How Much Should You Invest In Crypto?

As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the opportunities for investment. Among the many changes we've seen in recent years, perhaps none is more exciting than the rise of cryptocurrency. However, this new form of investment brings with it a multitude of questions, not least of which is, "How much should I invest in crypto?”

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of cryptocurrency investment. We'll explore the reasons to consider investing in cryptocurrencies, how much you might want to invest, and how to decide on the best investment strategy for you. From Bitcoin to altcoins, from Dollar-Cost Averaging to portfolio allocation, we've got you covered.

Why invest in cryptocurrency?

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have gained significant attention from investors, the media, and even governments around the world. This growing interest in digital currencies is driven by a number of factors, which make them an appealing and potentially lucrative addition to investment portfolios. In this section, we'll explore some of the main reasons why you should consider investing in cryptocurrencies. For a more in-depth reasoning, check out our 8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Crypto Investing in 2023

Potential high returns

One of the most significant factors drawing investors to cryptocurrencies is their potential for high returns. Over the past decade, some early adopters have witnessed exponential gains in the value of their digital assets. For example, Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, has seen its price skyrocket from a few cents in 2009 to thousands of dollars today. While past performance is not indicative of future results, the potential for substantial profits in the crypto market is hard to ignore.

It's essential to recognize, however, that the crypto market is also characterized by extreme volatility. While the potential for high returns is alluring, investors must also be prepared for the possibility of substantial losses. As such, it's crucial to approach crypto investing with caution and a clear understanding of the associated risks.

Diversification of investment portfolio

Another attractive aspect of investing in cryptocurrencies is the opportunity to diversify your portfolio. Traditional investment portfolios often consist of stocks, bonds, and cash. By adding cryptocurrencies to the mix, you can potentially reduce your overall risk by spreading your investments across different asset classes.

Cryptocurrencies have shown a low correlation with traditional financial assets, which means their price movements often don't follow the same patterns as stocks or bonds. This characteristic can be particularly beneficial during periods of economic instability or downturns in the stock market, as cryptocurrencies may not be affected in the same way.

Growing asset class

Cryptocurrencies have evolved from a niche, experimental technology into a mainstream financial asset class. With increasing adoption by consumers, businesses, and institutional investors, the market for digital currencies has grown rapidly in recent years.

Many experts believe that cryptocurrencies will continue to play an increasingly significant role in the global financial system. As more people use and invest in digital currencies, their value may continue to rise, offering further potential for gains. Additionally, new cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based technologies are continually being developed, providing investors with a wide range of opportunities in this expanding market.

Is now a good time to invest in cryptocurrency?

Timing the market is a tricky business, especially in the world of cryptocurrencies. However, as of this writing, there are several factors suggesting that now might be a propitious time to consider investing in cryptocurrencies.

Source: Coinmarketcap.com

Emergence from the crypto winter

The term "Crypto Winter" is used to describe periods of significant downturn in the value of cryptocurrencies. These periods can be challenging for investors but also present opportunities. As the saying goes, "The best time to buy is when there's blood in the streets."

Currently, it appears we have emerged from the latest Crypto Winter. After the market highs of 2021, the cryptocurrency market underwent a correction, with many coins experiencing a significant drop in value. This downward trend, however, seems to be stabilizing, and many cryptocurrencies have started to regain their footing.

Fair valuations

With the 2021 bull market behind us, the valuations of many cryptocurrencies have returned to more reasonable levels. During a bull market, hype and speculation can drive prices to unsustainable levels. When the market corrects, prices drop, often back to a more fair valuation.

Currently, many cryptocurrencies are trading at prices that are more in line with their intrinsic value, making them potentially attractive investments. But remember, while the prices may be more reasonable now, cryptocurrencies are still high-risk investments, and prices can be volatile.

Source: Undraw

How much to invest in cryptocurrency?

Deciding how much to invest in cryptocurrency is a personal decision that should take into account several factors. Your financial situation, risk tolerance, age and investment goals should all play a significant role in determining how much of your portfolio you dedicate to crypto.

Understanding your financial situation and risk tolerance

Firstly, it's important to understand your financial situation. How much money are you comfortable with investing? And perhaps more importantly, how much money are you comfortable losing? Cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, with prices that can rise and fall dramatically in a short period. Therefore, it's usually advised only to invest money you can afford to lose.

Percentage of total assets

Previously, experts often suggested that investors dedicate approximately 5-10% of their total assets to cryptocurrencies. However, as the crypto market has matured and become more mainstream, some experts now suggest a higher percentage, closer to 15%, especially for younger generations who may be more comfortable with digital currencies and willing to take on more risk for potentially higher returns.

