Dr Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist takes a look at Bitcoin which has had nearly a 15 fold increase in price from its low last year.
The key points are as follows:
- Digital currencies and block chain technology may have a lot to offer – but that does not mean Bitcoin will be it.
- Due to extreme volatility, high transaction costs and slow processing, Bitcoin does not cut it as digital cash.
- But it’s not an asset generating cash flows either, which makes it impossible to value.
- The key for investors is not to invest in something if you don’t understand it and to recognise that just because Bitcoin has surged in price does not prove its worth.
Read the article ‘Bitcoin – It’s Not A Currency, It’s Not A Capital Asset… So What Is It?’ from AMPCapital. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised by Dr Oliver, please call on +61 07 5610 1915.