Calgary Herald

Here’s the most important thing to do before investing in cryptocurr­ency

- JANE RUDD

Bitcoin and cryptocurr­ency have made headlines for big gains and losses this year. Some have made millions. Others have lost everything. Those dramatic scenarios aside, is cryptocurr­ency something that you should be adding to your investment mix?

Before you hand over your life’s savings and jump on the crypto bandwagon, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying crypto and examine the most important considerat­ion before diving in.

Pros

Potential for much higher return on investment

Unless you’re extremely risk-averse, it’s not a bad idea to put some funds into cryptocurr­ency. Some of the most exponentia­l gains of the last decade have been made through crypto investing.

Having said that, it’s also made for some crippling losses. The key here is to work with a financial advisor who understand­s cryptocurr­ency, along with traditiona­l investing. This is the most critical step to evaluating how much risk you can afford to take on.

Users are anonymous

Personal informatio­n, like your name and address, isn’t linked to the cryptocurr­ency you send or receive. This makes crypto a chosen tool for those up to some lessthan-legal activities, but it also gives peace of mind to those concerned about their online privacy.

It’s accessible

Provided you have a cell phone, you can buy, use and manage your cryptocurr­ency 24-7. You don’t need a fancy setup or even a computer to dabble in cryptocurr­ency — just internet access and a little crypto know-how.

Cons

No protection from scammers

You know how if you’re scammed via your credit card or bank account, your bank will (usually) work with you to recoup what you’ve lost? That’s not the case with crypto. No authority to oversee operations, plus opportunis­ts looking to cash in on emerging technology and inexperien­ced users, means you’d better keep a close eye on your cryptocurr­ency. Having a well-versed financial advisor who knows crypto comes in handy here once again.

It’s volatile

One minute, your crypto could be worth millions and the next, you’re on the phone with an insolvency lawyer. (We sincerely hope not, but you get the point.) Crypto is unpredicta­ble as far as how its value will perform. If you’re looking for a stable and steady investment vehicle, crypto might not be it.

It’s challengin­g for the tech-challenged

Bitcoin? Blockchain? Crypto? If this is all sounding like a foreign language, you might be more than a little hesitant to put your money on the line. Fair enough. Crypto is not the easiest to understand if you don’t speak tech or have some understand­ing of investing.

The good news? There are people who do speak tech and understand what crypto is all about. Profession­als are more equipped than ever before to guide you through the process and help you determine if this is the right option for you and your money.

Finding the right financial advisor can help you invest in a way that makes sense to you. At the end of the day, it’s not about keeping up with the latest investment trends as much as it is about growing your money by investing intelligen­tly.

To find a financial advisor who understand­s the world of cryptocurr­ency, Canadians are using Vexxit. After answering a few easy questions about what you’re looking for, they deliver you options best suited to your needs and the choice of who you want to work with is up to you. Discover why Vexxit is Canada’s leading choice to find a financial advisor, accountant, lawyer and consultant at vexxit.com.

 ?? SUPPLIED ?? If you are thinking about expanding your portfolio, it is crucial to work with a financial advisor who understand­s cryptocurr­ency, along with traditiona­l investing methods.
SUPPLIED If you are thinking about expanding your portfolio, it is crucial to work with a financial advisor who understand­s cryptocurr­ency, along with traditiona­l investing methods.

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