The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made history this week, approving the first-ever Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to launch in the US–and setting up the crypto market for a renewed bull run.
With finance giants like BlackRock, Invesco, Fidelity, Grayscale, and Ark Invest now firmly established in the crypto market, it’s wise not to discount cryptocurrencies as an important part of one’s portfolio alongside stocks and bonds.
On the first day, ETF funds brought in a staggering $4.6 billion volume, shattering the record previously held by Gold ETFs at $1.63 billion on opening day back in 2004, confirming intense demand.
In the wake of this historic milestone, here are five digital assets investors should consider adding to their crypto portfolios.
1. Bitcoin: Set for Growth After ETF Approval Milestone
The SEC’s approval
will finally open up Bitcoin to a wide swath of conventional investors who previously faced barriers to exposure.
Big institutional fund managers have now added Bitcoin to their investment funds, with retirement planners able to include it in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. Rather than grappling with the complexities of direct cryptocurrency ownership, mainstream investors are now able to access Bitcoin through trusted financial institutions and regulated fund structures.
Beyond just increasing accessibility, the game-changing move also further established Bitcoin’s legitimacy in the eyes of both retail and institutional investors. Bitcoin can now securely sit alongside traditional assets like stocks and bonds in conventional portfolios.
Gold did, roughly, a 5x in 10 years, once the ETF was approved, and there is virtually an unlimited supply of gold.
Imagine what will happen to Bitcoin.
— $conrad (@conraddit) January 11, 2024
“This ETF has two main impacts: increased distribution in the US (a moderate impact, as there have been ETFs outside of the US for years) and increased credibility of crypto as an ‘asset class’ (a very high impact),” crypto liquidity provider Keyrock CEO Kevin de Patoul told CNBC. “There is now a U.S. bitcoin spot ETF, and bitcoin is no longer considered shady or infamous. This significantly changes the perception for the mainstream public.”
For true believers, Bitcoin’s potential is almost limitless despite already being the world’s largest cryptocurrency. ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood predicts Bitcoin’s price will reach $1.5 by 2030 in a bullish scenario, a 50% increase from her previous forecast of $1 million.
“We think the probability of the bull case has increased with this SEC approval. This is a green light,” Wood said in an interview with CNBC.
2. Ethereum: Primed to Enhance Crypto Portfolio Returns
Ethereum stands to add huge value as a core holding in crypto portfolios. As the second largest cryptocurrency behind Bitcoin, Ethereum offers investors a way to diversify their crypto allocations. It also provides exposure to decentralized applications and smart contracts.
Ethereum reached its highest price point since May 2022 following the launch of the first Bitcoin ETFs. Investors are now optimistic that Ethereum ETFs could also become a reality soon.
Major finance leaders like BlackRock, Fidelity, Invesco, Ark Invest, and VanEck have Ethereum ETF applications pending before the SEC, with decisions expected on these filings beginning in May 2024. The potential greenlighting of these funds would allow mainstream investors to gain exposure to Ethereum through their traditional brokerage accounts.
#BitcoinETF = ✅#EthereumETF =❓
Here are the deadlines for spot $ETH ETF applications.
First final deadline is May 23rd – could we see the #Ethereum ETF approved shortly after the #Bitcoin halving? 🤔
Can this year get any better? LFG ✌️ pic.twitter.com/22C0UcV1uu
— Crypto Rand (@crypto_rand) January 11, 2024
The major Dencun upgrade for Ethereum is slated to deploy to the testnet next week. Dencon’s goal is to bolster scalability and reduce network congestion through Proto-Danksharding. This could greatly lower transaction fees and improve speeds on Layer 2 solutions. The implications would be increased utility for decentralized apps and broader Ethereum adoption.
With possible ETF approvals on the horizon and impactful network improvements ahead, Ethereum is a prime candidate for investors looking to incorporate cryptos into their portfolios. The mix of price appreciation potential and real-world use cases could make Ethereum a portfolio standout as adoption progresses. Its addition to SEC-approved ETFs would remove key barriers to entry for many investors as well.
3. XRP: Could See Gains Despite ETF Uncertainty
While SEC-approved ETFs appear to be a distinct possibility for Ethereum, the regulatory picture is cloudy for XRP. Ongoing litigation between Ripple Labs and the SEC has created ambiguity around XRP’s status. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart believes this makes a spot XRP ETF highly unlikely in 2024.
There are still compelling reasons for investors to consider XRP for their 1`portfolios, however. Despite lacking ETF access, XRP is trading at a much lower price than its 2021 highs near $2, with the current price standing at $0.6023. This presents an intriguing value opportunity if the blockchain leader can resolve its legal case favorably.
