world... but also understand the fact that this is still a highly speculative investment that is often considered a bubble.

STEP 1: USD → Cryptocurrency

The process starts by transferring USD into Bitcoin(BTC), Ethereum(ETH) and Litecoin(LTC). The fastest way to do this is via Coinbase. You can download the Coinbase App or create an account on their website. BEWARE, there is a 5% fee on all transfers you make from USD to Coinbase. The solution to avoiding this fee is Gemini, but it will take you a couple of days to get set up, as Gemini takes a bit longer to verify your ID. Gemini is an FDIC insured platform and to get started,  you can go online and set up an account, allowing you to buy in with no fees. You need to input identification verification to set up your account which will limit to $500 a day. If you further the ID verification and add your license in settings, you can get much higher limits. These are solid coins to hold for novice investors. If you are looking to trade Altcoins, you will need to transfer to an exchange, like Bittrex for example. This requires more technical know how and you should proceed with caution...

STEP 2: Cryptocurrency → Cryptocurrency Exchange

First, you need to create a Bittrex account, when you are making this account be sure to remember your password, if they give you any other info that they say to keep, document it (don't want to forget password or account details).  Also, after making an account It is recommended that you go to your settings and enabling 2-factor Authentication, for added security. You can do this in account settings on Bittrex and just have to download Google Authenticator on your phone to do so. Make sure to save your backup key when you set this up as well, or else losing your phone will make a headache for you.

After this, you need to send your cryptocurrencies from your wallet to Bittrex, let’s say you are using Coinbase. You can do this by sending Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin from your Coinbase wallet to your Bittrex wallet. Ensure that you send the same coin to the same wallet address on Bittrex (Ex: you must sent ETH to an ETH wallet, BTC to a BTC wallet, and LTC to an LTC wallet. If you send BTC to your ETH wallet, it will be lost, etc...)  Same coin → same wallet. Got it?

Here are instructions on how to deposit coins into Bittrex (from Bittrex website):

"In order to deposit coins to Bittrex please follow these steps.

  1. Login and Click Wallets in the upper right hand of the site.

  2. Search for the wallet you are going to deposit to

  3. Click the + next to the wallet

  4. Click "new Address" to generate your address

  5. Please make sure to read the coins deposit instructions if they are available.  Some coins require a minimum amount to be sent before they are credited.  Some coins will require a message/payment/tag/memo.  This means you must send the coins to the address we provide and attach this message/payment/tag/memo to the deposit so we can route the coins to your account.  If you do not attach this, you will risk losing these funds

  6. You can now send your coins to this address.  Please make sure that you only send the same type of coins to this address.  This means if you generated a BTC address you deposit BTC to it and not some other coin.  if you deposit a different coin then what the address was generated for you risk losing these coins permanently"

Transfers can take a while sometimes, so don't fret because it wont go into the wallet immediately. It is recommended that you use Ethereum, as it is fast and all transactions on the Ethereum Blockchain can easily be viewed on etherscan.io. It is also recommended that you transfer a small amount before the whole amount, to ensure you are doing so correctly. Once your Ethereum arrives in your Bittrex wallet, you can begin to trade.

STEP 3: Proceed with Caution

Be warned, although Altcoins offer higher returns and the chance to ‘hit a moon’ they also present an opportunity to lose a lot of money, risk is a two way street. You should research projects heavily and invest in ones you believe in that have teams you believe in, judge results and progress on roadmap, read reddit...a lot (good advice lay deep in the comments section). Learn to HODL (Google search hodl) through the valleys and remember you never lose money taking profits. NEVER put more money into an account than you are willing to lose, and most of all - GOOD LUCK (:

 

Crypto Bull cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred in investments. The content of this site is not meant to be financial advice and is only opinion. Any transactions made in the space should be carefully approached and considered.