Introduction
In the past few years, there have been numerous claims about the demise of bitcoin. However, in 2023, the number of obituaries significantly decreased. According to the Bitcoin Obituaries list on 99bitcoins.com, only eight declarations were made about bitcoin's end. This is a considerable decrease compared to previous years. Let's explore the details of these proclamations and what they mean for the future of bitcoin.
A Decrease in Obituaries
Unlike previous years, 2023 witnessed a decline in the number of bitcoin obituaries. Apart from 2010, 2011, and 2012, which had relatively low counts as well, this year recorded only eight death announcements. In 2010, there was one, while in 2011, there were six. Another single obituary was noted in 2012. Notably, the first declaration in 2023 came from ex-U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official John Reed Stark and CNBC TV personality Jim Cramer.
Changing Perspectives
Interestingly, some individuals who previously proclaimed bitcoin's demise have changed their stance. For example, CNBC TV personality Jim Cramer, who initially suggested divesting from cryptocurrency holdings, now believes that bitcoin is here to stay. This shift in perspective reflects the growing acceptance and recognition of bitcoin as a legitimate asset. However, there are still skeptics who believe that bitcoin's downfall is inevitable.
The Views of Critics
Renowned finance journalist Harvey Jones, in an article published in March, criticized bitcoin and the entire crypto market, labeling them as fraudulent. Jones strongly expressed his opinion, stating that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are nothing more than a joke, a fraud, and a Ponzi scheme. However, it is important to note that such criticisms are not uncommon in the volatile and ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency.
Arthur Hayes' Dissenting Perspective
One of the most notable proclamations of bitcoin's demise in 2023 came from Arthur Hayes, the former leader of Bitmex and a known bitcoin advocate. In a recent article, Hayes expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of a spot bitcoin ETF. He speculated that if a select few entities control all bitcoin, it could lead to stagnation in transfer movement and significant problems for miners. Hayes suggested that if bitcoin becomes just another state-controlled financial asset, it may lose its utility and pave the way for the rise of a new cryptocurrency.
The Bitcoin Obituaries List
Since 2010, the Bitcoin Obituaries list has documented a total of 475 death announcements for bitcoin. While 2023 had a relatively lower count, the peak was in 2017 with 124 obituaries. The number decreased to 93 in 2018 and further to 41 in 2019. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, there were only 14 death declarations. This data highlights the enduring narrative of bitcoin's demise, which is often juxtaposed with its resilience and increasing mainstream acceptance.
Conclusion
The decrease in bitcoin obituaries in 2023 indicates a shift in the perception of this cryptocurrency. While there are still critics who believe in its eventual downfall, the growing acceptance and recognition of bitcoin as a legitimate asset cannot be ignored. As the digital currency landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how bitcoin's narrative unfolds in the coming years. What are your thoughts on the death calls recorded in 2023? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the government seize your gold?
Your gold is yours and the government cannot take it. It is yours because you worked hard for it. It belongs entirely to you. This rule could be broken by exceptions. You could lose your gold if convicted of fraud against a federal government agency. Your precious metals can also be lost if you owe tax to the IRS. You can keep your gold even if your taxes are not paid.
How much of your IRA should include precious metals?
It is important to remember that precious metals can be a good investment for anyone. You don't have to be rich to invest in them. There are many ways to make money on silver and gold investments without spending too much.
You might think about buying physical coins such a bullion bar or round. You could also buy shares in companies that produce precious metals. You might also want to use an IRA rollover program offered through your retirement plan provider.
You'll still get the benefit of precious metals no matter which country you live in. They offer the potential for long-term, sustainable growth even though they aren’t stocks.
Their prices rise with time, which is a different to traditional investments. This means that if you decide on selling your investment later, you'll likely get more profit than you would with traditional investing.
Can I buy Gold with my Self-Directed IRA?
While you can purchase gold from your self-directed IRA (or any other brokerage firm), you must first open a brokerage account such as TD Ameritrade. You can also transfer funds from another retirement account if you already have one.
The IRS allows individuals up to $5.500 annually ($6,500 if you are married and filing jointly). This can be contributed to a traditional IRA. Individuals are allowed to contribute $1,000 each ($2,000 if married or filing jointly) to a Roth IRA.
