I tried two ways to invest in Bitcoin: one successful, one disastrous, giving me valuable lessons

(Business Insider) The author invested in Bitcoin in two ways six months ago, resulting in one rise and one fall, providing a practical reference for novice Bitcoin investors on strategy selection. (Background: Several high-ranking Iranian officials dead! Initiated 'unlimited' retaliation against Israel, dispatched drone combat groups) (Background Information: Israeli Prime Minister: We struck the 'Iranian nuclear weapons program' bombing major uranium enrichment facilities, Bitcoin plummeted) Bitcoin strongly rebounded from a low of $49,000 in August 2024, and with Trump's return to the White House boosting it, broke through $100,000 in December. (Business Insider) Author Christine Ji shared today (15th) her two choices for investing in Bitcoin last December. Both were optimistic about Bitcoin, but the results were vastly different, which may provide you with some investment reference. During my first attempt at Bitcoin investment, I bought a share of BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). Later, I added a share of Semler Scientific (SMLR), a medical technology company that holds Bitcoin on its balance sheet. I wanted to try multiple methods of investing in Bitcoin. Spot ETF: The most direct way without having to touch a cold wallet IBIT tracks Bitcoin spot prices one-to-one through physical holdings, with a management fee of 0.25%, and is regulated by the US SEC. Reports from Nasdaq indicate that IBIT's asset scale has surpassed $70 billion, setting the fastest growth rate in ETF history, attracting both institutional and retail investors. Expert Robert Cannon pointed out: 'The spot Bitcoin ETF is currently the cleanest and most convenient way to gain exposure to Bitcoin, especially suitable for investors newly encountering cryptocurrencies.' Over the past six months, IBIT rose by 14%, slightly beating Bitcoin itself at 12%, and significantly outpacing the S&P 500 at 2%. For investors who only want to participate in price movements without wanting to manage private keys themselves, Christine believes this is a good entry point. Bitcoin rises, but SMLR falls On the other hand, the medical equipment company SMLR lists Bitcoin as a treasury asset, theoretically, the stock price should resonate with the currency price. However, reality reminds investors that companies holding Bitcoin also bear additional operational and regulatory risks. The Justice Department is investigating SMLR's medical marketing practices, leading to a 40% evaporation of its stock price within six months. An analysis from Cointelegraph bluntly states that companies putting Bitcoin on their balance sheets amplify operational, reputational, and leverage variables, but not every company can withstand shocks like Strategy Inc. or Tesla. Three questions to decide which path to choose? Through Christine's experience, when you want to invest in Bitcoin, you might consider these three questions: 1. Purpose: Do you just want to follow the currency price fluctuations or also bet on the company's transformation? 2. Cost: IBIT's annual management fee is 0.25%, while self-custody avoids annual fees but incurs additional security expenses and requires more knowledge; if buying into a Bitcoin-holding company, you need to evaluate the company's leverage and dilution risks. 3. Risk: The high volatility of Bitcoin is already stimulating enough; if coupled with uncertainties of company operations, investors need to withstand a double hit. InvestorDaily believes that a lack of reserve proof or excessive convertible bond expansion could trigger chain selling pressure in a bear market. Related Reports Breaking News) Israel airstrikes Iran: the whole country enters a state of emergency, Bitcoin falls below $104,000, oil prices soar… Iran expresses support for a unified currency among BRICS countries, Trump warns: dare to de-dollarize and impose 100% tariffs Trump responds to Iran's missile attack: Israel should retaliate 'by first bombing nuclear facilities'; major war potential time revealed 'I tried two ways to invest in Bitcoin: one successful, one disastrous, giving me valuable lessons' This article was first published by BlockTempo (BlockTempo - the most influential blockchain news media).