<div id="readability-page-1" class="page"><div> <h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>Bitcoin’s longevity, scarcity, and integration with traditional finance are key reasons investors should consider owning it.</li><li>It’s easy to believe that Bitcoin’s market cap will slowly gain ground on gold’s total value. </li><li>While the prominent digital asset has tremendous long-term upside, investors should still focus on building a diversified portfolio. </li><li>10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin ›</li></ul>Over the past six weeks, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has returned to its winning ways. The top cryptocurrency's price has climbed 22% since the start of April (as of May 15). But it's still down double digits in 2026. And it trades 35% below its record from last October.Despite the volatile swings, this digital asset's historical track record is impressive, as it has skyrocketed 17,340% in the last decade. If you're looking to buy Bitcoin today, though, could it still set you up for life?Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an &#34;Indispensable Monopoly&#34; providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »<img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-dXJsPWh0dHBzOi8vZy5mb29sY2RuLmNvbS9lZGl0b3JpYWwvaW1hZ2VzLzg2OTgxNi9idXlpbmctYml0Y29pbi1vbi1zbWFydHBob25lLWNyeXB0by1hcHAuanBnJnc9NzAw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" height="467" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-dXJsPWh0dHBzOi8vZy5mb29sY2RuLmNvbS9lZGl0b3JpYWwvaW1hZ2VzLzg2OTgxNi9idXlpbmctYml0Y29pbi1vbi1zbWFydHBob25lLWNyeXB0by1hcHAuanBnJnc9NzAw"/>Image source: Getty Images. <h2>Long-term investors should consider allocating to the leading cryptocurrency</h2>In its nearly two-decade life, Bitcoin has shown that it isn't going anywhere. It has stood the test of time, bouncing back from lows to reach new highs. This is one reason investors should consider owning it.The cryptocurrency's scarcity is another reason. Bitcoin has a hard supply cap of 21 million units, enforced by a predetermined inflationary schedule. In the face of mounting sovereign debt and expanding money supply, Bitcoin's fixed supply shines.With a market cap of $1.6 trillion, Bitcoin can no longer be ignored by the traditional financial system. Whether you're talking about exchange-traded funds, unique investment instruments, payments solutions, or a compelling treasury asset, Bitcoin is slowly becoming mainstream.And since the Iran war started on Feb. 28, Bitcoin has soared 23%. This showcases its strong performance during heightened geopolitical turmoil, indicating the cryptocurrency is doing its job as a safe haven asset. At the same time, the S&amp;P 500 index has risen 8%, while gold is down 12%.<h2>Bitcoin has big upside, but set the right expectations</h2>Over the next decade and beyond, Bitcoin has what it takes to be a huge winner in investors' portfolios. While past performance isn't likely to repeat, it wouldn't be surprising to see a tenfold gain between now and 2036.Today, Bitcoin's market cap represents just 5% of gold's $31.6 trillion value. In 10 years, it could reach a meaningfully higher share because the digital asset is scarcer while also being divisible and portable. And Bitcoin can be used in transactional settings.Even after the next 10 years, there remains continued upside, so it's a good idea to think about buying Bitcoin now, especially because it's well off its peak.However, investors shouldn't bet the farm on a single asset setting them up for life, no matter how promising it looks. The smartest market participants are those who focus on building a diversified portfolio of high-quality assets, one that can include Bitcoin.<h2>Should you buy stock in Bitcoin right now?</h2> Before you buy stock in Bitcoin, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Bitcoin wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $483,476!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,362,941!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 998% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 207% for the S&amp;P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2026. Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc. </div></div>

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Bitcoin's longevity, scarcity, and integration with traditional finance make it a compelling investment. Despite a 22% price increase since April, it remains 35% below its peak. With a market cap of $1.6 trillion, Bitcoin is becoming mainstream, especially as a safe haven during geopolitical turmoil. While it has significant long-term potential, investors are advised to maintain a diversified portfolio rather than relying solely on Bitcoin for wealth accumulation.

- Bitcoin's longevity, scarcity, and integration with traditional finance position it as a compelling investment, despite recent volatility.  
- With a current market cap of $1.6 trillion, it serves as a safe haven asset during geopolitical turmoil, having risen 23% since the Iran war began in February.  
- Investors are advised to build diversified portfolios and not rely solely on Bitcoin, as market analysts suggest exploring other high-return stocks alongside it.

Could Buying Bitcoin Today Still Set You Up for Life?