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Long-Term vs. Short-Term Investing in Crypto

Cryptocurrency is now an important component of the world economy and continues to draw the interest of both experienced traders and novices. Due to the possibility of earning a large amount of money, crypto can be considered as a promising way of earning. However, the volatility and unpredictability of the market raise an essential question: Should you be investing your money into cryptocurrency for the short-term or the long-term? Every method has its advantages and disadvantages and to be able to make the right decision in investing one has to look at both sides. This article will look at the positives and negatives of both short-term and long-term investing in crypto so that you can decide which is right for you.

Long-Term Investing in Crypto

First, long-term investment in cryptocurrency is characterized by the possibility of receiving high earnings. The long-term holders of such assets as Bitcoin have always observed a high increase in value over several years. For example, the people who bought Bitcoin at the very beginning of its availability on the market and kept their coins even during the periods of its extreme fluctuations were able to reap immense profits. In the same way, relatively new cryptos, including the BTC Bull Token, present a high possibility of generating massive rewards in the future as they are gradually accepted in the market. This enables the investor to take advantage of the generally positive trend of the market despite the temporary changes in the prices of the assets held.

Pros of Long-Term Investing

  • Potential for Significant Returns: Traditionally, long-term investment or the ‘HODL’ strategy has been very much profitable for most investors. For instance, some cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have performed very well in the market and have given investors huge profits. Thus, if an investor keeps cryptocurrencies for several years, this will be a profitable investment, even with short-term fluctuations in the market.
     
  • Reduced Stress and Time Commitment: Crypto investment for the long term does not need frequent monitoring and manipulation like the short-term trade. Retail investors are protected from the anxiety of having to keep an eye on the market and make decisions within a short time. This strategy may suit those investors who do not want to have much involvement in the management of their investment and let the investment build up over time.
     
  • Tax Benefits: It is a fact that most jurisdictions charge lower rates of taxes on long-term capital gains than the short-term gains. Investors who wait to sell their assets for a longer period are likely to pay fewer taxes meaning they get to keep more of their gains.

Cons of Long-Term Investing

  • High Volatility: Some of the cryptocurrencies have for a long time shown an upward trend but the market is very unstable. High volatility is often observed in the short term and it may be tough to keep positions in the assets during such changes. One must expect to lose a lot of money for a while before he can make any gain.
     
  • Uncertainty of the Future: The Cryptocurrency market is volatile and the future of certain coins/tokens is unknown at the moment. The future developments of legal acts, the improvements in technology, or the appearance of new competitors may threaten the long-term profitability of existing investments. This is due to which investing in crypto in the long term is always a high risk.

Short-Term Investing in Crypto

The concept of speculation is the core of short-term trading in cryptocurrency as prices fluctuate in a short time. The long-term investment plan requires that the assets are held for several years, on the other hand, the short-term investors buy and sell securities to take advantage of the short-term opportunities. This strategy is very profitable and a trader can earn a lot of money within a short time but the risks are high and a trader has to be very keen on the changes taking place in the market.

Pros of Short-Term Investing

  • Quick Profits: This is because the crypto market is considerably volatile and this is advantageous to the short-term investor. Every person who has an idea of trading activities knows that a trader can make a quick profit by buying at a lower price and then selling at a higher price. This strategy is most appropriate for those who intend to gain a profit from the tendencies in the market and the price changes.
     
  • Flexibility and Liquidity: Short-term investment is quite flexible, and the investor has more options as well as more liquidity. This enables the investors to alter their portfolios in the market according to the prevailing trends to make profits or minimize losses. This strategy is most appropriate for the client who wishes to be involved in the day-to-day management of the investment process.
     
  • Diversification: Short-term investors can attempt to minimize the risk in their investments through diversification than the long-term investors. This diversification may also help in minimizing the effects of a certain investment because the money is divided into various investments hence providing better measures of risk management.

Cons of Short-Term Investing

  • High Risk: Though short-term trading is extremely lucrative to earn money within a short time, it is extremely risky. In the same way that volatility can open up profitable trades, it can also cause a trader to lose a lot of money if the market moves the other way. It entails a high risk-taking capacity and the element of timing in the market to be on the right side of the book.
     
  • Time-Consuming: Short-term investment requires one to be in the market and have an eye on the market all the time. Profitable traders also have to spend most of their time on research, chart analysis and trading activities. This can be time-consuming and quite demanding, especially for those who have other responsibilities.

I'm Dom Farnell, a retail investor sharing my market experiences through blogs and articles. Though not a professional advisor, I aim to offer practical insights based on real-world experience, exploring strategies, challenges, and opportunities in investing.

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