The Rise of Crypto: $37.6B Gains in 2023

According to a recent report from blockchain analytics company Chainalysis, cryptocurrency investors experienced a rebound in 2023, resulting in billions of dollars in profits. The report indicates that investors made a total of $37.6 billion in realized gains, which refers to profits earned from selling assets for more than their purchase price. This is a significant recovery compared to the $127.1 billion in realized losses recorded in 2022. When compared to the bull market of 2021, the recovery is relatively modest, as investors gained $159.7 billion in that year.

One interesting finding from the report is that while crypto asset prices grew at similar rates in 2023 and 2021, the total gains estimate for 2023 is lower. One possible explanation for this is that investors in 2023 were less likely to convert their crypto assets into cash, expecting prices to rise even further. Throughout the year, crypto gains remained consistent, with only two consecutive months of losses in August and September, coinciding with US regulatory crackdowns on crypto companies. Gains surged again in November and December, likely due to the anticipation of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds being approved.

According to the report, the United States ranked first on the list of countries with the highest realized gains, with an estimated $9.36 billion. The United Kingdom stood in second place with $1.39 billion. Other countries such as Vietnam, China, Indonesia, India, Russia, and South Korea also saw realized gains exceeding $1 billion. The report also highlights that several upper and lower middle-income countries, particularly in Asia, achieved significant gains. Chainalysis noted that these countries showed strong cryptocurrency adoption, which remained resilient even during the recent bear market.

Chainalysis measures investors’ crypto gains using a methodology that tracks the movement of assets in and out of services that can be converted into fiat currency. This approach allows the company to estimate the profits made by investors accurately. The report provides insights into the recovery of the crypto market in 2023 and the countries that benefited the most from the gains.