Are We Still in a Bull Market?
Are We Still in a Bull Market?
152 days ago1000xBlockworks
Podcast1 hr 23 min
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Consider Bitcoin (BTC) as a core long-term holding, viewed as a modern store of wealth and a hedge against currency debasement. For long-term growth in retail finance, Robinhood (HOOD) is presented as a high-conviction investment for the next five years. To invest in the theme of reshoring critical supply chains, the REMX ETF offers targeted exposure to rare earth mineral companies. Following a significant price drop, UnitedHealthcare (UNH) is highlighted as a potential "buy the dip" opportunity for value investors near its 2020 price levels. Be extremely cautious with most altcoins, as the analysis suggests shorting overvalued projects like Aptos (APT) may be a key trade.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • The speakers have a high conviction in Bitcoin, viewing it as having the best risk-reward profile for the current cycle and being one of the only crypto assets that consistently "comes back" after market trends fade.
  • It is described as "Gen Z gold" or "gold 2.0"—a modern store of wealth that is more efficient for a digital world.
  • Investing in Bitcoin is seen as a way to bet against the debasement of traditional currencies and get long-term exposure to the growth of the money supply (M2).
  • The potential for a Trump presidency is viewed as bullish for Bitcoin, as it is expected to lead to more economic stimulus.

Takeaways

  • Bitcoin is positioned as a core long-term holding within a crypto portfolio, favored over more speculative altcoins.
  • It serves as a hedge against inflation and a bet on an alternative financial system. The speakers' conviction suggests it should be a primary, rather than a minor, allocation for those investing in the crypto space.

Ethereum (ETH)

  • While acknowledged as a "survivor" alongside Bitcoin, the speakers raised significant questions about its valuation and long-term investment case.
  • The argument that ETH should be valued as a commodity is challenged. Based on a commodity model (supply vs. actual usage for gas fees), its current price appears highly inflated.
  • A key concern is that the growth of Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions (like Base and Arbitrum) cannibalizes the fee revenue of the main Ethereum network. As transactions move to L2s for lower fees, it reduces the amount of ETH being "burned," which was a core part of its "ultra-sound money" thesis.
  • The price chart for ETH has effectively gone sideways for the last four years from its peak, despite massive growth in the ecosystem.

Takeaways

  • Investors should be cautious. The fundamental value accrual mechanism for ETH is under pressure from its own scaling solutions.
  • The investment case is less clear-cut than Bitcoin's. While it remains a dominant smart contract platform, its path to increasing the value of the ETH token is becoming more complex and uncertain.

Altcoins & Layer 1s (L1s)

  • The speakers expressed a strong bearish sentiment towards the broader altcoin and L1 market.
  • They believe that specific market trends or "metas" (like the ICO boom, 2020 DeFi summer, and 2021 NFTs) do not come back once they are over. Most altcoins from past cycles have trended to zero.
  • The speakers agree with the thesis that at current multi-trillion dollar market caps, crypto projects need to show real-world usage and financial progress, which most are failing to do.
  • Aptos (APT) was mentioned as an example of a potential short trade against Bitcoin.

Takeaways

  • Extreme caution is advised when investing in altcoins. The speakers suggest that the "next big trade" in crypto may be to short overvalued L1s.
  • Investors should not expect a repeat of previous altcoin bull runs where everything went up. The market is maturing, and projects without a clear, sustainable value proposition are at high risk of failure.

Tax-Loss Harvesting Theme

  • This was identified as a major market force at the end of the year, particularly in crypto where there is no "wash sale" rule.
  • This rule allows investors to sell an asset at a loss to offset taxes on other gains and then immediately buy it back.
  • This creates significant downward pressure in the last few days of December on assets that are already down for the year.
  • TIA was mentioned as a potential short-term short candidate due to this dynamic.

Takeaways

  • Be prepared for potential volatility and downward price action in the last week of the year for assets that have performed poorly.
  • This could present a shorting opportunity for traders leading into the end of the year.
  • For long-term investors, this period could offer a buying opportunity in early January, as assets may be artificially depressed due to tax-related selling.

Stock & ETF Opportunities

Robinhood (HOOD)

  • One speaker described Robinhood as a "no-brainer trade for the next five years."
  • The sentiment was "ridiculously bullish," indicating very high conviction in the stock's long-term potential.

Takeaways

  • For investors looking for exposure to retail financial services and crypto trading, Robinhood is presented as a strong long-term buy.

Tesla (TSLA)

  • The bullish case for Tesla is not based on its car business but as the "only clean way to get exposure to the robotics thesis."
  • It's acknowledged as a highly volatile stock, with a valuation that is "totally out of whack." The speaker noted they wouldn't be surprised by a 50% drawdown, comparing its behavior to Bitcoin.

Takeaways

  • Investing in Tesla is framed as a high-risk, high-reward bet on the future of humanoid robotics.
  • Investors should be prepared for extreme price swings and treat it as a speculative, long-term holding.

