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Bitcoin price tops $60,000 for first time since 2021

Discussion Questions

  • What is the phenomenon known as “fear of missing out” (FOMO) and how does it influence Bitcoin’s price?

  • What are spot Bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs) and which asset managers were approved by US regulators to launch them?

  • How much of the total Bitcoin supply is held by the 11 approved Bitcoin funds and what does this indicate about investor interest?

  • What role did Nvidia’s blockbuster results play in the wider rally in traditional financial markets and how did this affect Bitcoin’s price?

  • What were the specific disruptions experienced by Coinbase users during the surge in Bitcoin’s price and what was Coinbase’s response?

  • What criticisms did European Central Bank officials have regarding Bitcoin and what did they predict about its future?

  • What legal challenges have crypto exchanges Binance and FTX faced and what were the outcomes?

Extended learning

Watch this video on Bitcoin and answer the following questions:

  • What was Bitcoin initially considered a hobby for and who has it recently drawn the interest of?

  • How does the blockchain work and what is the role of Bitcoin miners?

  • What are the risks associated with losing your Bitcoin wallet key?

  • Why has Bitcoin not gone mainstream as a currency, according to the video?

  • What should you consider before investing in Bitcoin, according to the video?

Conclusion

  • Based on what you’ve learned about Bitcoin’s price movements, its use as an investment and the technology behind it, what are some important factors to consider before buying Bitcoin?

  • How might these factors influence your decision to invest in Bitcoin?

Joel Miller and James Redelsheimer, Foundation for Economic Education.
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