Crypto = speculating, not investing.
Not necessarily true for all crypto or digital assets.
I have tracked one in particular for the last 18 months to two years on a month by month basis and I can confidently tell you that there is zero speculation (or gambling) going on there. Consistent trend value measurable of 10% swing (5% up - 5% down) or thereabouts. Even a complete Joey could trade in and out of that once a month. More consistent than several FIAT currencies.
Had you started with a £5k investment 12 months ago, and simply trading out and reinvesting back in each month, the year end (allowing for the initial £5k and deducting CGT) would have seen a compounded profit of around £50k. This is before we even talk about any speculative potential and what the particular asset is capable of doing in terms of the tech.
In terms of risk in just that one year you would either be stuck with the asset (no big deal, it will be around for the long term) or have a bunch of dollars/pounds to off ramp into your bank account if desired.
I think the trouble is, there are several Financial Advisors who have not adapted or much too cautious. Caution isn't a bad thing but to not adapt, well in anything those who can't or won't adapt get left behind.
The same can be said for banks too. An antiquated system (SWIFT messaging) that is much slower than the facade it keeps trying to believe that it is quick. Tell that to folk who need to pay and settle funds with cross transfers and how long it can still take to wire funds or the costs involved in doing so. Yet when you tell them there is an asset that can pay AND settle in a few seconds and also cost a very negligible amount, regardless of the amount of funds sent, is it any wonder several businesses are turning to other options instead of using the more traditional methods.
Take today/this weekend for example; you urgently need to send funds to someone/business but they aren't in the same banking network or messaging system as yourself. You can send the funds but they won't receive them until Tuesday at the earliest and you will also have the funds pending in your account (aka not settled), plus if it is outside of SEPA then your bank will charge a hefty fee to you for this "privilege".
Imagine you have staff worldwide who need these funds on the day they are paid, who don't recognise the same bank holidays as your native country, and subsequently will have utilities and other bills go out. They can't afford to wait - so why should banking stop because life certainly doesn't?
But of course, crypto/digital assets are pure speculation and nothing else.
