Digital currency companies hold major potential
The original idea behind blockchain technology -- a digital ledger that automatically tracks transactions between parties and confirms ownership of a crypto asset -- was to create a borderless, peer-to-peer electronic cash payment system that's efficient and secure.
Investors can certainly purchase cryptos themselves, perhaps by buying small amounts of several different cryptocurrencies. Another way to gain exposure to the sector is to invest in bigger and more established companies that benefit from the increased popularity of blockchain and crypto assets. The revenue that crypto service providers are deriving from blockchain tech has grown explosively over time.
Companies that adopt blockchain technology, especially in finance, may gain a considerable edge over traditional competitors in processing payments. Brokers offering digital assets may attract more customers than exchanges offering traditional assets such as stocks and bonds.
You can even buy exchange-traded funds tracking the spot price of Bitcoin nowadays. Eleven such funds were approved in January 2024, with the most popular names including the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT +0.40%) and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust (FBTC +0.41%). The ETFs make Bitcoin easily available to several new investor types.
However, the sector is subject to sharp market swings. Its peak value of $3 trillion slipped to less than $1 trillion in June 2022 as rising inflation drove many investors away from high-risk investments. The economic downturn also coincided with a downtrend in the cyclical crypto market, also known as a crypto winter.
This was not the crypto market's first gigantic plunge, and it probably won't be the last. Every investment is subject to risks, and you should only invest money you don't need in the short term. That guidance is even more important in the highly volatile crypto sector.
In keeping with that guidance, here are some of the best crypto and crypto-related stocks to consider.
1. Coinbase Global
Coinbase Global (COIN +2.00%), a top cryptocurrency trading exchange, made its initial public offering (IPO) in April 2021. The company is a popular platform for purchasing major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano (ADA +1.58%), allowing users to trade about 250 cryptocurrencies, including many altcoins.
The Coinbase platform's success has been contingent on the increase in crypto prices, which in turn has led to millions of new users creating accounts. Coinbase earns a small transaction fee whenever someone buys or sells a cryptocurrency.
But the company aspires to be more than just a place to trade. It also sponsors a debit card that allows consumers to spend from the balance in their digital wallet, and it's launched a cloud platform for companies using and storing digital currencies.
Coinbase offers two game-changing innovations. The first is bringing the practice of asset loans -- which were previously only available to affluent investors -- to the masses. Users can pledge their Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as collateral and receive a low-interest loan to cover expenses. Using crypto as collateral means investors don't have to sell their assets when emergencies arise, allowing their principal to continue compounding.
The second innovation is the rising adoption of Coinbase's blockchain analytics by governments and financial institutions. Because most blockchains operate on a public ledger, the company can harness and monitor the data for illicit transactions and wallet addresses.
Suppose hackers managed to break through an individual's computer and demand a ransom in the form of Bitcoin to unlock the machine. In that case, Coinbase could then match the hacker's wallet address with millions of know-your-customer (KYC) data points stored on its platform. This could help law enforcement track down the flow of funds and apprehend the cybercriminals -- building greater trust in the crypto space.
All in all, investing in Coinbase is a broad bet on the crypto market. If crypto trading and ownership gain traction in the long run, Coinbase and its shareholders will benefit from the digital currency trend.
