The world of cryptocurrencies is growing very quickly. Investors are still interested in Bitcoin and other digital assets. However, one of the biggest problems with dealing with crypto is getting people to believe that it’s safe. This worry is reasonable, especially when considering how crypto assets work: they are common assets with different levels of privacy. Along with this inherent danger, several other factors make crypto investing difficult to understand.
Safety Concerns Surrounding Crypto Investing
1. Steep Learning Curve
Even for people who are good at standard investments, learning how to use cryptocurrency can be hard at first. Regarding stocks and bonds, institutions and regulatory bodies provide some level of oversight and teaching. However, investors often must find their own information in the crypto space. This means knowing about blockchain technology, how decentralized finance (DeFi) works, and the risks that come with different kinds of digital assets.
There is so much information out there that it can overwhelm new investors, leading to misunderstandings and mistakes. This lack of knowledge can lead to bad investment decisions, so anyone interested in crypto must study and ensure they fully understand the assets they are considering buying.
2. Limited Support from Traditional Financial Advisors
Currently, most financial advisors and brokerages don’t fully support crypto investing. This means that “crypto-curious” people must research good investment opportunities, reliable trading platforms, and ways to manage their money. Beginner investors are more likely to make mistakes or fall for scams if they don’t have professional help.
This independent method can be scary, especially for people unfamiliar with technology. Because there isn’t any standard financial support, investors need to be even more careful when picking platforms and keeping their assets safe.
3. Volatility of the Crypto Market
FoMO, or “fear of missing out,” can happen because people are so excited about the uncertain nature of the crypto market. Because they don’t want to miss out on possible big gains, buyers who are looking for opportunities may become too trusting of platforms and “helpful hands.” People who want to profit from market trends may make hasty choices, leaving them open to scams and fraud.
Additionally, the unstable nature of crypto markets can cause big financial losses, especially for people who aren’t ready or don’t have a clear investment plan. To avoid making choices based on fear of missing out (FOMO), it’s important to be careful when investing in crypto and have a well-thought-out plan.
4. Rise of Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
As more decentralized apps (dApps) appear, bad people will have more chances to change these protocols or take advantage of security holes. People who want to hack have focused on DeFi sites like exchanges, lending protocols, and bridges (which move assets between blockchains).
Crypto forensics company Chainalysis, which monitors illegal activity on blockchains, said in a study released in February 2023 that $3.8 billion was stolen from cryptocurrency businesses in 2022, making it the busiest year ever for crypto hacking. In 32 different attacks, $775.7 million of cryptocurrency was stolen in October 2022, making it the busiest month ever for cryptocurrency hacking.
Chainalaysis
The study says that the biggest targets were DeFi sites like exchanges, lending protocols, and bridges. Many of the biggest bridges held assets worth hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Cybercriminals are interested in them because they have a lot of money and are always looking for new ways to exploit system flaws.
Chainalaysis
Even so, DeFi systems are not the only ones that are in danger. Even when the market is down, when investors are less likely to fall for fake investing schemes, scammers still make a lot of money. Hackers, crooks, and con artists will probably keep looking for new ways to steal money as crypto becomes more popular.
Chainalysis
Protecting Yourself: A Crypto Security Checklist
Due to the many risks of dealing in crypto, you need to protect your money beforehand. As you learn more about cryptocurrency, here are some important things to remember:
1. Be Skeptical of “Too Good to Be True” Opportunities
It usually is if an investment chance seems too good to be true. Investors should know that no “risk-free” or “guaranteed returns” plans exist. This is especially true in the volatile and unpredictable world of crypto. You should always be skeptical when someone makes you an offer like this.
2. Do Your Own Research
Do not believe what someone says at face value. Before putting money into an investment opportunity in the crypto world, doing your own research and ensuring it’s real are important. This means looking into the people working on a project, learning about the technology, and determining what risks might be involved.
3. Be Wary of New Token Projects
Be extremely cautious when working with new token projects, especially those run by people you don’t know or trust. Many scams look like new and exciting projects, but they only go away after getting enough money from people who don’t know what’s happening. Before putting money into a new token, ensure the project has a strong base and trustworthy leaders.
4. Avoid Unsolicited Emails and Solicitations
You should be wary if someone emails you or calls you to ask for something. Phishing is a common way for scammers to get people to give them private information or click on harmful links. If you don’t want to receive an email or message, it’s best to delete it and not try to talk to the author.
5. Protect Your Privacy
Don’t brag about a successful crypto deal on social media or at a party. Criminals and scammers can’t go after you if they don’t know you’re out there. Fraudsters and thieves are less likely to target you if you keep your cryptographic actions secret.
6. Be Cautious with Links and Attachments
If a link or file in an email looks sketchy, don’t click on it. In the crypto world, phishing attacks are frequent, and if you click on a bad link, your money could be stolen. Before you click on any links or open any attachments, you should always check the source of an email.
7. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Passwords should only be used once, especially for online banking or cryptocurrency accounts. Also, ensure all your accounts have two-factor authentication (2FA) turned on. This extra layer of protection can help keep people from getting into your accounts who shouldn’t be able to.
8. Don’t Give Anyone Unilateral Control Over Your Account
Do not let anyone or any group take full control of your account. Scammers often pretend to be honest people or businesses to get your money. You should always be in charge of your accounts and never let anyone else see your secret keys or passwords.
9. Choose Reputable Exchanges
If you want to trade directly on an exchange, ensure it has a good reputation for security and many real trades. Some less-known exchanges have been known to lie about their numbers to make them look busier than they really are. Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp, and Gemini are all trustworthy platforms.
Related Article: Your Guide to Cryptocurrency Wallet Types in 2024
10. Diversify Your Holdings
Do not put all your eggs in one basket. You would not keep all your cash under your mattress and shouldn’t do the same thing with crypto. Spread out the types of coins you own and think about moving your money from markets to hardware wallets or cold storage. This makes it less likely that you will lose all of your assets if there is a hack on the market or some other security breach.
Final Thoughts
Crypto trading has a lot of great potential, but it also has a lot of big risks. You can protect your assets and make smart choices if you know about these risks and take the right steps to avoid them. Remember that learning about crypto, being careful, and having a good dose of skepticism are the keys to making money with it. If you take the right steps, you can get through the tough parts of the crypto world and take advantage of its possible returns while minimizing your risk.
