As the digital revolution continues to reshape the financial landscape, Bitcoin (BTC) has emerged as a formidable contender challenging the age-old dominance of gold as a store of value and hedge against inflation.
However, JPMorgan strategists believe that Bitcoin’s current price does not reflect its true potential and argue that it should be trading substantially higher, based on gold’s price and the assumption that many investors view the two assets as interchangeable.
In a note to clients on Wednesday, May 24, analysts at JPMorgan pointed out that with gold’s price hovering just below $2,000 per ounce, Bitcoin should ideally be trading around $45,000. The current trading price of Bitcoin at $26,773 is almost 70% lower than the level suggested by the strategists. This significant disparity implies that either Bitcoin is undervalued or that gold is overvalued, assuming that the two assets are indeed perceived as alternatives by investors.
However, the idea that Bitcoin and gold serve as equal stores of value may not convince everyone. Bitcoin, having been in existence for just 14 years, pales in comparison to gold, which has played that role for centuries. As a result, institutional investors have predominantly favored gold as their safe-haven asset, while Bitcoin has attracted more retail investors.
JPMorgan strategists also highlighted another potential factor that could impact Bitcoin’s price in the future—the halving event. Bitcoin halving is a programmed occurrence that takes place roughly every four years, reducing the rate at which new Bitcoins are created and entering the market. This event decreases the supply of new coins, which could potentially influence Bitcoin’s price. The halving event also halves the number of tokens miners receive for processing transactions and maintaining the blockchain’s security.
The next halving event is expected to occur in April or May of next year. According to estimates, it would double the cost of mining one Bitcoin to approximately $40,000. The reduced supply and increased mining costs could potentially drive the price of Bitcoin upward, although the exact outcome is uncertain.
Despite the optimistic long-term outlook, JPMorgan’s strategists expressed a lack of enthusiasm for Bitcoin’s price in the short term. They cited ongoing regulatory challenges faced by digital assets, including the U.S. regulatory crackdown, disruptions to banking networks supporting the crypto ecosystem, and the aftermath of last year’s FTX collapse. These headwinds are likely to impede any potential upside for Bitcoin’s price, at least in the near future, according to the analysts.
While Bitcoin continues to challenge gold’s status as a store of value and hedge against inflation, its journey towards widespread acceptance and institutional adoption faces significant hurdles. The debate over Bitcoin’s true value, regulatory concerns, and the shifting dynamics of the financial landscape will undoubtedly play crucial roles in determining the future trajectory of both Bitcoin and gold as alternative investment assets.
Read more:
- Will Bitcoin Reach $100,000? PlanB’s Stock-To-Flow Model Suggests Patience Is Key
- PlanB Advises Buying Bitcoin 6 Months Before Halving And Selling For Profit 18 Months After