Crypto: Yay Or Nay?
Photo by Art Rachen on Unsplash
Remember when buying Bitcoin once promised to replace banks, retire us by 30, and let us buy Lamborghinis with cartoon dog money? Fast forward to 2025, and while most of us are still driving used Toyotas and are way past 30 (speaking for myself anyways), crypto is still hanging around. But is it still worth the hype it once had?
Crypto is a little like your neighborhood cat—no one’s really sure who owns it, it often disappears for weeks, but always seems to come back when something’s cooking.
While crypto hasn’t totally disappeared, it hasn’t taken over the world either. You still can’t pay your rent in Dogecoin, and your bank probably isn’t accepting Ethereum just yet.
But crypto is still around. And it has made a recent move back into the semi-spotlight. So let’s talk about what that actually means now, and whether it deserves a spot in your financial life.
What does crypto look like today?
The world of cryptocurrency has matured—sort of. It’s still unpredictable, but it’s no longer just about overnight millionaires or digital collectibles.
Bitcoin is still the biggest name, often treated like digital gold.
Ethereum is more than just a coin—its platform runs smart contracts, which power things like decentralized apps. Raise your hand if you know what the heck that sentence means.
Stablecoins are designed to hold steady value and are used for trading or saving in a less volatile way.
There’s still a stream of new cryptocurrencies and tokens showing up, though most will probably cease to exist within a year.
Is anyone actually using this stuff?
Crypto isn't just a novelty anymore. Some retailers accept it for payment, and more banks are experimenting with blockchain behind the scenes (blockchain is the technological infrastructure behind crypto). But for most people, crypto isn't exactly a common way to buy groceries or pay bills.
Countries are starting to explore their own digital currencies, and blockchain is being tested for things like tracking supply chains and contracts. So, it’s evolving, even if it’s not quite mainstream.
How today’s economy is shaking up crypto
Without getting into the economic drama we’re all already living, let’s talk about how the current climate is affecting crypto. The kind of uncertainty we are feeling usually makes investors a little jumpy—and when they’re jumpy, markets (including crypto) bounce around like my 7-year-old on Halloween night.
Despite all this, Bitcoin has actually been on a bit of a hot streak lately. In fact, it's currently just below all-time highs. It has recently done better than the stock market and even better than gold, which usually gets all the attention when people are worried about the economy.
Why the comeback? One reason is because a lot of big-money investors (we’re talking banks and giant funds) have been dipping their toes into crypto. A couple of U.S. states are even starting to hold some crypto themselves—kind of like a savings account, but with more risk and way more headlines. Another reason is that the federal regulatory environment is improving for crypto.
Basically, the economy is uncertain, and that’s making crypto look appealing to some people again. But it’s also what makes crypto unpredictable. Prices can swing a lot, and what’s hot one month might cool off the next.
So is it worth investing in?
Here’s where things get more personal. Crypto still has potential for growth, but the risks are real. Big surprise there eh?
The Upsides:
You can diversify your investments beyond just stocks, bonds, and cash.
If you believe in the technology, you might want direct economic exposure to it.
Some coins may have long-term staying power, especially the well-established ones.
The Downsides:
Prices can change quickly—sometimes swinging wildly in a single day.
Scams and security risks are out there.
Regulation is changing fast, which can affect how crypto is bought, sold, and taxed.
What's my take, you ask?
Well, color me skeptical. I have a hard time thinking something that doesn't produce anything will be a good long-term investment. I may be old-fashioned in this way, but I'd rather invest in real companies via the stock market. In entities that have real products and real profits. But I also fully recognize that I could be wrong about crypto's future prospects. After all, just because an investment doesn't produce anything doesn't mean it can't go up in value (I'm looking at you, gold).
A handful of my clients have exposure to crypto. Heck, even I (the skeptic) have a small allocation. But we're doing it in a controlled manner. That is, we aren't investing money in crypto that we can’t afford to lose.
And I think that's the way to go. If you want to invest, that's fine. But do it in a measured way, being okay with losing that money.
I think of it as being part of someone's "Play Money" allocation. Aka, a small slice of your portfolio that you can invest more aggressively, but that you're willing to lose. Basically, it's money set aside for investing that is not crucial for one's financial stability and health; it's okay if there aren't good returns or if it's lost. And hey if it goes well, everybody loves a little extra money they weren't already counting on.
If you do want to invest, do it safely
If you’re interested in trying crypto, beware of scams and less reputable avenues. Here are a few tips on how to do it safely:
Use trusted, regulated platforms to buy and store your crypto.
Start small. Don't dive in all at once.
Consider safer options like Bitcoin or Ethereum over high-risk, trendy tokens.
Consider what I think is the simplest and safest way to invest in this area, which is via ETFs (exchange-traded funds) of Bitcoin and Ethereum. You can buy these in any standard brokerage account.
In summary
Cryptocurrency in 2025 isn’t a shortcut to wealth (what is?). It's not dead, but it's definitely older (you could say the same about me). And it isn’t a lost cause either (let's hope you can say the same thing about me). It’s a developing technology that’s finding its place in the world, slowly and unpredictably. Kinda cute if you think about it.
If you’re curious, it’s okay to explore—as long as you stay smart about it and limit your investment.