Stefan emphasized that Bitcoin is fundamentally different from other cryptocurrencies, branding them as "shitcoins." He likened Bitcoin to a reliable bus ticket that people hold for long-term value rather than for immediate transactions. This analogy drives home the point that the utility of a cryptocurrency should not dictate its intrinsic value, asserting that the use of altcoins for speculative purposes lacks substance.
2. Critique of Utility Token Thesis
According to Stefan, the common belief that utility or governance tokens inherently increase in value due to their functionalities is misguided. He stated that the value does not accrue merely because a token is used as a transfer fee or gas on a particular blockchain. This critique urges investors to ask themselves whether the tokens they hold truly possess long-term value beyond simplistic transactional uses.
3. Importance of Holding Bitcoin
Stefan shared his perspective on why holding Bitcoin—rather than using it merely for spending—is essential. He described Bitcoin as a form of digital gold that individuals should strive to accumulate, indicating that the mindset surrounding Bitcoin should focus on its potential to become the primary form of money rather than a quick transaction tool.
4. Bitcoin's Decentralized Network Strength
Stefan highlighted the robust decentralized nature of Bitcoin's network, pointing out that anyone can verify their own transactions by running a Bitcoin node. This feature not only assures transparency but also protects individual investors from centralization, contrasting starkly with many altcoins that could be seen as more centralized technology platforms.
5. Price Comparisons and Market Trends
Stefan provided compelling historical data to support his assertion that altcoins often underperform Bitcoin in the long run. He illustrated this point by comparing the all-time price highs of Bitcoin and altcoins like Ethereum, noting that even following recent pumps, altcoins remain significantly lower in Bitcoin terms, effectively discrediting them as long-term investments.
6. Assessing Risk and Volatility
Stefan acknowledged that while Bitcoin may experience volatility on its path towards wider adoption, it is likely to remain a more stable investment compared to altcoins, as evidenced by their price charts over time. He cautioned that investors should consider the inherent risks of investing in volatile altcoin markets and how that affects their overall investment strategy.
Join our research newsletter!
Value-packed daily reports covering news, markets, on-chain data, fundraising, governance, and more – sent to your inbox. Saving you 1 hour of research daily.