April 19, 2018 Article

3 Factors that Could Turn the Crypto-Market Around

The first quarter of 2018 did not end well as many analysts had predicted. Figures gathered on March 31, 2018, reveal a stunning blow to the market as the top 5 cryptocurrencies and altcoins experienced a major financial nosedive.

The market, which ended 2017 on a high note and started 2018 with a collective value of $612 billion and reached a high $820 billion on January 8, failed to capitalize on the increase. At the close of the 2018 1st quarter, the crypto market value had fallen by 48% to $261 billion, leaving heads turning, and speculations rife on the future of this new financial asset.


A Bumpy Ride

The cryptocurrency market gained increasing appeal and rose to fame due to its anonymous and decentralized features. Investors envisioned new ways of evading federal taxes, as well as ease and simplicity of use, even as they raked in gargantuan profits. However, several changes that have led to a decline in cryptocurrency popularity occurred in the last three months.

The absence of regulations and rising scams that have swindled investors billions of dollars brought the cryptomarket under attack. This has captured the attention of governments with regulators in Japan and the US calling for increased vetting and rules surrounding transactions occurring on the crypto sphere.

Japan’s Coincheck was hacked in January in an incident that saw consumers lose about $530 million worth of cryptocurrencies. Following this incident, some cryptocurrency players in countries like the UK have turned to self-regulation. We have witnessed greater government scrutiny in Japan and US while countries like China and India have considered absolute cryptocurrency bans.

The market suffered another blow when internet tech giants, Google, Twitter, and Facebook announced bans on all crypto related adverts. While these issues could have taken a toll on digital currencies over the last three months, the focus must now shift to what needs to be done to enable the cryptomarket to regain its lost ground moving forward.


Consumer Education

According to Piers Mana, co-founder & systems architect at Roux.io, educating consumers on how cryptocurrencies work is critical is the cryptomarket is to regain its value.

“In light of the recent cryptomarket shifts, there are at least three major opportunities for recovery. One opportunity lies in the education of non-technical consumers. The blockchain is built on trust and trust requires understanding. To date, there have been few successful efforts made to educate consumers about the value of this emerging technology. Education is key to the longevity and stability of blockchain technology in general,” Mana says.


Wider Adoption

We need to see a wider application of blockchain for the cryptomarket to recover. The recent announcement by Amazon and Starbucks to integrate cryptocurrencies and blockchain in their business models is inspired market confidence.

However, there is need to have more corporations and other large entities adopt blockchain technologies. If this happens, it will be a strong sign of market to maturity and a demonstration of blockchain technology potential.

Massimiliano Rijllo, Co-founder, and CEO of Coinnect SA, “The market needs some sign of maturity and a transformation to express the full technology potential. Not only ICOs able to collect funds but companies able to build new technologies, business models and objectives aligned with token investors.”


Clear Regulations

2017 was a great run for the crypto market, but there is no reason why regulation should hamper further growth. In fact, some pundits predicted this outcome. Regulation and due diligence should make for a better economic model.

“The market, in 2017 boomed in a way that had never been seen before. Some cryptos went up more than 100 times in value. This drop in Q1 2018 is a healthy correction of the overall market. Last is the fact that the world is waking up to the fact that traditional currencies are being manipulated,” said Liwaa Chehayeb, Chief Business Officer at Darico.

Traditional fiat currencies have suffered economic downturns since they first came into print. Through government interventions and fiscal policies, the dollar has stabilized itself repeatedly. There is no reason why the cryptocurrency market, along with its myriad digital currencies, should not expect the same.





Disclaimer: David Drake is on the advisory board for most of the firms mentioned or quoted in this article.