Bitcoin: Investment or Illusion

Bitcoin: Investment or Illusion

Bitcoin: Investment or Illusion

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1.  Should John Brown buy bitcoin or any other digital currency? Why or why not? Should he consider a short position instead? Is bitcoin along-term investment asset or a short-term trade?

2.  Is Bitcoin an asset, a commodity, or currency? Does it matter? How does one buy bitcoins?How are they created?Why were they created in the first place? What are they used for?

3.  How is bitcoin separate from blockchain?

4.  Why has the price of bitcoin increased over 500% in such a short amount of time? What factors may be behind its sharp rise in price? What are potential risks of buying bitcoin at this time?

1.  What is the regulatory response thus far regarding bitcoin? How should Brown factor in potential regulation into his investment thesis?

Product Overview

The case describes a hypothetical hedge fund manager who is examining whether to invest in bitcoin. The case discusses potential risks and rewards of investing in bitcoin, the role of bitcoin and digital currencies more broadly, and financial innovation in the space, such as ICOs. It can be taught as part of a second-year MBA elective course in investments, financial institutions/capital markets, or fintech.

Learning Objectives

To discuss the investment case behind bitcoin – its potential risks and rewards; to discuss the role of bitcoin and digital currencies more broadly; and to discuss the rapid innovation surrounding bitcoin (e.g., “initial coin offerings – ICOs”; bitcoin futures).

Abstract