Bitcoin has experienced a rocky month amid reports of tougher regulation leading to a mini market crash.
Imran Wasim, a financial analyst at AMSYS Group, told News BTC he was far from downbeat, predicting cryptocurrency will become “more mainstream” in 2018.
He added: “It has dropped in price, this is good.
“A lot more money is going to come into bitcoin, bitcoin will go up around $30,000-$35,000 this year – next couple of years? $100,000.”
hile revealing he had “no idea” when the price could shoot up, Mr Wasim added: “It is going to happen, because of its a store of value.”
Oliver von Landsberg-Sadie, the founder of cryptocurrency brokerage BitcoinBro, said bitcoin is simply experiencing “growing pains” as the marketplace matures.
On Thursday, bitcoin fell below the symbolic $10,000 mark, shedding $975 of its worth as concern over tether – a unique digital coin bought and valued like-for-like with the US dollar – manipulation and negative noises coming from India, sending the price south.
Mr Landsberg-Sadie said: “I think we’re seeing growing pains.
You refereed to regulatory setbacks but I think these are regulatory steps forward.
“South Korea’s stance on making sure that the exchanges know who they’re dealing with is a very positive step.
“But it did have a hit on bitcoin.”
He said the regulation of bitcoin and its changing price was a sign of the market “growing up”.
Mr Landsberg-Sadie added: “I think the regulatory environment is one of few factors contributing to this correction, which I see as a very healthy correction.
“It’s a sign of the market growing up and it’s recognising that cryptocurrencies are not a tool for money laundering or illicit use.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction.
“I think they’re the right kind of change we need to the money system but it needs to be done right.”
Bitcoin fell 8.78 percent to $9,273.82 at 14:16 in London, according to CoinDesk.com.