<p>2018 was for BTC strength test. The aggravation of the 2017 bull trend, gave way to negativity and apathy, and market sentiment around the cryptocurrency is less rosy than ever.</p>
<p><span>Now BTC has a huge potential. The king of cryptocurrencies has attracted the attention of the world's largest financial institutions, and now instead of the past indifference one can find a lively interest. Despite the prevailing sense of negativity, at the end of 2018 - 2019 events are expected that could trigger a new rally. BTC infrastructure upgrades occur at a frantic pace that was not previously observed. This wave will cover everything that came before it.</span></p>
<p>The main event will be the Bakkt platform connected to the Intercontinental exchange, as well as Microsoft and Starbucks. This unique product will make access to BTC easier for all types of investors. The launch was supposed to be in November 2018, but it was postponed to January 29, 2019.</p>
<p>Secondly, the financial monsters Morgan Stanley and Citigroup aroused great interest. Both run futures and derivatives on BTC. It is believed that such a move is able to ensure the stability of a highly volatile asset class. In turn, this will make investments in BTC more attractive for investors who are considering stable growth of assets in the medium and long term.</p>
<p>Third, Goldman Sachs plans to enter the market as a marketplace. These three events, combined with such world names, will undoubtedly inspire confidence in other institutions and make you understand that BTC will not disappear from the face of the earth.</p>
<p>Fourth, projects on the implementation of a new crypto ETF format, proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, gained hope for development only after the appointment of Elad Roisman as the Commissioner.</p>
<p>Fifth, moving away from the financial interest of BTC, technical discoveries continue to develop. The Lightning network continues to open new channels that allow BTC to process a much larger number of transactions. By the time the next uptrend begins, updates have the prospect of being ready.</p>
<p>BTC reached last year's record level, even without many upcoming events that will happen soon. All of these events, or any of them, can be a catalyst for raising prices for cryptocurrencies. As soon as the locomotive starts the engine, and the train starts moving, a huge number of people covered with great interest will be subjected to destructive charisma and the potential of BTC.</p>
<p>In addition to cryptocurrency in 2019, we need to consider asset classes such as cash and its legal protection, as well as fixed-income instruments. An alternative could be gold. Global foreboding of the oncoming storm does not leave everyone. It is necessary to listen to him and hedge their positions in order to purchase something worthwhile at the new minimum values.</p>
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<p><strong>Eldiyar Muratov&nbsp; for <a href="https://forbes.kz/finances/exchange/what_awaits_bitcoin_in_2019/">Forbes</a></strong></p>