Looking Forward: 2018 Cryptocurrency Predictions BY MATTHEW HICKEY · JANUARY 16, 2018 1 2018 Will be a Decisive Year for Cryptocurrency 2017 proved to be one of the most successful years for Bitcoin and altcoins as mentioned previously. But will 2018 be just as good? Here are some 2018 cryptocurrency predictions which will change how cryptocurrencies develop forever. Institutional Investors “Hedge funds ready to go short on bitcoin” – Pensions&Investments It is unknown how institutional investors may affect the stability or volatility of cryptocurrency support. With the introduction of futures trading for Bitcoin in December of 2017, the cryptocurrency market opened to a much wider audience. Market penetration will continue to improve as cryptocurrencies may become investments in typically conservative funds, such as pensions. This can mean the introduction of ETFs for shorting can also have a profound impact. How this will affect pricing and the network is boung to flourish. Government Intervention Governments have been watching Bitcoin long enough to know how to act, but how will the public respond? Governments around the world haven’t gone a blind eye towards the growth of cryptocurrencies. From Russia, China, and The United States, governments have been watching Bitcoin for years now. It is time for them to take action. This could be like Australia, or it could be like New York. It’s difficult to say how this will change things. In 2017, China looked to ban cryptocurrency, but ultimately failed. Now China is looking to regulate Bitcoin mining in the mainland. Government Issued Cryptocurrencies? Great Britain hasn’t quite ditched their plans to release their own cryptocurrency, but this could be disrupted with the unknown effect of leaving the EU. It is clear to us that some government will look to issue their own cryptocurrency as the benefits outweigh the costs. Many opponents believe this could help enforce the “digital divide”. At the very least, the very announcement of a government created cryptocurrency could affect millions of people. Increasing Support and Acceptance Growing Community Engagement As the market cap continues to grow, more have taken notice of cryptocurrency. 2017 was only the second/third wave of cryptocurrency investors. As these investors become more knowledgeable about cryptocurrency, they will turn to community positions. This will help direct the growth and strength of individual cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency fanatics will work together to help develop new technologies. With governments looking to intervene, these communities will fight to develop new technologies to counteract this. This support will help Bitcoin strengthen it’s network. The development and maintenance of each cryptocurrency’s network relies solely upon the strength of the community. The same goes for the opposite. As opposition grows within cryptocurrencies forks will happen more often. ideas begin to coalescence, cryptocurrencies will develop to become stronger and better than before. Year of the Altcoin and Bitcoin Forks 2017 was a monumental year for the growth of altcoins. Prices for Litecoin, Ethereum, DASH skyrocketed past our expectations. The market cap of all cryptocurrencies pushed $500 million plus. This represents an amount that competes with traditional fiat currency. These alternates to Bitcoin will only continue to grow in communal support, but are prone to the same oversight of Bitcoin. 2018 is Bound to have Monumental Effects for Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrency Price Swings and the Year Ahead With changing government regulations, prices are bound to have drastic movements. Governments can have a massive effect on how people perceive things, cryptocurrency is no exception. This could result in dissuading some “late adopters” from continuing their investment. But for those who realize the potential of cryptocurrencies, their patience will pay off. 2018 will prove to be a year of incredible growth or severe growing pains. All in all, cryptocurrency support, infrastructure and regulation will grow enormously. These 2018 cryptocurrency predictions may be challenging, but the long term forecast is promising.