The Financial System In Wartime: How Crypto Makes A Difference

Wealth Stabilization By Investing in Alternatives With Crypto

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over $56 million in cryptocurrencies has been sent to the beleaguered country in the form of donations. The surge in donations is due to the fact that cryptocurrencies can be sent anonymously and quickly, without the need for a bank or other financial institution.

This is just one example of how the financial system is changing in the face of war. With the accessibility of crypto, people are able to send and receive money without the need for traditional banking channels. This is particularly beneficial in war-torn countries, where banking infrastructure is often destroyed or disrupted.

Cryptocurrencies also offer a degree of security that is not present in traditional banking. When sending money via a bank, there is always the risk that the funds will be frozen or seized by a government. With crypto, there is no such risk, as the funds are stored on a decentralized network.

A Double-Edged Sword

The decentralization of crypto, however, is a double-edged sword, with the New York Times reporting that cryptocurrency could be exploited by Russia to avoid sanctions. Even prior to Russia’s invasion, the US government had concerns that cryptocurrencies could dull the impact of sanctions, with nations like Iran using Bitcoin mining to bypass trade embargoes.

Russia is also developing a digital ruble, potentially enabling the nation to avoid sanctions by simply decoupling its currency from the US dollar.

Not only that, but crypto has been used to fund pro-Russian separatist groups in Ukraine. The groups can use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to buy weapons and supplies, as well as to pay fighters.

Moreover, Russia has ties to crypto-related cybercrimes, such as ransomware that demands crypto payment, with many ransomware payments going to Russian wallets. These cybercriminals often have ties to the Russian government, making it difficult to trace and punish them.

While crypto offers many benefits, it is clear that it can also be used to fund illegal activity and skirt international sanctions. As the world becomes increasingly digitized, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and rewards of crypto.

In short, this is “the world’s first crypto war,” as described in a Washington Post article. As more countries become involved in the conflict, we are likely to see even more use of cryptocurrencies as a way to circumvent financial restrictions.

Fiat Suffers

The war in Ukraine has already begun to have an impact on the world of cryptocurrency, with BTC-Hryvnia trade seeing a 6% premium due to the instability in the country.

This is just one example of how cryptocurrencies can be used to hedge against geopolitical risk. As fiat currencies come under pressure from international conflict, investors are turning to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a safe haven.

Both the Russian and Ukrainian currencies have been hit hard by the conflict, with the Russian ruble falling to a record low against the US dollar. The Ukrainian hryvnia, meanwhile, has seen more than a 7-year low.

This has led to increased demand for BTC-Hryvnia trades, as investors seek to protect their assets from fiat currency volatility. That said, crypto is, of course, still notoriously volatile, so moving into assets like real estate would be a more stable way to protect wealth in the long term. 

Noyack Logistics’ Income REIT recent move to allow crypto funds to be used to purchase real estate is a great step in this direction.

Wealth Stabilization By Investing in Alternatives With Crypto

The current global financial system is based on fiat currency, which is subject to volatility and manipulation. This has led to a search for alternatives, with many people turning to cryptocurrencies as a way to stabilize their wealth.

When comparing cryptocurrency returns to a standard market index, it’s clear that the historical performance of the likes of Bitcoin has been nothing short of exceptional.

Beyond wild price gains, we’ve also seen the greater acceptance of cryptocurrencies as payment methods and storehouses of value. Many institutional investors have started to invest in cryptocurrencies, which has helped to legitimize the asset class. More recently, it’s even been used as a safe harbor asset amidst the Ukraine crisis.

However, some crypto investors end up overexposed and under diversified. This often leads to large losses when the market corrects.

A good way to mitigate this risk is to invest that crypto in another area, such as real estate, which benefits from inflation and behavioral biases.

This is because, as the cost of living increases, the price of real estate generally rises as well. This means that investors who own real estate are able to maintain their purchasing power, even as the cost of goods and services goes up. Further, people tend to have a strong emotional attachment to their homes. This behavioral bias can lead to higher prices and increased demand for real estate.

Investing in real estate with cryptocurrency can help you to take advantage of these trends while diversifying your portfolio.

One company that is leading the way in this regard is Noyack Logistics Income, which has become the first REIT to accept cryptocurrency. The company has partnered with BitPay to allow investors to use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to buy shares.

This is a significant development, as it shows that institutional investors are beginning to see the value of crypto. With more and more companies accepting cryptocurrency, we are likely to see even more investment in the space.

And as confidence in the traditional financial system continues to decline, we are likely to see even more people turning to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a way to protect their wealth.