REMX (Rare Earth Mineral ETF)

  • This ETF is a play on the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China over rare earth minerals.
  • The thesis is that for national security reasons, the U.S. government will have to support domestic rare earth mineral companies, which are held in this ETF.
  • One speaker holds a significant 5% portfolio allocation to REMX, calling it a "real trade."

Takeaways

  • REMX offers a way to invest in the theme of reshoring critical supply chains and rising geopolitical conflict. It's a targeted bet on a specific industrial and political trend.

UnitedHealthcare (UNH)

  • The stock was mentioned as a potential "buy the dip" opportunity after a significant sell-off from $600 down to $324.
  • This price level is roughly where the stock was in 2020 before a massive run-up.
  • The investment thesis is a cynical but potentially profitable one: being "bullish on healthcare dysfunction in the United States."

Takeaways

  • The sharp price drop in UNH could represent an attractive entry point for value-oriented investors who believe in the long-term profitability of the U.S. healthcare industry.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Insights

  • The general NFT market meta of 2021 is considered over and unlikely to return. Most NFTs are expected to go to zero.
  • A key distinction was made between large and small collections:
    • CryptoPunks (10,000 items): Viewed as a "2021 meta" that is now struggling. The large supply creates constant selling pressure from holders taking profits, tax-loss harvesting, or "rage quitting."
    • EtherRocks (100 items): Viewed more favorably due to extreme scarcity and its status as the "first NFT." The small, exclusive community is seen as a source of value. A future price of $1-2 million per rock was seen as plausible.

Takeaways

  • When evaluating NFTs, scarcity and historical significance are paramount.
  • Large collections are vulnerable to persistent selling pressure. Small, exclusive collections with strong communities have a better chance of holding value long-term.
  • Treat NFTs like the traditional art market: a few pieces are incredibly valuable, while the vast majority are not.
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Episode Description
Gm! This week, we cover end-of-year tax moves, revisit Jonah’s CryptoPunk trade, and share our views on equities and commodities. We also dive into the stupidly bullish AI scenario, the horseshoe theory of politics, the crypto valuation & commodity debate, and much more. Enjoy! – Go follow the new 1000x feed to keep up to date with all new episodes! Spotify: https://bit.ly/4676Sob  Apple: https://bit.ly/4etlBMd  – Follow Avi:  https://x.com/AviFelman  Follow Jonah:  https://x.com/jvb_xyz  Follow 1000x:  https://x.com/1000xPod   Join the 1000x Telegram: https://t.me/+fz-2f0cwC6o0MWNh – Kraken offers crypto margin trading to qualified U.S. clients through Kraken Pro. Access up to 10x leverage on supported pairs. Built-in risk tools, unified account experience, and deep liquidity from a Platform trusted for over 14 years.  Learn more: https://www.kraken.com/en-ca/features/margin-trading   Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss and is offered to US customers (excluding NY and ME) through Payward Interactive, Inc. View legal disclosures at kraken.com/legal/disclosures. Availability of margin trading services is subject to certain limitations and eligibility criteria. Trading using margin involves an element of risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Read Kraken’s Margin Disclosure Statement to learn more. – Peaq, the Machine Economy Computer, proudly sponsors the 1000x podcast.  Peaq is home to 60+ apps across 20+ industries and millions of onchain devices, machines, and robots.  It powers the world’s first tokenized robo-farm in Hong Kong and has launched the Machine Economy Free Zone in Dubai as an innovation hub for Web3, Robotics, and AI. For more about peaq, check out www.peaq.xyz – Katana directs chain revenue back to DeFi users for consistently higher yields. It starts with VaultBridge, which turns bridged assets into yield streams that back a perpetually funded real yield, boosting rewards for DeFi users. Katana is pioneering Productive TVL, assets actually being used in DeFi and reinforces this with Chain-owned Liquidity, permanent liquidity the chain controls. Stop sleeping on your bags: https://app.katana.network/?utm_source=BW-Pod – Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 Harvesting Losses & EOY Strategies 08:37 Jonah’s CryptoPunk Trade 15:42 Ads (Kraken OTC, Peaq) 17:00 Real vs Digital World 22:07 Best Places to Live 28:15 Bullish Equities & Commodities? 33:13 Altcoins & Midterms 37:28 Our Healthcare Sucks 39:55 Trading Twilight Zone 40:48 AI vs Main Street & Horseshoe Theory 44:04 Trump Savings Account 48:59 Ads (Kraken OTC, Peaq, Katana) 50:54 Investing in the Next 100x 56:23 Anduril & Palmer Lucky 58:33 Crypto Valuation & Commodity Debate 01:09:42 Fees, Competitive Blockspace & Shorting 01:13:48 Answering Chat Questions – Disclaimer: Nothing said on 1000x is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Avi, Jonah and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed
About 1000x
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By Blockworks

1000x is a crypto markets podcast hosted by professional traders Avi Felman and Jonah Van Bourg. We bring on experts to dive deep into the macro and micro factors that represent the lifeblood of digital money and web3. As an increasing share of economic activity and attention migrates online, tokenomics and price action is increasingly relevant to everyone. If you’re interested in the future of markets and crypto, this show is for you.