FX.co ★ Michael Saylor: Bitcoin to trade at $500,000 or even $5 mln in long term.

According to Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), Bitcoin is on its way to replacing gold as the primary store of value. He predicts that in the near future, Bitcoin's price could reach $500,000, and in the long term, even $5 million.

Saylor identifies three key catalysts that could drive this growth:

• Approval of Spot Bitcoin ETFs. This would make it easier for institutional investors to acquire Bitcoin through funds, greatly increasing demand.
• Banks holding Bitcoin and offering loans against it. If banks begin holding Bitcoin and offering loans collateralized by it, this would integrate cryptocurrency into the traditional financial system and increase its appeal to investors.
• Accounting for the fair value of Bitcoin on corporate balance sheets. If companies are able to account for Bitcoin at market value, this could accelerate its adoption in business. Saylor believes this will lead to the emergence of a new class of investors who see Bitcoin as a stable asset.

Saylor also emphasizes that Bitcoin's role as a hedge against inflation is becoming increasingly relevant. He is confident that even without significant changes in regulation or institutional adoption, Bitcoin is already on track to surpass gold.

Furthermore, he noted that the recent Bitcoin purchases by Strategy highlight his confidence in the bright future of cryptocurrency. The company has increased its holdings to 478,740 BTC, after purchasing 7,633 BTC for $742.4 million in the week ending February 9. The latest acquisition was made at an average price of $97,255 per Bitcoin.

Despite the company's recent losses, Saylor is still betting on Bitcoin's long-term potential. Overall, his forecasts and beliefs underline the growing attention towards Bitcoin as an alternative asset amid economic uncertainty and inflation.