To begin with it went through $US20,000. Then ten days later, it broke through $US25,000, and then, with seldom taking a breath, it crossed $US30,000. Now merely a few days into 2021, the price of bitcoin has crossed $US40,000.

Nothing’s brand new with the digital currency in the month since it crossed $US20,000 – there is been no significant change in the way it can be used. Even though some investors are currently using the notoriously volatile currency as a “store of value,” which is traditionally a name conserved for safe haven investments as gold as well as other precious metals.

“Will you be in a position to purchase a cup of coffee with bitcoin? Most likely not with the current model of Bitcoin. It is mainly turn into a store of value,” said Mike Venuto, a co portfolio manager of the Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF, a $US391 million ($503 million) exchanged traded fund which focuses on blockchain technologies as well as companies that deal with cryptocurrencies.

Media attention to the rise of its has only added fuel to the rally. But investors in digital currencies and companies that trade or perhaps “mine” them are warning folks to be sceptical of Bitcoin’s the latest rise and to be braced for a lot of volatility.

It’s been an untamed ride for bitcoin the last 3 years. The digital currency made its big Wall Street debut in December 2017, when the main futures exchanges rolled out bitcoin futures. The notice drove Bitcoin to roughly $US19,300, a then unheard of price for the currency.

In that case all this evaporated. The currency’s value plunged sharply in 2018, and by December of that season Bitcoin was really worth less than $US4,000 a coin. Up until this most recent rally which began in October, Bitcoin typically floated between $US5,000 as well as $US10,000.

While during the last 2 years companies have embraced the technology that underlies digital currencies like Bitcoin, a principle called the blockchain, the particular uses for Bitcoin haven’t truly changed after the rally of its three years back. It is still largely used by those distrustful of the banking system, criminals seeking to launder cash, and for the vast majority of part, as a department store of value.

The truth is, other investments typically used as safe havens throughout uncertain times – important valuable metals – have been trading at near record highs as well.