If you do decide you want to invest your money in gold, you should look into purchasing physical bullion instead of futures contracts. Futures contracts, which are financial instruments based upon the price of gold, are financial instruments. These contracts allow you to speculate on future gold prices without actually owning it. You can only hold physical bullion, which is real silver and gold bars.
Can I have physical gold in my IRA
Not just paper money or coins, gold is money. People have used gold as a currency for thousands of centuries to preserve their wealth and keep it safe from inflation. Today, investors use gold as part of a diversified portfolio because gold tends to do better during financial turmoil.
Many Americans now invest in precious metals. Even though owning gold is not a guarantee of making money, there are many reasons why you might want to add gold to your retirement savings portfolio.
Another reason is the fact that gold historically has performed better than other assets in times of financial panic. Between August 2011 to early 2013, gold prices rose close to 100 percent while the S&P 500 fell 21 per cent. During these turbulent market times, gold was among few assets that outperformed the stocks.
Another advantage of investing in gold is that it's one of the few assets with virtually zero counterparty risk. Even if your stock portfolio is down, your shares are still yours. But if you own gold, its value will increase even if the company you invested in defaults on its debt.
Finally, gold provides liquidity. This means that you can sell gold anytime, regardless of whether or not another buyer is available. Gold is liquid and therefore it makes sense to purchase small amounts. This allows one to take advantage short-term fluctuations within the gold price.
How much of your portfolio should you hold in precious metals
This question can only be answered if we first know what precious metals are. Precious metals have elements with an extremely high worth relative to other commodity. This makes them highly valuable for both investment and trading. The most traded precious metal is gold.
However, many other types of precious metals exist, including silver and platinum. The price of gold tends to fluctuate but generally stays at a reasonably stable level during periods of economic turmoil. It also remains relatively unaffected by inflation and deflation.
The general trend is for precious metals to increase in price with the overall market. That said, they do not always move in lockstep with each other. The price of gold tends to rise when the economy is not doing well, but the prices of the other precious metals tends downwards. This is because investors expect lower interest rates, making bonds less attractive investments.
When the economy is healthy, however, the opposite effect occurs. Investors favor safe assets like Treasury Bonds, and less precious metals. They become less expensive and have a lower value because they are limited.
You must therefore diversify your investments in precious metals to reap the maximum profits. Furthermore, because the price of precious Metals fluctuates, it is best not to focus on just one type of precious Metals.
What are the benefits of having a gold IRA?
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is the best way to put money towards retirement. You can withdraw it at any time, but it is tax-deferred. You control how much you take each year. And there are many different types of IRAs. Some are better suited for people who want to save for college expenses. Some are for investors who seek higher returns. Roth IRAs permit individuals to contribute after the age 59 1/2. Any earnings earned at retirement are subject to tax. These earnings don't get taxed if they withdraw funds. This type account may make sense if it is your intention to retire early.
Because it allows you money to be invested in multiple asset classes, a ‘gold IRA' is similar to any other IRAs. Unlike a regular IRA where you pay taxes on gains, a gold IRA doesn't require you to worry about taxation while you wait to get them. People who prefer to save their money and invest it instead of spending it are well-suited for gold IRAs.
You can also enjoy automatic withdrawals, which is another benefit of owning your gold through an IRA. That means you won't have to think about making deposits every month. To make sure you don't miss any payments, you can also set up direct deductions.
Finally, gold remains one of the best investment options today. It is not tied to any country so its value tends stay steady. Even in times of economic turmoil, gold prices tend not to fluctuate. Therefore, gold is often considered a good investment to protect your savings against inflation.
Statistics
- Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
- Contribution limits$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$6,000 (49 and under) $7,000 (50 and up)$58,000 or 25% of your annual compensation (whichever is smaller) (lendedu.com)
- Gold is considered a collectible, and profits from a sale are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. (aarp.org)
- Indeed, several financial advisers interviewed for this article suggest you invest 5 to 15 percent of your portfolio in gold, just in case. (aarp.org)
- If you accidentally make an improper transaction, the IRS will disallow it and count it as a withdrawal, so you would owe income tax on the item's value and, if you are younger than 59 ½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty. (forbes.com)
