Is Cryptocurrency Safe? How To Safely Invest In Crypto?

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The following statements do not constitute investment advice or any other advice related to financial services, financial instruments, financial products or digital assets. Their purpose is to provide general information. The following statements do not constitute an offer to enter into an agreement to buy or sell financial instruments and financial products, or a solicitation to submit such an offer to buy or sell any specific digital asset. -currencies are subject to strong fluctuations in value. A reduction in value or total loss is possible at any time. Loss of access to data and passwords can also lead to total loss.
What Is Cryptocurrency and Should I Invest in It? - Ramsey
Is cryptocurrency safe? Given the recent increase in cryptocurrency trading and the government's efforts to follow consistent regulation, this is a valid question. Cryptocurrency security, or lack thereof, is likely to remain a more pressing issue for years to come, as a recent report from Allied Market Research predicts that the global cryptocurrency market will more than triple by 2030.

The answer to actual crypto security is complicated, at least for now. Yes, cryptocurrency has some security risks that you should be aware of before making your first trade. First, cryptocurrencies remain an extremely volatile asset class, subject to large price swings. Second, this relatively new and relatively unregulated financial ecosystem brings its share of scammers trying to take advantage of unsuspecting newcomers.

But cryptocurrencies have certain security advantages that also make them attractive. In this article, we will go over the main security points you need to know before diving into crypto.

Is cryptocurrency safe—and how can you safely invest?

When someone asks if buying and selling cryptocurrency is safe, they can ask one of two questions:

  • Is crypto a risky investment that could drop in value quickly?
  • Do cryptocurrencies pose any security risks that could cause me to lose money to a scam or other type of scam?

As these are fundamentally different issues, we will deal with each separately.

Is cryptocurrency a safe investment?

Compared to other asset classes like stocks and government bonds, investing in cryptocurrencies can be considered very risky.

While cryptocurrencies are generally considered legal across Europe, many aspects of cryptocurrency remain unregulated or may be subject to changing regulations. Fluctuating regulations are part of what can make crypto markets more vulnerable to instability, as we saw in the summer of 2021 when China's crackdown on crypto-related activity coincided with a drop in bitcoin price. With so many governments around the world considering how to respond to the rise of cryptocurrencies, many factors can contribute to increased cryptocurrency volatility.

Another part of the cryptocurrency's overall volatility stems from the fact that it's relatively new and investors may not yet know exactly what to make of it. Since cryptocurrencies do not have the same historical test points as other asset classes, such as Investments such as stocks may be more susceptible to large price swings that accompany changes in market sentiment investors. Some cryptocurrencies are more prone to this than others, but even Bitcoin, the oldest and largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is known for its alarming price swings.

When investing in cryptocurrencies, you can mitigate risk by not buying more than you can afford to lose. There is always a non-zero probability that a crypto asset will lose value on any given day. So be careful and consider a diversified investment portfolio, with crypto playing a smaller and more speculative role.

Are there security risks associated with cryptocurrency?

Yes, there are some security risks you should be aware of. We'll break them down here.

Paying with crypto comes with limited legal protection. Traditional credit and debit card payments offer certain security features that cryptocurrencies do not. For example, in some cases, you may not be responsible for fraudulent purchases made on your behalf. This is not the case with cryptocurrencies in general. If you lose your money to a scammer, you may have no real chance of getting it back.

Cryptocurrency fraud is rampant. You may have already received an email threatening to post compromising photos of yourself if you don't pay a certain amount in bitcoin. Or maybe you received a suspicious message congratulating you for winning a rare NFT or a large amount of cryptocurrency. These are just a few examples of scams to watch out for. In general, if someone asks you to pay with cryptocurrency and refuses other forms of payment, they may be trying to steal your money. And if someone else tricks you into paying with crypto, they're probably trying to scam you.

You cannot "recover" a cryptocurrency transaction. Many cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology to create a secure, public, and unmodifiable ledger of transactions. This technology offers security benefits, but it also means that crypto transactions generally cannot be changed or reversed afterwards. When you pay someone with crypto, there's usually no customer service representative to call to arrange a refund if something goes wrong.

What’s the most secure way to buy cryptocurrency?

With the rise of cryptocurrencies, the number of online exchanges and marketplaces allowing users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies has also increased. Typically, the most secure online platforms will require you to prove your identity as they adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies.

Many popular crypto exchanges such as Coinbase require customers to verify information about themselves before being granted access to certain trading features. In general, if you're new to the world of cryptocurrency, it's a good idea to choose an exchange or marketplace that takes security seriously and implements these kinds of steps to verify your identity.

What’s the most secure way to store cryptocurrency?

