HODL is a well-known term within the cryptocurrency universe that signifies the holding of your digital coins instead of selling them, even if the market is very volatile. The term was born from a typographical error in an online discussion in 2013, where one of the Bitcoin investors wrote “I am hodling” during a time of heavy price fluctuation. The mistake became a phenomenon, and gradually, it was adopted by the crypto community.
HODL today is a term that can be found on the lips of the crypto investors who mainly and purposely speak about it as a long-hold investment approach. The HODLers are those who have the firm conviction that in the long run, the cryptocurrency will be worth a lot, and hence, they do not panic in case of drops in prices, negative news, or even overall pullbacks in the market. They are not looking to cash in on short-term price fluctuations but rather to ride out the storm.
HODLing is a phenomenon that is very prevalent among Bitcoin proponents who regard the currency as a long-term store of value, akin to gold, but in its digital form. It is also a strategy employed by traders who wish to reduce their emotional involvement and hence the tendency of buying when the prices are high and selling when they are low.
HODLing has the advantage of lowering psychological pressure and preventing incorrect trading decisions; however, it is not a zero-risk practice. Price drops might last for a long time, and not every coin or project will survive. In other words, HODLing means keeping your cool, not paying attention to the short-term noise, and maintaining your long-term belief in the crypto’s worth.