Bitcoin (BTC) has proven to be the best digital store of value in the history of the world, according to Jan van Eck, the CEO of VanEck, a leading investment management firm. In an interview with Cointelegraph, he explained why he believes that Bitcoin is superior to other forms of money and assets.
Van Eck said that Bitcoin has several properties that make it a superior store of value compared to other forms of money and assets. He highlighted the following aspects of Bitcoin:
- Bitcoin is scarce and limited to 21 million coins, unlike fiat currencies that can be inflated by central banks or gold that can be mined indefinitely.
- Bitcoin is decentralized and censorship-resistant, meaning that no one can control or manipulate its supply, demand, or price. It is also immune to confiscation, seizure, or sanctions by governments or authorities.
- Bitcoin is transparent and verifiable, meaning that anyone can see and verify its transactions, balances, and history on the public ledger. It is also easy to audit and secure, thanks to its cryptographic and network protocols.
- Bitcoin is portable and divisible, meaning that it can be easily transferred and exchanged across borders and platforms. It can also be divided into smaller units, such as satoshis, to facilitate microtransactions and payments.
Bitcoin’s volatility is a temporary challenge, not a permanent flaw
Van Eck acknowledged that Bitcoin’s volatility is a challenge for its adoption and acceptance as a store of value, but he argued that it is a temporary issue, not a permanent flaw. He said that Bitcoin’s volatility is mainly driven by its supply and demand dynamics, which are influenced by various factors, such as:
- The innovation and adoption cycle of Bitcoin, which involves periods of rapid growth and expansion, followed by corrections and consolidations. Van Eck said that Bitcoin is still in its early stages of development and adoption, and that it will eventually mature and stabilize as more users, investors, and institutions adopt it.
- The regulatory and legal environment of Bitcoin, which involves uncertainty and ambiguity regarding its status, treatment, and regulation in different jurisdictions. Van Eck said that Bitcoin is facing various challenges and opportunities from regulators and policymakers, and that it will eventually gain more clarity and legitimacy as more countries and regions adopt clear and consistent rules and standards for it.
- The external and internal events and shocks affecting Bitcoin, which involve unexpected and unpredictable occurrences that can impact its price and sentiment, such as hacks, scams, forks, bans, crises, or breakthroughs. Van Eck said that Bitcoin is resilient and adaptable to various events and shocks, and that it will eventually overcome and benefit from them as it learns and evolves from its experiences.
Bitcoin’s potential is enormous and unstoppable, says VanEck CEO
Van Eck said that Bitcoin’s potential as a digital store of value is enormous and unstoppable, and that he is optimistic and bullish about its future. He said that Bitcoin has the following advantages and opportunities:
- Bitcoin is the leader and pioneer of the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, meaning that it has the first-mover advantage, the network effect, and the brand recognition. It is also the most secure, liquid, and widely accepted cryptocurrency in the market.
- Bitcoin is the alternative and hedge to the traditional financial system, meaning that it offers a different and better way of storing and transferring value, especially in times of crisis, instability, or inflation. It is also a hedge against the devaluation and debasement of fiat currencies and the manipulation and corruption of central banks and governments.
- Bitcoin is the catalyst and driver of the digital transformation and innovation of the world, meaning that it enables and empowers new and better ways of doing things, such as peer-to-peer transactions, decentralized applications, smart contracts, and digital identity. It is also a driver of social and economic change, such as financial inclusion, empowerment, and freedom.
Van Eck concluded that Bitcoin is unbeatable as a digital store of value, and that he expects it to continue to grow and thrive in the coming years. He said that VanEck is committed to supporting and promoting Bitcoin and its ecosystem, and that it is working on various initiatives and products to provide access and exposure to Bitcoin for investors and institutions.