Group 1 - Bitcoin has provided significant returns, with an investment of $500 five years ago now worth approximately $5,238, representing over 10x returns [1] - The strong performance of Bitcoin is attributed to its growing popularity, especially among institutional investors, and a more accommodating regulatory environment [2] - The emergence of Bitcoin ETFs and a supportive environment for cryptocurrency growth have been key catalysts for its success [4][5] Group 2 - Investment in Bitcoin has become easier due to the growth of cryptocurrency exchanges and the availability of purchasing options through platforms like PayPal and Block's Cash App [5] - The regulatory landscape has improved, allowing banks to act as cryptocurrency custodians, which enhances the overall accessibility for investors [5] - Despite Bitcoin's strong performance, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor has identified 10 stocks that they believe could yield better returns than Bitcoin in the coming years [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - PayPal Holdings has seen significant stock price fluctuations, currently trading near its lowest valuation since going public, reflecting a decline in investor sentiment towards the fintech company [1] Group 1: Company Performance and Strategy - Under CEO Alex Chriss, who took over in 2023, PayPal is focused on improving profit margins and reigniting growth [2][8] - The company is implementing initiatives like PayPal Complete Payments to enhance user engagement and profit margins [9] - PayPal's stock has become more affordable, trading at one of its cheapest valuations since its spin-off from eBay in 2015 [6] Group 2: Market Challenges - PayPal has experienced a slowdown in growth, with competition from major players like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and others impacting its market position [3] - The company's take rate, which is the percentage of transaction value retained as revenue, has been declining due to increased competition [4] - Concerns arose after PayPal's 2024 full-year results, particularly regarding slow growth in unbranded transactions and conservative earnings guidance [5] Group 3: Growth Opportunities - PayPal is leveraging its first-mover advantage in the payment space, with 85% of survey respondents using its services, compared to 54% for its closest competitor, Block's Cash App [11] - The company is expanding its ad business, PayPal Ads, to sell programmatic ads, aiming to enhance its platform and grow ad revenue [10] - A $15 billion stock buyback authorization has been approved to reduce outstanding shares and boost earnings per share, indicating the company's belief in its undervalued stock [12]

Here's how PayPal stock could rebound in 2025 and beyond.PayPal Holdings (PYPL -3.25%) has lost investor confidence in recent years. Its stock has plunged 77% from its 2021 peak, but the payments processor remains popular among its 434 million active users. The company has overhauled its leadership team in hopes of revitalizing growth and restoring confidence among shareholders.Any time a stock drops significantly from its highs, especially one of a company as profitable as PayPal, it's worth exploring to d ...