Cryptocurrencies as investment: benefits and risks

Abstract

The cryptocurrency market has been developing dynamically in recent years. The rapid development of the market is the result of an increased interest in cryptocurrencies, both from those who consider it as a means of payment, and from investors who purchase cryptocurrencies for speculative purposes. Blockchain technology, on which cryptocurrencies are based, has gained acceptance in the financial industry, and many companies are engaged in the work on using it in their activities. On the other hand, numerous supervisory authorities, including the European Banking Authority, the European Central Bank, the National Bank of Poland and the Polish Financial Supervisory Authority, warn against investing in cryptocurrencies, pointing out the numerous risks associated with such investments. The purpose of the article is to analyze the benefits and potential risks of investing in cryptocurrencies. The object of the research is investing in cryptocurrencies. The subject of the research is cryptocurrencies as investment. The author used the methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and deduction. As a result of the study, the advantages and potential risks of investing in cryptocurrencies were analyzed. In addition, countries that have fixed the management of the bitcoin cryptocurrency at the legislative level have been reviewed.