Cryptocurrency has become a popular option for investing. The crypto market is known for its volatility but has captured the attention of investors looking for new ways to profit in their portfolios. First-time investors commonly need guidance on crypto matters, such as choosing a coin or calculating taxes on crypto trading proceeds.
Key Takeaways
- Investors view crypto assets like Bitcoin as an investment vehicle and seek advice on investing in the market.
- Financial advice from internet searches can be misleading.
- Crypto coin hype commonly causes investors to fear they might miss out.
- Professional crypto financial advisors can help guide first-time investors.
Why Crypto Advice Is Useful
Crypto-centric communities on major social media platforms are plentiful, with many sharing advice on various topics. Some tokens will do well, while others will be average performers. Unfortunately, as crypto innovations are created, scammers find new methods to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
Consulting a cryptocurrency advisor before investing in a cryptocurrency can help investors make decisions with less risk of being scammed. They are informed about crypto laws and regulations. A crypto financial advisor will bring a professional outlook on the crypto industry, help build a lower-risk crypto portfolio, track crypto trading activities, and prepare taxes effectively.
Certified Advisors
A certified crypto financial advisor can help investors create and manage a portfolio that includes cryptocurrency. They may hold a Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets (CBDA) or a Certified Digital Asset Advisor (CDAA) credential issued by businesses and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
A crypto financial advisor may hold blockchain or digital assets certification. These certificates should not replace the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) certificates but should be held in tandem.
Education Platforms
- Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange offering a platform for users to buy and sell crypto coins. The platform has educational content on blockchain, cryptocurrencies, security, and NFTs using how-to guides, trading tutorials, a comprehensive glossary, and various articles.
- Coinbase Learn comes from one of the most-used crypto exchanges globally. In addition to providing financial services for crypto transactions, Coinbase offers educational content to help crypto users navigate the crypto space.
- Investopedia (this financial content producer) has extensive cryptocurrency coverage, including expert reviews of popular crypto coins and exchanges, beginner guides, a comprehensive collection of terms used in crypto, and news on the latest in the crypto market, among other financial information, definitions, and articles.
Role of Influencers
Many crypto experts include blockchain developers, crypto influencers, and crypto investors. These experts share information on innovations in different blockchains and highlight cryptocurrencies in which they’re heavily invested. Their expertise is shared for informational purposes through social media and is not meant to provide financial advice for individual investors.
- Vitalik Buterin is a Canadian programmer who co-founded the Ethereum blockchain and Bitcoin Magazine. Buterin is an active voice on social media, especially on X, with over 5 million followers as of January 2024. He shares updates about Ethereum, blockchain information, and personal insights on crypto topics.
- Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a Bitcoin advocate, tech entrepreneur, author, and popular podcaster. He hosts the “Speaking of Bitcoin” podcast and discusses how Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are being adopted globally. He has a blockchain education platform and posts to over 750,000 followers as of January 2024.
- Dr. Gavin Wood was one of the Ethereum founders. He has written several books about blockchain and cryptocurrency. He is a programmer and data scientist and founded Polkadot and Parity Technologies. He has an active X profile with nearly 400,000 followers as of January 2024.
Advice to Avoid
- Family and friends who are not directly active as crypto advisors or experts may have limited advice to offer.
- Online communities like Quora and Reddit are forums for discussion and sharing experiences but should not be considered a valued source for personal financial advice.
- Social media platforms that host communities of non-fungible token (NFT) collectors, creators, or crypto enthusiasts are full of members offering "lucrative opportunities," which are unproven and could be a scam for investors.
CFP Guidelines and SEC Actions
In 2022, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) released guidance about cryptocurrency-related assets to help CFP professionals. The Notice to CFP Professionals Regarding Financial Advice About Cryptocurrency-Related Assets was developed in response to questions about financial advice on cryptocurrencies and crypto-related assets.
The CFP Board recommends professionals follow regulatory guidance when giving financial advice about crypto-related assets since both the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Financial Industrial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) see potential risks when investing in crypto-related assets. In March 2022, the DOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published compliance assistance, warning 401k plan fiduciaries against cryptocurrency investments.
Investors can add cryptocurrencies to their portfolio by investing in crypto directly or through an investment vehicle like an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
In Jan. 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first spot market bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) listed on the NYSE Arca, Cboe BZX, and Nasdaq exchanges. While investors have already gained exposure to crypto through mutual funds, national securities exchanges, peer-to-peer payment apps, and non-compliant crypto trading platforms, the SEC actions will include protections for investors such as full, fair, and truthful disclosure about the products, public registration, and filing.
Where Can Investors Locate a Crypto Financial Advisor?
Investors can ask the advice of another personal financial advisor or browse the internet and explore credible websites like The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).
How Do Investors Verify the Credentials of a Crypto Financial Advisor?
An advisor’s credentials can be verified by checking their records with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards, and other membership organizations with which the advisor is associated.
What Questions Should Investors Ask a Crypto Financial Advisor?
Investors can ask a financial advisor if they think cryptocurrencies are a good financial asset, how to invest in crypto, and if the advisor holds any crypto investments.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a qualified crypto financial advisor can help investors manage many matters that arise from investing in a new asset. The advisor can help choose investments, manage crypto taxes effectively, and provide financial planning advice.
The comments, opinions, and analyses expressed on Investopedia are for informational purposes only. Read ourwarranty and liability disclaimerfor more info. As of the date this article was written, the author does not own cryptocurrency.
