Forget Bitcoin—the hottest investment item right now as far as we’re concerned is CS2 skins.
Against all expectations, these highly sought-after cosmetics items, introduced to the Counter-Strike series a decade ago, have become the basis of a thriving online market, and the currency behind a million lucrative side-hustles.
But any investment requires caution and expertise. We can’t promise to help you make money (or prevent you from losing money), but we can give you a few tips and tricks for navigating the CS2 skins marketplace.
All About Skins
CS2 skins have various different uses, though they’re all strictly cosmetic in terms of functionality.
They allow players to customize their CS2 weapons, gear, and characters, overlaying the boring old outfits with splashes of personality to give the game a little bit of extra color and charm.
Some of these designs are flashy, others discreetly advertize a player’s achievements, and so on.
Plus, certain skins function as status symbols, for the simple reason that they’re hard to come by and potentially very expensive. Some are limited edition items, others are only obtainable by taking part in certain tournaments.
Only the most skillful and dedicated players (or those with the deepest pockets) are able to brandish these skins, and the possibility of owning a rare skin is a huge motivating factor for a lot of people who play CS2.
For that reason, there’s a thriving market for CS2 skins, which makes them a genuine investment opportunity.
Speculate to Accumulate
There are several online marketplaces where players can buy, sell, and trade in skins. These CS2 trading platforms allow investors to monitor fluctuations in the value of skins based on factors like rarity, demand, and in-game events.
The changing value of particular skins creates opportunities for players to generate profits by making accurate predictions on price movements.
As with all forms of trading, the CS2 skin market rewards patience, insight, and deep knowledge of the marketplace. If you’ve got what it takes, you can become a virtual entrepreneur, converting your knowledge into cash.
Evaluating Skin Investments
When it comes to evaluating the potential value of a CS2 skin, the same rules apply as they do in any form of trade-based speculation.
One of the first factors to consider is demand, which is discernible in market trends. Understanding the popularity of certain skin designs can help you understand where the opportunities lie, so it’s important to pay close attention to the community and their tastes.
Likewise, staying abreast of in-game events such as updates and tournaments is crucial to maintaining an advantage.
Historical data can also be immensely valuable in helping you to identify market trends. It’s important to know which types of items tend to hold their value, which ones tend to rise and fall depending on outside factors, and so on.
CS2 skins may not have the same level of recognition as gold and Tesla shares, the risks and rewards involved in trading them are no different. That means you need to set goals, maintain a diverse portfolio, and do your research.
There’s money to be made as long as you minimize your risks, sell skins instantly when they reach your target value, and take the enterprise seriously.
Some Investment Tips
Every trader must walk alone, but there’s always support and advice to be found. In fact, we’re going to set you off down the right path with a few of our own picks.
AK-47 | Elite Build
The AK-47 | Elite Build is an investment staple among rifle skins, thanks to the iconic status of the AK-47 rifle.
Don’t be misled by the Elite label. This skin costs as little as $0.44 for the Battle-Scarred version, all the way up to $16.87 for the most sought-after edition. You probably won’t make a killing with this one, but you probably won’t get wiped out either.
AK-47 | Asiimov
Thanks to its adoption by renowned CS2 players like Device and Krimz for use in international tournaments, the AK-47 | Asiimov has garnered significant attention within the community.
Its value has declined in recent weeks, but the AK-47 | Asiimov has a degree of intrinsic value thanks to its rarity, aesthetics, and superstar endorsements.
Navaja Knife | Damascus Steel
Used in the field by professional players like Sico and Stewie2K, the Navaja Knife | Damascus Steel is another item that has benefited from celebrity endorsements.
It’s also affordable, attractive, and rare, making it a solid investment opportunity.