Have Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies Become Safe Havens? Analyst Evaluates

Moneta’s Chief Global Market Strategist and Senior Investment Advisor, Aoifinn Devitt, has challenged the notion that cryptocurrencies are a safe haven asset.

Speaking about the recent market downturn, Devitt explained that crypto remains a “risk-on” asset rather than a stable hedge against market volatility.

Ethereum fell a sharp 27% on Sunday, reigniting debate over whether digital assets can serve as a safe haven during financial turmoil.

Devitt rejected the idea, saying: “I never called it that. I'm not sure who holds that position as an advisor.

“We don’t yet have enough information about this asset class from a 360-degree perspective to determine how it would perform in the event of a market crash.”

Devitt noted the uncertainty around how cryptocurrencies will respond to fundamental economic factors like interest rates and inflation, adding that crypto acts as an extremely “risky” asset and requires a high tolerance for volatility.

While some proponents have dubbed Bitcoin “digital gold,” Devitt remained skeptical about its status as a safe haven. “It may be on par with gold in terms of acting as a hedge in a portfolio, but only as a hedge against fiat,” he explained.

He also noted that despite Bitcoin’s appeal as an alternative to traditional money, demand for fiat currencies, especially the U.S. dollar, remains strong. “There doesn’t seem to be much of an appetite for fiat currencies right now,” he added.

Speaking about the volatility in the crypto market, Devitt acknowledged that Bitcoin, while affected by declines, tends to be more stable than other digital assets like Ethereum.

“Bitcoin is definitely seen as the first cryptocurrency. If you want to take a little bit of risk with less volatility, Bitcoin could be a good place to start,” he said.

With the emergence of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Devitt noted that the asset class has become more mainstream and liquid.

However, he made it clear that this does not mean safety. “We are not in a safe haven area, but we are in a more accessible market,” he said. “It is a relatively calm place, but it is by no means a safe haven.”

*This is not investment advice.