Can crypto become the next big thing in Forex?

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience navigating the ever-evolving financial landscape, I find myself both enthralled and cautiously optimistic about the burgeoning relationship between Forex and cryptocurrencies. The meteoric rise of Bitcoin and other digital assets is undeniably reshaping the global financial ecosystem, and it’s fascinating to observe this transformation unfold in real-time.


Let’s journey back to the late 1990s. Wall Street is still depending on traditional landlines, investors are scouring newspaper business sections for stock quotes, while Forex is just starting to explore the internet. Fast-forward to the present day, and all significant financial markets have embraced the latest innovation – cryptocurrencies.

Demonstrating the rapid growth of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, institutional investments have been steadily increasing annually. This year’s green light for spot Bitcoin ETFs has paved the way for traditional investors to delve into the crypto world. Over the past month, Bitcoin ETFs have attracted approximately $2.4 billion in new investments.

Additionally, a significant number of individual investors have joined the crypto bandwagon. By the year 2023’s end, approximately 580 million individuals were found to own cryptocurrencies. Contrary to what some may believe as mere hype-chasing, the data tells a different story. According to Chainanalysis, many of those who invested in cryptocurrencies during the 2021 surge have remained active investors.

Consider a company like CryptoProcessing, which excels in crypto sector solutions. Established over a decade ago and based in Estonia, this experienced player has made a name for itself as the preferred choice for businesses aiming to accept cryptocurrency payments. The versatile payment gateway they offer supports more than twenty well-known cryptocurrencies and forty different fiat currencies.

Impact of Bitcoin expansion on Forex

For Forex, the increase in both retail and institutional investments, along with approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), suggests that the cryptocurrency market is becoming more established and mature.

Currently, Forex has the opportunity to profit from the increasing number of experienced, long-term investors. Notably, these newcomers align well with Forex’s typical clientele: they are usually young, tech-literate, and willing to make measured risks.

Why Forex onboards crypto ?

The integration of cryptocurrencies by Forex is rapidly advancing. By the end of 2022, major players in the Forex market such as Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, and Bank of America had embraced cryptocurrencies. Brokers are also hopping on the bandwagon, enabling their clients to deposit funds with popular cryptos like Bitcoin and Ether. It’s not just about transactions though; some brokers now offer crypto Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and trading pairs as well.

Crypto serviceOffered by
Crypto CFDsFXTM, FOREX.com, Capital.com, AvaTrade, Interactive Brokers, eToro, Oanda
Cryptocurrency tradingAvaTrade, Interactive Brokers, eToro
Cryptocurrency payment gatewaysSimpleFX, Gerchik & Co, XBTFX, Fxview, AdroFx, Sage FX, and 80+ other platforms*
Blockchain settlementsHSBC, Wells Fargo, Oanda

*spotted by Earnforex

Max Krupyshev, the CEO of CryptoProcessing, shares his thoughts on the increasing attraction of cryptocurrencies towards Foreign Exchange (Forex) enterprises.

“Krupyshev points out that while Cryptocurrencies’ volatility may not be suitable for long-term savings, it presents attractive trading possibilities, allowing traders to earn substantial profits from price fluctuations. Interestingly, younger generations are increasingly interested in crypto trading. Forex businesses could capture these new customers by permitting them to utilize their existing cryptocurrency holdings, rather than letting them migrate to specialized crypto platforms.”

But onboarding crypto isn’t just about attracting new customers, it’s also about keeping the ones brokers already have. A recent study revealed an interesting trend: over half of retail investors would think about ditching their broker if they didn’t allow trading digital assets.

Crypto Security against Inflation 

Cryptocurrencies can serve as a safeguard against inflation, making them an intriguing addition to foreign exchange investments. Despite their volatility, cryptocurrency prices often fluctuate separately from traditional financial markets. Research suggests that Forex portfolios containing cryptocurrencies performed more resiliently during the economic instability caused by COVID-19 compared to those without crypto holdings.

Lower Fees of Crypto

It’s worth noting that digital currencies like Crypto also come with operational perks. Unlike traditional transfers, crypto transactions typically involve lower charges which usually hover around 1%. Plus, speed is another major plus point. While most conventional currency transactions require a wait of about 2 business days (except in a few instances), popular cryptocurrencies can settle within mere minutes or even seconds.

Challenges Remain

Volatility

In their relatively new status as an investment class, cryptocurrencies carry specific apprehensions, with volatility being the most significant. This instability can cause rapid fluctuations in value over a short span, which might make Forex trading nerve-wracking. Of course, there’s a prospect of earning profits, but it’s also possible to experience losses.

Regulation

As a data analyst, I’ve observed that while many countries allow cryptocurrencies, a significant number lack comprehensive regulations. Out of approximately 100 nations where cryptocurrencies are permitted, just 62 have implemented specific regulatory frameworks. This lack of regulation can pose challenges in ensuring transparency and security within the crypto market.

Conclusion

With cryptocurrency’s ongoing growth, there remains optimism about the future of Forex trading. The European Union’s MiCA regulations and the U.S.’s approval of Bitcoin ETFs indicate a potential shift towards global, well-structured cryptocurrency governance.

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2024-08-21 19:34