Before investing in Bitcoin, you want to know what influences its value. Here are the primary determinants of Bitcoin’s price.
Nobody wants to invest in Bitcoin without knowing the trend the price might take. If you’ve monitored Bitcoin for a while, you already know about its volatility. For some people, price volatility means they can lose their hard-earned money trading or invest in this cryptocurrency. However, some see this volatility as an opportunity to make significant returns or profits. Either way, the outcome depends on the ability to predict price movements.
Platforms like Qumas AI allow individuals to sign up and trade Bitcoin. Upon registering, you can load your account with fiat money and use it to purchase Bitcoin. After that, you can move your Bitcoins to a crypto wallet or sell them after a while. But profiting from Bitcoin trading or investing entails predicting market prices and timing your trades. Consequently, knowing what determines Bitcoin price is essential.
What are the primary determinants of Bitcoin price?
Supply and Demand
Supply and demand are vital determinants of Bitcoin’s price. When there’s more demand than supply, the prices go up. And when the reverse happens, prices come down. That’s how most markets work.
Network Effect
The network effect also plays a role in determining Bitcoin’s price. The network effect is simple to understand. It means that as more people use a product or service, the more valuable it becomes.
For example, suppose there are only two email service providers worldwide: Gmail and Hotmail. If you want to communicate with someone, you need to use the same email service provider. But if there are three providers, you can choose any of them. The third provider has a small market share but is still part of the network.
The same applies to Bitcoin. As more people use it, the more valuable it becomes. That’s because only 21 million Bitcoin can exist. So, as demand increases, prices go up.
Cost of Production
Production cost also affects Bitcoin’s price. In general, when production costs go up, prices increase, and when costs drop, prices fall. The cost of producing a Bitcoin depends on electricity and computing power.
When mining rigs become more efficient, the cost of production falls. That’s because they use less electricity to mine each Bitcoin. Conversely, when rigs become less efficient, or electricity prices go up, the cost of production increases. And this affects its price. When the cost of production is high, prices are low, and when the cost of production is low, prices are high.
Investor Sentiment
Investor sentiment is another critical determinant of Bitcoin’s price. When investors are bullish or have a positive outlook on Bitcoin, prices tend to go up. And when investors are bearish or have a negative view of Bitcoin, prices usually fall.
Investor sentiment is affected by news and events that can cause prices to rise or fall. For example, if there’s positive news about Bitcoin adoption, prices might increase because investors are optimistic about the future of the cryptocurrency. Similarly, if there’s negative news about regulation, prices might fall because investors are worried about the future of Bitcoin.
Government Regulations
Government regulations can also affect Bitcoin’s price. When governments make it difficult to buy, sell, or use Bitcoin, prices usually go down. That’s because fewer people are willing to invest in a cryptocurrency that’s not widely accepted or legal in their country.
On the other hand, prices usually go up when governments make it easier to buy, sell, or use Bitcoin. That’s because more people are willing to invest in a cryptocurrency that’s more accessible and that’s legal in their country.
In general, government regulations have a direct effect on demand. When demand decreases, prices fall, and when demand increases, prices rise.
The Bottom Line
These are critical factors that determine Bitcoin’s price. Supply and demand, the network effect, the cost of production, investor sentiment, and government regulations all play a role in setting prices. Other factors, such as forks, airdrops, and whales, can also affect Bitcoin’s price. But these factors are usually temporary and don’t have a long-term impact on prices.
