The market has not been the easiest to read in recent years, and investors have, to say the least, experienced a lot of highs and lows. At the beginning of the new year, however, there are certain trends that make analysts dare to predict the pattern for a number of different industries. Three of the most interesting markets to keep an eye on in 2022 are the crypto market, the delivery of online therapy services and the market for online casinos and betting, which is expected to grow strongly during the year. Below is a closer look at these industries and what will make them particularly interesting in the coming months.
A continued strong crypto market
Not many people will be surprised that the crypto market, despite stricter regulations, predicts another peak year in 2022. Last year was a real record year, and analysts who invested their money in more and more institutions turning to Bitcoin as an alternative in times of rising inflation got it right. These increased investments have in turn led to an increase in interest in Altcoins, ie other cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. At present, these alternative cryptocurrencies are estimated to amount to as much as 34% of the crypto market. Before the year, the institutions’ focus was mainly on Bitcoin, followed by Ethereum, while small savers and smaller investors set out in search of Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. In 2022, on the other hand, analysts predict that the investment pattern between small investors and institutions will intertwine as more and more people enter the market and new lessons are learned. One of the biggest reasons why the crypto market is expected to remain strong this year is that the institutions that were quick to jump on the bandwagon last year have already been able to reap great success, which inspires others to do the same. This, combined with strong regulations, makes the market even safer – and more attractive – for institutional players. At the same time as more and more of these big players enter the game, more and more information and more analyzes will also be made available to small investors, which in turn will also provide fuel for this part of the market.
Alternative avenues for therapy
Last year, more and more people turned their attention to the market for therapy and mental health, and recent research indicates a continued upswing in 2022. The trend has been on the rise for some time, and at the same time it can be difficult to draw parallels to the driving factor behind the trend. The fact remains that more than one in four Swedes, more precisely 26% of the population, have ever taken help from a therapist or psychologist according to a survey conducted a few years ago. This is a figure that has since probably increased significantly, not only in Sweden but also globally. This trend indicates that more and more people are expected to seek out therapists and psychologists in the coming year, which in combination with staff shortages and care queues means that increasing pressure is being put on so-called analogue psychology and therapy. The market’s response to this is predicted to be a large increase in solutions and offers online where anyone seeking help for their psychological problems can turn. The range of these digital platforms and apps that link therapists and patients is expected to rise sharply, and just as video consulting and telemedicine have become key features in the range of healthcare, online therapy will most likely become an equally common treatment option in 2022. Technology behind these services in a digital format will thus play a significant role in the delivery of therapy and psychology, making it a market to be reckoned with in the coming months.
An upward trend for online casinos
According to a recent study, commercial online gaming and gambling at online casinos continue to increase in Sweden, which makes this another industry to keep an eye on during the coming year. Since the Swedish licensing system for gambling for money came into force in 2019, the market has become increasingly safer, and despite stricter monitoring and new rules from the summer of 2020 that entailed stricter limits for weekly deposits and bonuses, the Swedish market continues to grow. At present, there are over 70 licensed companies in Sweden that offer both online casino and sports betting, with over 250 registered websites. This market is huge, and in 2019 alone, Swedish players had a turnover of just over SEK 14 billion, while the same figure from 2020 was SEK 15.157 billion – that is, an increase of around 8%. New figures from the Swedish Gaming Inspectorate also show that sales for online gambling and betting rose by 14% during the second quarter of 2021, compared with the corresponding quarter the year before.
There are several trends that are expected to stand out from the crowd this year, and here have only lifted a fraction of them. In a time of constant change, it is difficult to draw one hundred percent conclusions, but analyzes and assessments point strongly upwards for the three industries we have mentioned – but just how steep the curve will be, only time will tell.
Source: Plato Data Intelligence: PlatoData.io