Consideration of age

Another crucial factor to consider when deciding how much to invest in crypto is your age. Generally speaking, the younger you are, the more risk you can afford to take on. This is because you have more time to recover from potential losses and benefit from the long-term growth of high-risk, high-reward assets. As a general rule of thumb, some financial advisors suggest that the percentage of your portfolio in higher-risk investments (like stocks or cryptocurrencies) should be 100 minus your age. So, if you're 40 years old, 60% of your portfolio could be in riskier investments.

The 50-30-20 rule

Another helpful guideline for determining how much to invest in crypto is the 50-30-20 rule of personal finance. This rule suggests that 50% of your income should go towards necessities (like housing and food), 30% towards discretionary spending, and 20% towards savings. From this 20%, you could consider dedicating a portion to crypto investments.

How much to invest in Bitcoin vs other cryptocurrencies?

Bitcoin, being the first and most well-established cryptocurrency, holds a unique position in the crypto landscape. Its name is synonymous with cryptocurrency for many people, and it has a track record that other digital currencies lack. Despite its price volatility, Bitcoin has generally increased in value over time, leading to substantial returns for long-term investors.

Investing a larger portion of your crypto allocation into Bitcoin could be considered a more conservative approach within the context of cryptocurrency investing. While Bitcoin's price can and does fluctuate significantly, it has shown resilience over the years and remains the largest and most influential cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Alternative cryptocurrencies, often referred to as "altcoins," include every digital currency other than Bitcoin. Some of the more well-known altcoins include Ethereum, Ripple (XRP), and Litecoin, but there are thousands of others, each with its own unique benefits and risks.

Investing in altcoins can be riskier than investing in Bitcoin because they are generally less established and more volatile. However, the potential returns can also be much higher. For example, some altcoins have seen far greater price increases than Bitcoin during certain periods, offering significant profits to those who invested at the right time.

Source: Undraw

Balancing bitcoin and altcoins

So, how much should you invest in Bitcoin vs altcoins? A balanced portfolio might include both. The precise allocation will depend on your comfort with risk, investment timeline, and belief in the potential of specific altcoins.

A common strategy could be to invest a larger portion of your crypto budget in "safer" currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and a smaller percentage in higher-risk, potentially higher-return altcoins.

For example, you might allocate 40% of your crypto investment to Bitcoin, 30% to Ethereum, 15% to other established altcoins and the remaining 5% to newer, riskier altcoins. Again, these numbers are just examples - the ideal allocation for you will depend on your individual circumstances.

Should I invest in cryptocurrencies every month?

Regularly investing a fixed amount of money into cryptocurrencies each month, regardless of the price, is a strategy known as Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA). This strategy can be a highly effective way to mitigate risk and potentially increase your long-term returns. Here's why.

The Power of Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

Dollar-cost averaging involves spreading out your investments over a specific period to reduce the impact of price volatility. Instead of investing a lump sum at once, you invest smaller, fixed amounts regularly—say, every week or month.

The beauty of DCA is that it takes emotion out of the equation. When prices are high, you buy less, and when prices are low, you buy more. Over time, this can lower the average cost of your investments.

DCA can be particularly useful in the volatile world of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency prices can fluctuate wildly on a day-to-day basis, making it challenging to time the market effectively. With DCA, you don't need to predict the best time to invest—instead, you're consistently investing regardless of the price, which can smooth out the highs and lows over time. For other strategies check out our comprehensive guide.

A long-term strategy

Investing in cryptocurrencies every month using the DCA strategy is a good long-term strategy. Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, have shown a general trend of increasing value over the long term, despite short-term price drops. By investing regularly over time, you can potentially benefit from this long-term growth trend.

A monthly investment strategy also encourages regular saving and disciplined investing. By committing to a set investment amount each month, you're less likely to be swayed by market hype and fear, making it easier to stick to your investment plan.

Where to invest in cryptocurrencies?

Once you've decided to invest in cryptocurrencies, the next step is to choose where to make your investments. Here are some of the options available to you below and if you are new, check out our crypto investing 101

DIY investing on cryptocurrency exchanges

If you're a hands-on investor who likes to have full control over your investments, then investing through a cryptocurrency exchange might be for you. These platforms allow you to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies directly.

Some of the most popular and reputable cryptocurrency exchanges include Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. These platforms offer a wide range of cryptocurrencies to choose from, including Bitcoin and numerous altcoins. They also provide various features like advanced trading options, security measures, and educational resources.

Automated investing with robo-advisors

If you're looking for a more hands-off approach to investing in cryptocurrencies, or if you're new to the space and want some guidance, an automated investing service, or robo-advisor, could be a good option.

Moonbit.ai, for example, is a cryptocurrency robo-advisor that allows you to invest in intelligent portfolios. These portfolios are designed and managed by algorithms that determine what to buy, when to sell, and when to rebalance based on market conditions and your risk profile.

Investing with a robo-advisor like Moonbit can simplify the investment process and take the emotion out of investing, which can be particularly beneficial in the volatile cryptocurrency market. Plus, it can save you a lot of time as you won't need to monitor the market and make trading decisions constantly.