Rethinking Bitcoin Mining Stocks Post Halving: Exploring the Value of a Bitcoin Miner ETF

Written By Michael Gary Scott

Impacts of the Bitcoin Halving

The past is often prologue in finance, a truth exemplified in the case of Bitcoin mining stocks. In 2023, investors rode a wild upward wave with a lucrative surge in the largest Bitcoin miners like Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. and Riot Platforms Inc. However, the tide turned in 2024. The Bitcoin halving, a key event halving miners’ block rewards, shook the industry landscape. The immediate consequence? Slashed revenues, a significant burden for miners’ top-lines.

The severity of this crunch delineates a Darwinian scenario — only the fittest survive. The “fittest” in this instance refer to miners wielding robust rigs, streamlined costs, and minimal debts. Consequently, behemoths like Marathon Digital and Riot Platforms find themselves struggling. Whether from excessive debts or bloated expenses, their profit streams have halved, mirroring their stocks’ dip of up to 20%.

Diversification with Bitcoin Miner ETFs

If navigating the volatile Bitcoin mining stock market feels akin to a high-wire act, consider an alternate route — Bitcoin miner ETFs. Rather than hitching your wagon to a specific stock, ETFs offer spread-out exposure across the industry spectrum. The Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF stands as a prime example with over 20 holdings, blending miner majors with critical tech suppliers. By diversifying your risk, you entrust the heavy lifting to ETF managers, avoiding a potential stock market tumble.

In 2023, the Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF outshone others with a stellar 235% upswing, capturing the soaring market sentiment then. However, the outlook for 2024 isn’t as radiant. As the industry giants stumble, ETFs are likely to be collateral damage — with the Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF recording a 7% downturn.

Though ETFs carry hidden gems amid their holdings, such as stakes in Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Nvidia Corp., they offer a prudent shield against Bitcoin mining’s volatile winds.

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Trade-offs in ETF Investments

The dynamics of ETF investing involve a delicate balance — sacrificing some potential gains during bullish cycles for diversified stability. While ETFs promise a mix of winners and laggards, the risk-reward scale tips to your preference. It’s a game of calculated risks versus bonanza potential, a dance investors must navigate intelligently.

Gold ETF logo and laptop.

Image source: Getty Images.

Given the cyclicality and unpredictability of the Bitcoin market, adopting a “set it and forget it” stance for Bitcoin miners may prove perilous. With halvings every four years, new winners and losers emerge cyclically. For risk-averse investors, the ETF route presents a safety net amidst this swirling sea of uncertainty.

The Verdict on Investing in the Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF

Before diving headfirst into Valkyrie ETF Trust II – Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF, weigh this: The esteemed Motley Fool Stock Advisor analysts have unearthed 10 stocks primed to outshine peers, with Valkyrie ETF Trust II – Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF not making the cut. The chosen 10 possess the potential to yield substantial returns, contrasting with the struggles of Valkyrie ETF Trust II – Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF in 2024.

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Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Bitcoin, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.