In general, the safest way to store cryptocurrency is to keep it offline and away from those who might use an internet connection to get their hands on it. You can keep your crypto offline if you use a hardware wallet, also known as a "cold wallet" or "cold storage". Digital wallets (aka "hot wallets"), which may be online or on your desktop, may be more vulnerable to theft by hackers.

There are several types of crypto wallets to choose from, including hardware wallets offered by household names like Ledger and Trezor. The downside to hardware wallets is that they can be quite expensive and you need a recovery seed to regain access to your crypto if you lose or misplace your wallet. Still, they're probably the safest option right now.

What is the most secure cryptocurrency?

Simply put, there is no "safer" cryptocurrency. This does not mean that some cryptocurrencies are probably not more secure than others. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are said to have certain inherent security features through their use of decentralized blockchain technology, and the wider adoption of these cryptocurrencies (compared to other so-called “ altcoins”) can make them less vulnerable to massive price changes.

It should be noted here that security is part of the appeal of decentralized blockchain technology. Bitcoin itself was created to give buyers and sellers more security in their transactions and to avoid the need for a trusted third party. To learn more about blockchain and security, read our guide to blockchain technology.

5 cryptocurrency risks to consider before you invest

Before buying or selling any cryptocurrency, it helps to understand some of the major risks of cryptocurrency. Here are 5 points to consider:

1. Blockchain technology is still relatively new

The cryptographic nature of the blockchain, along with the decentralized peer-to-peer network that validates transactions, provides some inherent security features. For example, the use of encryption with hashes and timestamps makes it virtually impossible to change data in a block after it is added to the blockchain.

But decentralized blockchain technology is still relatively new, and we are still figuring out how best to use and regulate it. Meanwhile, some criminals have been able to take advantage of the anonymity offered by crypto to scammers who may have little recourse to claim their wealth.

2. Cryptocurrency is an extremely volatile investment

Cryptocurrencies tend to be volatile assets, so don't be surprised if their value rises or falls very significantly. In fact, they've been known to increase and decrease by double-digit percentages over time. Past performance is not a good indicator of future performance when it comes to risky investments, and that certainly includes crypto. Despite all this, you should not invest more than you can afford to lose.

3. Cryptocurrency fraud is a growing problem

Unfortunately, the cryptocurrency world is full of scams. Criminals can use fake apps, crypto wallets, and emails to trick you into handing over your private keys and giving them access to your crypto assets. NFT scams are also increasingly common, with some buyers being duped by fake accounts with fake names or promised royalties that never materialize.

Cryptocurrencies themselves can also be quite fraudulent in nature. This was the case with the Squid Game Token, which had a built-in mechanism that prevented many holders from reselling their tokens.

4. Cryptocurrencies are still largely unregulated

Despite some moves around the world to regulate cryptocurrencies, they remain less regulated than many other asset classes. If a platform that trades or holds your crypto assets goes bankrupt, you risk losing all your capital. Likewise, if an exchange containing your crypto is hacked by criminals, your assets could be at risk.

Additionally, taxation of cryptocurrencies is still in its infancy and future changes may impact your investments.

5. Diversity is key

There are thousands of cryptocurrencies out there, and many of them are still in the early stages of development. It is still difficult to distinguish the ultimate winners from the losers.

As with venture capital in general, it's never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. If you decide to invest in cryptocurrencies, it may be best to spread your investment across a variety of different cryptocurrencies.

3 tips to keep your cryptocurrency safe

A cautious approach can help you avoid some of the dangers most commonly associated with cryptocurrencies. Here are our top tips for avoiding scams.

1. Research an exchange before buying cryptos.

In the past, some cryptocurrency exchanges have suffered malicious attacks from hackers. Consider choosing an exchange with strong security features, low fees, and ease of use. Before making an exchange, research the exchange and try to find out what users have to say about it.

2. Research cryptocurrencies before investing in them.

Read the cryptography whitepaper. This document is standard for every new coin and aims to help you understand the use cases and scalability of crypto, as well as the creator's plans for the future. You can also join an online cryptocurrency forum for ideas and advice to supplement your own research. Internet research can also provide useful information about a crypto's history and reputation.

3. Store most of your crypto in a secure crypto wallet.

Keeping most of your crypto in a secure wallet should give you some protection against theft. Using a "cold" hardware wallet can mitigate the risk of losing your crypto to an online hack.

What else should I know about cryptocurrency?

It's best to have a good understanding of cryptocurrencies before making a purchase, so read our beginner's guide to cryptocurrencies for more information. Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new phenomenon, so there is still a lot to learn, including the pros and cons of crypto wallets, NFTs, and blockchain technology itself.

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