By Ivan Montik
I am often asked where crypto and Bitcoin are headed, and whether it is still a good opportunity or too late to get engaged, questions that are similar to what I have been hearing during the past 13 years.
I’ve been studying blockchain technology since 2011, deeply immersed in the crypto community and its innovations. Our business at Softswiss was partly built on the rise of Bitcoin more than ten years ago, so I have a clear perspective on whether this tool is suitable for investment, including its potential as a long-term asset for retirement planning and stabilising pension income.
If we examine Bitcoin’s price movements against the US dollar and euro since its inception, we see consistent growth over the long term. Fiat currencies, in contrast, tend to depreciate or lose value over time.
However, Bitcoin does exhibit significant short-term fluctuations – its volatility can make prices swing up and down.
That said, for long-term investments, such as saving towards retirement over a 10-20 year horizon, Bitcoin presents a promising opportunity.
Here’s a strategy that could have been highly effective, based on the last decade: if someone had saved €100 per month from their salary, either in a bank or at home, they would have accumulated €12,000 over ten years, with no significant return or interest. However, if they had invested that same €100 each month in Bitcoin, those €12,000 could have grown to €120,000 or more. This could have provided substantial security for retirement or long-term savings.
Donald Trump announced plans to make the U.S. a leading crypto country in the world. With this ‘Bitcoin joker’, all processes are accelerating, and within the next 4-5 years, we will be living in a different world. If the US establishes a federal Bitcoin reserve of BTC 1 million, the price will likely rise to at least $250,000 or more.
Other countries, as well as those competing with the US, such as China, will have no choice but to establish similar reserves. This could create demand for at least another BTC 1 million, though I believe the actual amount will likely be even higher.
The US will have a vested interest in maintaining Bitcoin’s high value and will push the industry to expand services, banking systems, transactional businesses, and more.
Thus, I’ve come to the conclusion that Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision will become a reality: BTC 1 will be valued at least at $1 million.
We should remember that Bitcoin is limited to 21 million coins and the last coin will be mined in 2140. The answer to the recurring question over the past decade remains the same: there is still significant growth potential for the crypto market and its undisputed leader, Bitcoin.
While crypto remains a risky asset, its long-term growth potential and increasing institutional adoption suggest it could be a valuable addition to a diversified retirement portfolio.
The key is understanding the asset, investing consistently, and viewing it as a long-term strategy rather than a short-term speculation.
Ivan Montik is founder of software and crypto-based gaming developer Softswiss
