Bitcoin’s explosion in value throughout 2017 launched over 1,600 new cryptocurrencies – and they seemed like unstoppable money-making machines… until Bitcoin lost 83% of it’s value in 2018. And so have nearly all of it’s spin-offs. Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin Gold are down 98%, Etherium and Lite-coin are both down 93%, and some, like Bit Connect have lost 100% of their value in the last year and shut down entirely. So is this the end of cryptocurrency? Was it just a fad? Are Bitcoin just digital beanie babies or is there hope in the new year?

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Problems with Bitcoin

The biggest problem with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies it’s not actually based on a tangible good. It may be called “digital gold”, but unlike gold, there’s no actual use for bitcoin beyond a bunch of ones and zeroes that consume as much electricity as the entire country of Ireland. And while you may be thinking that ones and zeros aren’t much better than a piece of paper – like all other world currencies – those other currencies are backed by actual countries – in other words, people and labor and resources.

Future of Bitcoin

So while freestanding cryptocurrency has taken a beating, country-backed cryptocurrency may just see a resurgence in 2019 – and if you’re not totally sick of crypto after the last year; it may be a good idea to shift your focus. You might just make a little money after all.