Cryptocurrency Predictions for 2019

Bitcoin Talk and Cryptocurrencies
1

From Fortune’s The Ledger:

Tether. USD Coin. Gemini Dollar. Basis (RIP).

If 2018 was the year of the so-called stablecoin, or price-pegged cryptocurrency, then what will the new year bring?

While it’s impossible to predict the future with absolute certainty, here are five hypotheses based on The Ledger’s own expert tasseomancy. (Okay, we’ll admit we got this one wrong.)

Below are our 5 predictions for 2019. (This is not investment advice, yada, yada.)

1. Tether loses traction.

For years questions have swirled about the solvency of Tether, historically one of the most popular stablecoin projects. Expect rival stablecoins from the likes of Circle, Coinbase, Gemini, and others to eat away at the monopoly Tether once enjoyed. Even if Tether doesn’t go the way of Basis, which shuttered at the tail end of 2018, its prominence will likely wane as investors flock to surer vaults.

2. Facebook mints WhatsApp coin.

Facebook has been interested in payments at least since it poached David Marcus from PayPal in 2014. Formerly head of messaging products, Marcus spearheaded the media giant’s secretive blockchain initiative last year.

Recent chatter suggests he is gearing up to release a WhatsApp-based remittances product in India. After a rough 2018, the company could use a win right about now.

3. Regulators slap a big kahuna.

The Securities and Exchange Commission will take swings at bigger targets this year. Perhaps it will deem XRP, the world’s second-most valuable cryptocurrency by market capitalization, to be an unregistered security, in which case it will surely whack Ripple, the coin’s purveyor, with fines.

Or maybe the SEC will bring down the hammer on a cryptocurrency exchange for failing to adhere to anti-money laundering and know your customer laws. We’ll bet there are penalties in store for more celebrities who pumped “initial coin offerings” too. #BlessUp

4. Bitcoin ETF wins approval.

As the industry matures, conditions are ripening for a Bitcoin-based exchange traded fund, or ETF. Cooler heads are prevailing among retail investors, post-bubble.

Bakkt , a financial firm brought to you by the folks behind the New York Stock Exchange, is preparing for the debut of a physically settled Bitcoin futures market, improving liquidity. At least one SEC commissioner, Hester Pierce , has agitated to green-light a Bitcoin ETF. Speaking of which, keep an eye on next month’s decision regarding VanEck’s application.

5. The hangover will last.

Cryptocurrency prices will not reclaim their 2017 highs anytime soon. Global geopolitical tensions, volatile equity markets, and talk of a looming economic recession dampen the investment prospects for such a risky asset class, at least in the near-term. It’s worth noting that there is disagreement within The Ledger’s ranks here. My colleague Jeff Roberts thinks the price could rebound sooner. I believe we haven’t seen the bottom yet.

2 Likes
2

Well,as per the market trends it seems cryptocurrency is going to be the next big thing but on the other hand I think people are still not comfortable or rather haven’t understood its basics.I recommend them to approach BBOD which is an expert in dealing with crypto transactions.

Blockchain Board of Derivatives
756-433-7366
Global Gateway 8, Rue De La Perle, Providence, Mahe, Seychelles-02901

3

Interesting. I lost lots with Bitcoin last year :frowning:

4

Thanks for sharing your predictions. I guess institutional money will finally enter the Cryptocurrency market this year.

5

Good point thanks for the share mate. Regardless of whether this comes to life or not coins population will expand going forward.

6

Short update on Bitcoin ETF. Some time ago, SEC officially refused to issue licence for first Bitcoin based exchange traded funds. I find it was a pity. Hopefully they will change opinion in the future

7

“It’s virtually certain. The only question is when,” Ric Edelman, founder of Edelman Financial Engines, said Monday on CNBC’s “ETF Edge” at the Inside ETFs Conference in Hollywood, Florida. “The SEC has several legitimate thoughtful concerns that the industry has to overcome but I’m confident they will. Eventually we will see a bitcoin ETF and it’s at that stage that I will be much more comfortable recommending that ordinary investors participate.”

8

Here is more information about what the Starbucks - Bakkt relationship will look like.

An industry insider told The Block that Starbucks will use Bakkt’s payment software in its U.S. stores - for starters - to accept Bitcoin-based payments. Starbucks will immediately covert any digital payments to fiat to keep cryptocurrencies off its books.

In return for exposing Bakkt’s products to its millions of customers, Starbucks has received “significant equity” in the crypto firm, even though Starbucks hasn’t shelled out cash for its equity stake.

Further, Starbucks is “heavily involved in developing the card and app that will allow it to serve as Bakkt’s first merchant-on-platform,” The Block reported.

This is great news for the crypto industry in general, as it’ll help more and more people see the benefit of using cryptocurrencies in their everyday lives. And that, in turn, could help Bitcoin toward its march to $100,000.

9

Excellent predictions.

It wasn’t Whatsapp but Libra, extremely close though.