The Bitcoin Halving Is Done. 2 Cryptocurrencies to Buy Now.

The highly anticipated Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) halving has come and gone without the fireworks some expected. Prices have remained virtually unchanged since April 19, 2024, but don’t let that fool you. The long-term effects of a Bitcoin halving are well documented and often lead to significant price increases in the following months, but this increase is never immediate.

The crypto market is still full of opportunities, especially due to the approval of Bitcoin spot price ETFs in January and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) spot ETFs coming this summer. The launch of the ETF and the Bitcoin halving are expected to bring bullish effects to the crypto sector in general.

Here are two cryptocurrencies that should be on your radar right now. There will be a slow burn until it suddenly goes out. I’m not trying to rush you, but just to make sure you’re not left empty-handed when the real price increase begins. The exact timing is yet to be determined and I would rather be early than late for the launch.

Classic Bitcoin game

You can’t go wrong with a classic. The leader of cryptocurrencies realized its fourth halving by reducing the block reward from 6.25 to 3,125 digital currencies. The lower coin creation rate also reduces Bitcoin’s effective inflation rate, which currently stands at a conservative 0.85%. By comparison, mining and recycling rates for physical gold result in supply-side inflation of 3.1% per year for the traditional store of value leader.

Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood sees tons of value in Bitcoin inflation falling below gold, as institutional investors should now approach the biggest crypto name as a long-term value investment.

Historically, Bitcoin halvings have led to significant price increases, even if the effects are not immediate. Think of it like planting a seed. The fruits may not be visible yet, but they are growing beneath the surface.

Current chart patterns indicate that Bitcoin will likely rise over the next 12 to 18 months. I must admit that this analysis is close to a low-quality technical analysis, but it is also based on real and dramatic changes in the economic model of Bitcoin mining. The dataset of historical reactions is so small because this is only the fourth four-year halving cycle in Bitcoin history. Some unique developments in the market environment are also muddying the waters of market reaction. Therefore, it is difficult to say exactly how far this increase will go. However, the upside of Bitcoin’s upcoming price chart is quite clear.

As more investors gain assets through spot ETFs, Bitcoin remains a solid choice for beginners and experienced crypto enthusiasts alike.

The story continues

Polkadot: The Web3 revolution is coming

Web3 Foundation’s official blockchain network and cryptocurrency has had a bumpy ride in 2024. Polkadot (CRYPTO:DOT) prices are flying, fading and rising as investors await the Web3 revolution. Currently, Polkadot’s price is 87% below its 2021 all-time highs and down 39% after a brief rally in March.

But here’s the thing about Polkadot: It’s a project with big goals. The ability to help different blockchains work together seamlessly could be a game changer. Polkadot will be the digital unifier that holds the Web3 architecture together, making the most of the unique strengths of each blockchain system within a single application writing framework.

The current price decline presents a potential buying opportunity for investors who believe in the transformative power of Web3. The Polkadot token could see significant gains as the ecosystem matures and adoption increases.

While you wait, don’t forget to stake your Polkadot tokens. Similar to interest on a savings account or dividends from a stock, the annual return percentage changes over time but currently sits at 12.3% in my Coinbase account. Not too shabby, right?

Luck favors the prepared

The crypto market may seem quiet after the halving, but there is a lot of movement under the surface. Bitcoin offers stability and proven post-halving growth, Polkadot offers a bet on future technology, and both are poised for strong price increases over the next year or two.

Keep these cryptos on your watchlist and don’t be afraid to invest your money in these newfangled digital assets. Remember, no one knows exactly when they will rise again like they did four years ago.

Should you invest $1,000 in Polkadot right now?

Before buying stock in Polkadot, consider:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Polkadot wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could deliver monster returns in the coming years.

Consider that Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you had invested $1,000 on the date we recommended, you would have had $671,728!*

Stock Advisor offers investors an easy-to-follow success plan, including guidance on portfolio construction, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of the S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of May 28, 2024

Anders Bylund has positions in Bitcoin, Coinbase Global, Ethereum, and Polkadot. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Coinbase Global, and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Bitcoin Halving Happened. 2 Cryptocurrencies Available to Buy Now. originally published by The Motley Fool