Cryptocurrencies: Should You Invest in Them?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to grow in popularity, but if you’re considering investing in them, there are some key things you should know first.

Beyond learning the basics of cryptocurrencies, investors should keep the myriad risks in mind, including that the value of even the most popular cryptocurrencies have been volatile, the market isn’t very transparent, transactions are irreversible, consumer protections are minimal or nonexistent, and regulators still haven’t clarified their approach to regulating them. We suggest that investors who want to invest in cryptocurrencies treat them as a speculative asset using funds outside a traditional long-term portfolio.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the issues surrounding them:

What is the SEC’s take on cryptocurrencies?

The Securities and Exchange Commission generally has been skeptical of cryptocurrencies, with chairs expressing concern that the product is too volatile, that investor protections are inadequate, and that regulations are insufficient, though current SEC Chair Gary Gensler has stated on several occasions that he had no intention of attempting to outlaw them. The agency has rejected multiple applications for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest directly in Bitcoin over the last several years.

In August 2021, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said that he was open to the idea of ETFs that invested in cryptocurrency futures, but not those that invested in the spot markets, because the futures markets are already regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In October 2021 the first two Bitcoin futures ETFs—the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) and the Valkyrie Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BTF)—were approved and launched. While a few others have followed, they are all limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum, as those are the only two cryptocurrencies for which an active futures market is currently established.

Will Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies become the new global currency?

Until there is appropriate regulation and consumer protections, we don’t think so, but time will tell. To be viable, a currency usually requires three characteristics:

• It can be used as an inexpensive, reliable medium of exchange;
• It can be a unit of account;
• It can be a store of value and legal tender honored as a means of payment.

As long as Bitcoin is subject to high volatility and hefty transaction fees, it seems likely that it will have only limited use as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, or a store of value. Another barrier to broader public acceptance as a true currency is that, as cryptocurrencies have become more widespread, the risk of regulation is on the rise—eliminating part of their appeal to those investors who perceive them as a currency not controlled by central bank policy or national governments.

Can Bitcoin be used as a hedge against inflation?

Because the value of Bitcoin is currently not tied to the value of a basket of goods or services, its value as an inflation hedge is a matter of speculation and is unpredictable. Throughout much of 2021 and 2022, Bitcoin experienced both sharp rallies and sharp price declines even though inflation data consistently ticked higher. Whether Bitcoin will prove to be an effective inflation hedge in the long run is yet to be determined.

How are cryptocurrencies taxed?

The IRS currently treats Bitcoin as property, not currency. Cryptocurrency transactions are taxable by the IRS whenever a taxable event occurs, such as selling Bitcoin for a fiat currency, paying for a product or service with Bitcoin or trading it for another asset. Currently, investors are responsible for tracking cost basis, gains, and other reporting. For help, refer to IRS Notice 2014-21, or consult with a tax advisor.

However, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) which was passed in November 2021 requires cryptocurrency exchanges to report cryptocurrency transactions on form 1099-B starting in 2023. Additionally, the IIJA will require that exchanges of $10,000 or more of cryptocurrency be reported to the IRS, similar to current form 8300 reporting requirements for cash transactions, also starting in 2023. However, it’s important to remember that this $10,000 reporting requirement does not mean that a cryptocurrency transaction of less than $10,000 is not taxable. The tax code states that “all income from whatever source derived” is taxable, even if it’s not reportable to the IRS. For example, an individual who sold $500 worth of items at a flea market would still owe taxes on that income, even though it was not reported to the IRS on a Form 1099.

Are cryptocurrency trades subject to wash-sale rules?

Tax experts believe that because the IRS currently considers cryptocurrencies to be property, not securities, losses are treated differently from those of stocks and mutual funds, so wash-sale rules generally don’t apply. However, as new rules are proposed and adopted, the IRS and the SEC are likely to issue new guidance on this subject in the future.

What are some risks of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies?

• Financial loss. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices historically have been highly volatile, and fluctuations could result in significant losses if sold at the wrong time.
• Future regulation. Cryptocurrency issuance and trading is currently not well regulated, and additional oversight and regulation in the future is likely. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has noted her concern over cryptocurrencies being used “for illicit financing.”
• Fraud and cybercrime. These already have occurred. Given concerns above, cryptocurrencies could come under scrutiny from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), for noncompliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering requirements. Bitcoin exchanges have been subject to computer outages caused by excessive demand, and because the ledgers are held on the internet, a large-scale cyberattack could limit access in an emergency—something less likely to happen with cash or gold.
• Theft or loss. A login ID and password is usually required to access a cryptocurrency exchange. If this is lost, hacked, or stolen, access could be denied or lost. While uncommon, bitcoins can be stored in physical wallets, so they can be spent without a computer; this creates the same risks inherent in all cash currencies: They could be lost, stolen, or destroyed by accident.

Does Schwab recommend investing in cryptocurrencies?

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are speculative investments, in our view. We don’t believe that Bitcoin fits within traditional asset allocation models at this time, as it is neither a traditional commodity, such as gold, nor a traditional currency. Bitcoin’s dramatic volatility is driven primarily by supply and demand, not inherent value. Bitcoin doesn’t have earnings or revenues. It doesn’t have a price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-sales ratio, or book value. Traditional value metrics don’t apply, so there are no methods for assessing its value that we endorse or find persuasive.

Whether you should invest in cryptocurrencies depends on your goals and preferences as an investor, as it does with any asset or security. We suggest that clients approach it as a speculative investment and consider the high volatility and risks involved. For those who already have a diversified portfolio and a long-term investment plan, we see ownership of cryptocurrencies as outside the traditional portfolio.

¹ Satoshi Nakamoto published the white paper “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” on Oct. 31, 2008.