Steps to Surviving the Bitcoin Bear Market

Bitcoin’s fall from the December 2017 high of $20,000 to the current $6,000 level has been a painful one. Every time it looks like a recovery is on the way, the price falls again and the battle at 6k resumes. Some commentators say that the BTC bear to bull switch is near, predicting a rise to all-time highs, and in some cases, extreme highs, dwarfing 20k. Others say there’s more downside to come and the possibility of a lengthy period at lower prices, with some believing a fall to pre-bull market levels could occur. The truth is, no-one knows for sure. So what do you do? How do you survive the Bitcoin bear market?

​While there are no easy answers, here are four steps that I believe will help to point you in the right direction.

1. Evaluate your personal financial situation.
If you have invested in Bitcoin only what you can afford to lose, then you are in a powerful situation. If so, you can hold your Bitcoin at least until, if history repeats itself, the price rises to a new high. On the other hand, if you cannot afford to lose all or some of what you've put into Bitcoin, then you have some decisions to make. How long you can survive with the price at current levels? What would the consequences be if the price fell further? Once you've carefully considered these things, proceed accordingly to secure your finances. Don't leave it to chance or the whims of the market.

2. Update your knowledge about Bitcoin, its history, use cases and supporting technologies. 
If you're fairly new to Bitcoin and have never endured a bear market before, then it's time to do some research. Take a look back at the price journey of Bitcoin since it was first traded in 2010 (in 2009 it didn't have a price). Watch videos and read articles by those who have endured BTC crashes and bear markets, gleaning knowledge and tactics from their triumphs and tragedies. Learn about the development of hardware wallets, the lightning network, second layer security solutions, exchanges, and companies and counties investing in Bitcoin. All of this will help to build a foundation of confidence in the long term future of BTC that is based on knowledge. This might just be what gives you the courage to hold when you're tempted to sell.

3. Analyze what you believe about the long term future of Bitcoin. 
Once you have increased your knowledge in the areas discussed in Step 2, it's time to have an honest look at what you really think about Bitcoin. Do you believe that BTC is a strong technology that the world desperately needs and that it's here to stay? If not, you'll find it far more difficult not to sell during the bear market. This is because deep down, you may not have the confidence that Bitcoin will survive, let alone return to the previous high and beyond. Alternatively, if you're convinced that Bitcoin is here to stay and that adoption and supporting technologies will continue to grow, you will be able to hold for the future.

4. Devise a plan for your Bitcoin investing going forward.
This final step is vital, as it's easy to make snap decisions during a sudden market move, unless you have thought things through beforehand. Never panic buy, never panic sell and never invest what you can't afford to lose are my rules of thumb. Decide if you're going to continue investing in Bitcoin while the price is down. If you are, then determine how much and what your investment strategy will be. You could put in all of your allocated funds now, at an anticipated price point in the future, or dollar cost average a certain amount at specific intervals over time. Each option comes with its own potential risks and rewards, depending on price movements. The upside is that no matter how you invest, if it's preplanned, you are less likely to make rash decisions or to risk money that will devastate you financially if it's lost. Hold on long enough and you might just join those who held throughout the last bear market. They survived to see an all time high beyond their wildest dreams.

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