DIVERSIFICATION OUT OF FINANCIAL MARKETS
When talking about balance, it is important to remember the principle that true diversification is best achieved with uncorrelated assets. In this regard crypto has a similar value proposition to precious metal bullion, with some of its own unique properties.
Cryptocurrency has demonstrated, throughout its relatively short existence, to have a limited correlation with established financial or property markets. In many ways this makes sense as the entire premise of crypto involves creating decentralised value outside of existing frameworks, Whilst timing will always remain unclear, another financial crisis in the future is inevitable. In that case, if you are trying to protect yourself against a failure of the financial system, then, of course, owning assets outside of that system makes the most sense. For example, during 2020 as the Coronavirus crisis unfolded and the central bank's printed record amounts of cash, Bitcoin ended the year up 350%.
DECENTRALISATION
As crypto is managed by the network and not one central authority, it is open to everyone. There are approximately 1.7 billion individuals with access to the Internet or mobile phones who don't currently have access to traditional banking systems. Banking is just the first of many possible use cases for blockchain-based technology.
SETTLEMENT EFFICIENCY
In most of today's business dealings, brokers, agents, and legal representatives can add significant complication and expense to transactions. There's paperwork, fees, special conditions and other obstacles that make the process less efficient. Crypto overcomes this with algorithmic certainty, greater accountability and transparency.
LOWER FEES
Compared to regular bank and credit card transactions, crypto offers similar services at a fraction of the cost. By eliminating “the middle man” from the process, crypto networks can facilitate exchanges with significantly lower fees.
CONTROL
Once a crypto transfer has been authorised, it can't be reversed as in the case of "chargeback" transactions allowed by credit card companies. Credit cards operate on a "pull" basis, where the store initiates the payment and pulls the designated amount from your account. Crypto uses a "push" mechanism that allows the owner to send exactly what they want to the merchant or recipient with no further information.
SECURITY AND PRIVACY
Cryptography secures the records in a blockchain using algorithms and distributed nodes to deliver one of the most secure digital capabilities ever created. In addition, crypto transactions are discreet. Unless a user voluntarily publishes their details, records are never associated with a personal identity, much like cash-only purchases.
NO COUNTERPARTY RISK
With crypto, you own the private key and the corresponding public key that makes up your wallet address. No one can take that away from you. There is no other electronic cash system in which your account isn't owned by someone else. This, as well as a known and fixed supply, protects your personal control in the event of economic instability outside of the financial system.
UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION
Since crypto is not bound by the exchange rates, interest rates, or other charges of specific countries, it can be easily used internationally for business and travel.
SMART CONTRACTS
Smart contracts built upon the foundation of the blockchain present an exciting opportunity for the future as computer protocols replace legacy systems with digitally facilitated, verified and enforced contracts and applications.