Crypto Glossary: White Swan Event
A white swan event refers to a significant event or occurrence that is predicted with a high degree of certainty. It is characterized by several key attributes:
- Certainty: A white swan event is expected to happen, and there is a strong level of confidence in its occurrence. While the exact timing may be uncertain, the event itself is considered inevitable.
- Quantifiability: The impact of a white swan event is relatively easy to quantify or measure. This means that the consequences and effects of the event can be assessed and analyzed with a reasonable degree of accuracy.
- Human Attribution: White swan events often attribute human error or human-related factors as the cause. These events are typically associated with decisions, actions, or circumstances influenced by human actions or decisions.
An example of a white swan event in the traditional financial world is a recession. Signs such as rising unemployment, inflation, and negative GDP growth are indicators of an impending recession. While the exact timing of a recession may be uncertain, its occurrence is widely anticipated due to economic factors.
In the context of the cryptocurrency market, the entire market itself can be considered a white swan event. Over the long term, the growth and trajectory of the crypto market are relatively predictable. Despite periods of bear market conditions, the crypto market has historically demonstrated recovery and growth, akin to a pendulum swinging back and forth after reaching equilibrium.
The crypto market’s recovery, marked by rapid price increases and new all-time highs, is driven by factors such as increasing adoption and demand. Since only a small percentage of the global population has engaged with cryptocurrencies, there is considerable room for growth, resulting in an expansion of the market’s overall capitalization.