Exclusive: CEO of deVere Group on why Bitcoin bashers have got it all wrong
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have experienced a major sell-off this week following China’s crackdown on the sector.
Around $400bn in value has been wiped from the total digital currency market since Friday, when a major Bitcoin mining hub ordered miners to shut down operations.
It followed reports saying that China’s central bank had a meeting with banks and gave instructions to freeze all payment channels supporting cryptocurrency trading.
However, the “crypto haters” are wrong to dismiss the digital assets, according to the founder and CEO of one of the world’s largest financial advisory and fintech firms.
The bullish message from Nigel Green, for nearly two decades the chief executive of deVere Group, comes during a turbulent week for cryptocurrencies.
“For long-time, serious crypto investors this week has not been a major cause of concern and more a case of ‘here we go again.’,” Green told City PM
Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, experienced a wild trading session yesterday where it briefly dropped below $30,000 – seen as a key support level – before rallying back into positive territory.
“For many investors, experienced and less experienced, the new lower prices triggered by the panic-selling, will be used as a key buying opportunity,” Green said.
“Even those in China – which is a major market for Bitcoin and the wider crypto sector – will find ways to navigate their way around the system and top-up their portfolios at the lower entry points,” he noted.
“We can expect further pull-back in the price of Bitcoin in the near-term, which too will be used proactively by investors,” Green continued.
“It’s our experience that investors are not in crypto to make a quick buck. They’re in it as a longer-term, future-first investment to create and build wealth.”
Key drivers for investors
According to Green, there are five key factors driving investors towards cryptocurrencies. Firstly, inflation.
“There are legitimate and growing concerns about inflation as economies re-open and pent-up demand is unleashed by households, businesses and entire industries but is met with supply shortages,” he explained.
“Bitcoin is widely regarded as a shield against inflation mainly because of its limited supply, which is not influenced by its price.”
Second, institutional support, as Green pointed out there is growing investment from major institutional investors, bringing with them capital, expertise and reputational pull.
Thirdly, regulation, as global financial watchdogs are increasingly looking into establishing a regulatory framework.
“Why? Because they’re taking crypto more and more seriously as a financial asset and a medium of exchange,” Green said.
“Regulation, which I believe is inevitable, would give more protection and, therefore more confidence, to both retail and institutional investors.”
Fourth, demographics, with millennials – who are beneficiaries of the largest-ever generational transfer of wealth, predicted to be more than $60 trillion from baby boomers to millennials over the next three decades – have grown up on technology.
“They are digital natives. Cryptocurrencies are, by their very nature, tech-driven,” Green stressed.
“In addition, they are decentralised, so not controlled by any financial institution – which are largely viewed as outdated and untrusted by millennials.”
Finally, the future of money, with savvy investors appreciating the inherent value of digital, borderless, global currencies for trade and commerce purposes in increasingly digitalised economies in which businesses operate in more than one jurisdiction, Green said.
“As such, cryptocurrencies are regarded as the future of money,” he concluded.