Crypto's growth is getting closer to the ceiling, says Ethereum's co-founder

The next step would be to involve more people already interested in cryptocurrencies, Buterin said. "Pass people interested in real applications of economic activity," he said.

Jehan Chu, managing partner of the blockchain investment and consulting firm Kenetic Capital, said that there could be a potential for further growth in 2019, as cryptocurrency chips continued to rise.

"There are deep reservoirs of value waiting for the right trigger," he said in a text message.

Ether, the cryptocurrency that powers the Ethereum blockchain, has fallen more than 85% since its January high and is now trading at less than $ 200 after a new wave of sales alongside competing pieces, including Ripple and Litecoin on Saturday, according to Bitstamp. exchange price established by Bloomberg. Ether is used as a "gas" to pay for transactions on decentralized applications running on the Ethereum network.

Ether's losses accelerated in August as some start-ups paid in digital currency during their initial coin offerings went into hedging to cover expenses and price declines among virtual currencies, according to reports. sector observers. Bitcoin has decreased by more than 50% this year.

Last week, Ether and Bitcoin tumbled after a report said the Goldman Sachs group was suspending its plans for an encryption desk. Goldman CFO Martin Chavez said the report was "false news," saying the bank had never had a timetable for his project.

In the end, if all that cryptocurrency is, do the millionaires continue to buy and sell, so what have we really accomplished?

"Honestly, I do not think it matters a lot, and honestly, part of me would be happier if institutional trade in cryptocurrencies did not go on for another five years," Buterin said. "In the end, if all that cryptocurrency is, do the millionaires continue to buy and sell, so what did we really achieve?"

According to a forecast of Mike McGlone, strategist of Bloomberg Intelligence, on Sept. 7, Ether could tackle a target of US $ 155 against rising competition, volatile markets and a mature sector. This still represents a 2000% lead over the end of 2016.