Why Betting on Bitcoin Is the Smart Play in 2022

As stock markets continue to struggle, here’s why Bitcoin and the booming crypto industry offer a ton of potential heading into 2022.

Big Bitcoin logo.

Image source: Getty Images

Over the last two years, cryptocurrencies have gained a ton of value and been some of the best investments you can own. It hasn’t just been top cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin gaining in value either. The entire industry has seen a massive rally, as more investors and institutions recognize the potential and look to gain exposure to the space.

At the start of 2020, the entire cryptocurrency industry was worth roughly $190 billion. By the start of this year, it was worth roughly $750 billion. And today, the total value of the industry is a whopping $2.6 trillion, with Bitcoin making up more than 40% of the total value.

It continues to be the most dominant cryptocurrency and is still worth roughly double its next closest competitor, Ether. But will this dominance continue over the long run, and is Bitcoin a top cryptocurrency to buy for 2022?

Is Bitcoin a good investment for 2022?

There are many high-quality investments you can make in the cryptocurrency industry going forward, as long as you take a long-term position. Bitcoin is certainly one of those, and there are several reasons to be bullish today.

First off, because it was the first and continues to be the most popular cryptocurrency by a large margin, its brand recognition is a significant benefit. Because of its popularity, it’s not only traded on virtually every exchange, but it’s also the main trading pair for other cryptocurrencies.

So, not only can you buy Bitcoin very easily, unlike many other cryptocurrencies, but you’ll also likely need to buy it first in order to trade for other, lesser-known coins.

Another reason that Bitcoin continues to offer long-term potential is the numerous investment products being created to allow investors to gain exposure. For example, there are now several Bitcoin ETFs that you can buy, making it very easy to invest in the industry.

The easier it is to gain exposure to Bitcoin, the more investors will do so. And as these funds grow in popularity, they have to buy more Bitcoin to keep up with investor demand. So, naturally, as the industry gains in popularity, and more investors are drawn to the space, it’s one of the top cryptocurrencies that will benefit as a result.

How to gain exposure to the top cryptocurrency today

As I mentioned above, there are several ways to gain exposure to Bitcoin, and that only continues to increase. First, you can choose any number of the numerous ETFs that buy and hold the coin for you.

Another option would be the Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF, which just launched this week and employs a covered call strategy, allowing investors to earn a yield on their Bitcoin holdings. This is a slightly lower-risk investment. However, should Bitcoin skyrocket, your gains will be capped.

Another option would be to consider a Bitcoin miner, such as Hut 8 Mining. These mining stocks would be considered slightly riskier. However, they have the potential to grow rapidly when Bitcoin’s price is rising. For example, throughout 2021 Bitcoin has gained nearly 100% in value while Hut 8 Mining has increased by almost 250%.

No matter which investment you choose, though, just gaining exposure to Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency industry, in general, could be one of the best investments you make for 2022.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Bitcoin and Ethereum.

More on Investing

Payday ringed on a calendar
Dividend Stocks

Monthly Income Masters: 2 Canadian Stocks Paying Steady Dividends Every 30 Days

You can expect to earn reliable monthly passive income for years to come by investing in these two top Canadian…

Read more »

A small flower grows out of a concrete crack.
Investing

2 Soaring TSX Stocks Whose Growth Is Just Getting Started

Badger Infrastructure Solutions (TSX:BDGI) and Cameco (TSX:CCO) are great growth plays that are a must watch on the way down.

Read more »

Red siren flashing
Dividend Stocks

Dividend Alert: 2 High-Yield Stocks Trading at Discounted Prices

These stocks pay great dividends and could be undervalued right now.

Read more »

edit Real Estate Investment Trust REIT on double exsposure business background.
Dividend Stocks

The Best Canadian REITs to Invest in This May 2024

Higher interest rates have weighed on stocks. Here are the best bargains in Canadian REITs this month!

Read more »

tsx today
Stock Market

TSX Today: What to Watch for in Stocks on Thursday, May 2

TSX investors will watch Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem’s speech as the first-quarter corporate earnings season continues in full…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

Invest $10,000 in This Dividend Stock for $2,620.16 in Passive Income

This dividend stock is up 21% in the last year, with a 4.96% dividend yield. And even more growth is…

Read more »

Volatile market, stock volatility
Investing

Here Are My Top 4 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

Long-term investors can take advantage of near-term headwinds to buy these four stocks on the dip.

Read more »

Plant growing through of trunk of tree stump
Investing

This Growth Stock Has Market-Beating Potential

Here's one top growth stock that could beat the market over long periods of time Canadian investors should consider right…

Read more »