“Bitcoin (BTC) left behind the phase of the Wild West”, Says Alex Leishman, CEO of River Financial, a specialized investment company in digital assets.
The executive who participated in the event Bitcoin for Corporation It uses the metaphor of the Wild West (Wild West, in Spanish) to describe the first years, between 2009 and 2016, when the currency created by Satoshi Nakamoto was considered a high volatility asset and associated it with the operational risks and criminal activities.
However, Leishman said that the narrative was changing and now Bitcoin crosses the consolidation phase. Therefore, he affirms that the digital asset has entered a period called ‘Here To Stay’ (arrive to stay, in English).
This is because more and more companies are evaluating the incorporation of BTC as a reserve asset in its treasury, while specific metrics are discussed to measure its financial impact and the regulatory framework begins to consolidate
To reinforce his thesis, Leishman exhibited a graphic representation of the Bitcoin adoption path («Bitcoin’s adoption path«) Throughout time:
According to its projection, the next step in Its evolution is to become a global reserve asset. In this regard, Leishman said:
«Companies are not opening accounts in Charles Schwab to buy Apple or Tesla shares. Historically they have had cash -related effective or active. And now, they are buying BTC. That, for me, is the greatest indication that BTC is ceasing to be seen as an investment of technological risk and is beginning to be considered a different asset, a reserve of value ».
Alex Leishman, CEO of River Financial.
The most emblematic case of this trend is Strategy, the firm that leads Michael Saylor, known for its strong BTC investment strategy. Currently, it is the public contribution company with more BTC in its treasury, with 555,540 BTC.
The decision to assign part of its reservations directly to BTC reflects a change in the perception of the asset: It has stopped being a risk asset.
In this regard, Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, points out that BTC has unique characteristics that “can turn it into coverage against risks that traditional assets cannot address, particularly in times of greater geopolitical and economic uncertainty.”
For this reason, he describes it as “a unique diversifying asset.” This is because BTC, having a supply limited to 21 million units, differs from the Fíat money that is devalued by the issuance and monetary policies of the central banks.
Bitcoin is considered by many investors as “Digital Gold”, because it shares some similarities with precious metal. It is a decentralized asset, does not depend on any government or central bank, and is resistant to censorship, which means that no one can block, reverse or prevent transactions in their network.
Even if you are still in its early stages of adoption, for Leishman in 5 years it will be “something normal” to save on BTC. He stated: “BTC goes to traditional savings. Today, people who save in Bitcoin are seen as a bit eccentric. Maybe this has already begun to normalize a little in the last year or two, but in a few years, saving in Bitcoin will simply be normal. People will not even think about it too much. It will BTC ”.
In that sense, he revealed that more than 42% of River’s clients who once bought BTC “have never sold it,” reflecting the economic potential and long term they see in the asset.
In addition, he said: “Companies are accumulating at an unprecedented rate. Today we serve more than 2,000 companies, and that number grew 154% only in the last year. And they are real, small and medium -sized companies, from all over the United States: construction companies, real estate, biotechnology companies, plumbing, farms, restaurants, of everything you can imagine. A very diverse sample. All these owners They are reaching the same conclusion: they want Bitcoin. ”
As cryptootics has reported, more and more consultants are recommending the inclusion of BTC in investment portfolios, a factor that could generate a bull pressure in its price.
Being limited to a maximum of 21 million units, any increase in demand can generate significant upward pressure on its price.
Looking ahead, the CEO of River raises two possible scenarios: in the worst case, Bitcoin is consolidated as a reliable savings tool; in the best, The digital currency manages to position itself as the global reserve asset.