Cathie Wood, the founder of Ark Invest, has a strong belief in the potential of Bitcoin (BTC). In January, she launched Ark’s first spot price Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) once it received approval from regulators. Wood has also raised her price target for Bitcoin from $1 million to $1.5 million by 2027, representing a 2,139% increase from its current price of around $67,000.
Wood’s optimistic outlook for Bitcoin is based on three potential drivers: the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, institutional buying of these ETFs, and the upcoming halving of Bitcoin’s rewards for mining. However, it’s worth noting that Wood has a history of making overly bullish predictions and not always delivering on them. For example, her flagship Ark Innovation ETF has only seen a 13% increase in the past five years, while the S&P 500 has rallied 88%.
Despite this, it’s still worth considering Wood’s bullish thesis for Bitcoin and whether it’s a worthwhile investment. The bulls believe that Bitcoin will eventually become a hedge against long-term inflation, similar to gold and other precious metals. They expect that the depreciation of fiat currencies will drive more governments, businesses, and investors to adopt the cryptocurrency.
Until recently, there were limited ways to invest in Bitcoin, including direct purchases on crypto exchanges like Coinbase, trusts like Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, or ETFs linked to Bitcoin futures. However, these methods had their limitations and drawbacks, such as high fees and regulatory concerns. The recent approval of spot price Bitcoin ETFs has resolved these issues, as they charge lower fees, directly track Bitcoin’s spot price, and can be easily traded on the open market.
Wood believes that the availability of these new ETFs will drive institutional investors to buy more Bitcoin. She has previously stated that if institutional investors allocate an average of 5% of their portfolios to Bitcoin, it could increase its price by $500,000. In addition, Bitcoin’s upcoming halving in April could also contribute to its price growth as market demand outstrips its slowing supply growth.
Furthermore, persistent inflation and geopolitical conflicts could lead to more countries adopting Bitcoin as a mainstream currency, solidifying its position as a reliable and safe asset like gold and silver.
While Wood’s prediction of Bitcoin reaching $1.5 million may seem far-fetched, she is not alone in her bullish view. Other institutions, such as Standard Chartered and Fidelity, have also made bold predictions for Bitcoin’s future price. While it’s impossible to say if these predictions will come true, the approval of spot price Bitcoin ETFs could provide a strong foundation for Bitcoin’s volatile price.
Instead of focusing on the possibility of a 2,000% gain in just three years, investors should consider the overall bullish argument for Bitcoin and whether it aligns with their investment strategy. If so, they may want to consider investing in Bitcoin directly or through a low-fee spot price ETF as a long-term growth opportunity.
However, it’s important to note that investing in Bitcoin, like any other asset, comes with risks and investors should conduct their own research and make informed decisions. It’s always wise to consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