XRP also offers intrinsic advantages like speed, reliability, and negligible costs for cross-border payments. If Ripple can expand adoption as intended, XRP would be positioned to capitalize.
Some industry voices even see a substantial upside in XRP’s price should its payments network reach scale. Though speculative, Wells Fargo’s Shannon Thorpe cited Ripple’s internal projections of $500+ per XRP in this scenario.
From the 2023 New Value Report by #Ripple
$250T is expected by 2027 just in cross-border payments!
A $500 XRP price just doesn’t seem like enough to facilitate that amount. 😉 $xrp #xrpisnotasecurity pic.twitter.com/HvIIp0vIiD
— Shannon Thorp (@thorpshannon87) September 11, 2023
For investors open to holding cryptos directly, XRP provides discounted exposure to a promising payments network. And it offers diversification alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum in portfolios. Once regulatory clarity improves, XRP can become a prime candidate for SEC-approved ETFs as well.
4. Solana: Expected to Follow in Ethereum’s Footsteps
The launch of Bitcoin ETFs has also fueled speculation that a Solana ETF could be close behind. The 3rd biggest blockchain saw its price surge over 14% on the heels of the Bitcoin ETF launches, as investors anticipate a SOL ETF is next in line to receive the greenlight once the Ethereum ETF launches.
Investment manager VanEck reiterated its conviction in Solana’s long-term potential, stating “Solana will join the spot ETF wars thanks to a flurry of asset managers submitting filings.” Analysts at VanEck expect Solana to become a top 3 network by market capitalization, total value locked, and active users within two years.
Beyond potential ETF access, Solana offers standout speed, low fees, and rapidly expanding adoption that makes it an appealing crypto portfolio addition. According to Solana’s testnet reports, the network handles 50,000 transactions per second with negligible costs.
In addition, Solana’s growth in decentralized apps, NFTs, DeFi, and other uses is continuing to gain momentum. Developers have flocked to build decentralized apps on the blockchain, with over 450 projects launched so far.
For crypto investors, Solana provides exposure to an ecosystem with exceptional growth. Its blend of speed, scalability, affordable fees, and staking rewards offers well-rounded appeal. And the potential addition of SEC-approved Solana ETFs would remove key barriers to entry.
5. Bitcoin Minetrix: Boost Crypto Portfolio Returns Through ‘Dividends’
As investors look to capitalize on the new Bitcoin ETFs, Bitcoin Minetrix offers a way to further benefit from Bitcoin’s growth through cloud mining that can provide ongoing dividend-like income. The project’s native token, $BTCMTX, seeks to make Bitcoin mining more secure and accessible through its “Stake-to-Mine” method.
Rather than requiring direct investments into cloud mining contracts, Bitcoin Minetrix will allow participants to stake $BTCMTX tokens to earn non-tradable “mining credits.” These credits will then provide Bitcoin mining power, enabling hands-off earning of the top crypto.
Bitcoin Minetrix has already attracted substantial interest, raising over $8.2 million since its presale launch. The native token is currently available for $0.0128, with the price set to increase through 39 presale stages up to $0.0148.
#BitcoinMinetrix versus Traditional Cloud Mining
Assessing the Risks: 📊#BTCMTX = Dependable withdrawals and adaptable selling options.
Conventional cloud mining = Non-reversible purchases, earnings influenced by market changes. pic.twitter.com/KF8qGYa0zO
— Bitcoinminetrix (@bitcoinminetrix) January 11, 2024
The presale’s goal is to raise at least $15 million to fund development, marketing, and mining infrastructure, presenting an intriguing opportunity amid the newfound embrace of Bitcoin ETFs.
By tokenizing cloud mining and shifting away from direct contracts, Bitcoin Minetrix will offer a scam-resistant alternative. Staking will also unlock earning potential without heavy transaction fees. For investors excited by the dawn of ETFs, Bitcoin Minetrix will provide accessible exposure to BTC mining rewards.
The launch of Bitcoin ETFs signals a turning point for mainstream crypto adoption. Ethereum stands ready to follow Bitcoin’s lead as investors eye its smart contract capabilities. Solana’s blend of speed and low fees also positions it as a frontrunner for potential SEC approval.
And while XRP may face a lengthier path, its discounted price presents an intriguing value play. For investors looking to tap into crypto presales, Bitcoin Minetrix offers a unique opportunity through its crypto-staking cloud mining model. With prudent portfolio allocation, these 5 cryptocurrencies may help enhance returns as adoption advances.
Visit Bitcoin Minetrix Here
