An Overview of Bitcoin

[johnarb]

ok it is not may be but the "converted" are preaching it that way! I have no doubts about the technology it is based upon it's usefulness, or the coins as a trading ( not investing) instrument.
To a traveler yes it would be great to deal with same currency around the globe.. in other words like Euro where individual currencies were abolished and replaced with a universal currency , now add that to the technology crypto is based on = a global decentralized currency but if it is not backed by any assets a reputable regime how does it store Value?
in layman terms USD is backed by the assets and whatever power US govt has, so is say Singapore Dollar etc etc...
also it raises these questions ( example my small business)
- why should I take on currency risk by accepting payment in Crypto?
- supporters of the currency ( not the technology) say there is critical mass behind it and in my example I should have no problems in converting the crypto balance to $ but that critical mass can disappear tomorrow !
- Multi crypto , if we are going to create multiple Crypto currencies then is it not same as having USD?AUD?GBP?EURO etc
Your other point about "you don't necessarily have to be exposed to the volatility "
How? if I hold Bitcoin as an asset every second it is marked to market! and looking at the volatility I wonder unless I am trader why would I bother?

You're asking basic questions about bitcoin (cryptos) as if you only learned about it yesterday. Bitcoin was started 9 years ago and it stared with no value to where it is now. There are many resources available for you to study if you are willing to learn. Some of them are posted at the beginning of this thread.

As I mentioned, if your business were signed up with a crypto payment processor (such as Bitpay or CoinBase or CoinPayment), they will accept the crypto payment on your behalf and immediately convert to fiat for you. NewEgg is signed up with BitPay, for example, and CheapAir.com is signed up with CoinBase as another example.

 

[traderjo]

".. where it is now" and that "where" is what I am questioning! along with millions who still believe in real currency and wont fall for this hype ...
- Unnecessary Conversion risk, you wont acknowledge
- Unregulated exchange system you won't see that as risk
- No asset backing should not be a concern!

Obviously you are a convert and dont like pointed questions no wonder you wont answer specific to the point questions... ok no problems enjoy your believe and paper millions

 

[johnarb]

".. where it is now" and that "where" is what I am questioning! along with millions who still believe in real currency and wont fall for this hype ...Obviously you are a convert and dont like pointed questions no wonder you wont answer specific to the point questions... ok no problems enjoy your believe and paper millions

Thank you, but you did come here seeking information but you're not willing to put in the work or to be open minded to ideas and you are quick to dismiss. YOu also seem to have this "exclusivity" that if bitcoin (cryptos) are to be currencies, there can be no other. I've already mentioned many other methods of payment exist for goods and services. Good luck with your trades.

 

[traderjo]

lot of assumptions
-No I am not assuming Bitcoin is the only Crypto read my comment about multi crypto and it's a copy of current multi currency that exists etc
- I am open minded, that is why I said as a trading instrument or as a new Fintech it has value but I was asking fundamental questions about the real value and risks with examples, see if you can answer one in a straight forward manner
Rather than just comments or assusing me of not doing homewrok
- eXCHANGE RISK EVERY SECOND?
- Mt Gox type risk
- Huge volatility
Again these are questions from a user point of view of a investor / user rather than as a trader I dont trade them ( If I put my trader hat on then if it is a regulated product and within my parameters of risk I will trade on any thing)

 

[johnarb]

lot of assumptions
-No I am not assuming Bitcoin is the only Crypto read my comment about multi crypto and it's a copy of current multi currency that exists etc
- I am open minded, that is why I said as a trading instrument or as a new Fintech it has value but I was asking fundamental questions about the real value and risks with examples, see if you can answer one in a straight forward manner
Rather than just comments or assusing me of not doing homewrok
- eXCHANGE RISK EVERY SECOND?
- Mt Gox type risk
- Huge volatility
Again these are questions from a user point of view of a investor / user rather than as a trader I dont trade them ( If I put my trader hat on then if it is a regulated product and within my parameters of risk I will trade on any thing)

From a user point of view:
1. Exchange Risk is part of the speculative investment asset (in cryptos) that the user signed up for. It's not as bad as it sounds. For certain folks (myself included), I bought in with capital that I could afford to lose and the returns have been in the 10's of thousands of percent over a couple of years.
2. Mt. Gox type risk is a non-issue if you don't leave any considerable amount on any exchange. If you don't own the private key(s) to the bitcoin (cryptos), you don't own the coins.
3. Huge Volatility. same as 1, see above. Don't invest (speculate) more than you can afford to lose.

 

[itspossible]

Bitcoin (cryptos), imo, is not trying to replace fiat (i.e. USD) completely. We have many choices when it comes to methods of payment for goods and services, (i.e. fiat, CC's, Apple/Samsung/Android Pay, etc.). As a currency, it is inferior to the local fiat or even CC's when used daily (with volatility probably being its biggest problem in this area). Even in Japan where it is legalized as a currency, many people choose to hoard it rather than spend (from what I read).

Having said all of that, there are cases when bitcoin (cryptos) beats any other type of payment method. as it is decentralized, distributed and trustless. If you owned an online business, bitcoin is probably the best payment method as there are no chargebacks and you don't necessarily have to be exposed to the volatility if you sign up with the bitcoin (cryptos) payment processors such as Bitpay or Coinbase.

Store of value is where bitcoin shines and this is in my view its best asset (pun intended).

Well said.

 

[traderjo]

With all due respect johnarb, you are missing the main point of my question
your answers are relevant to a trader and all valid. I agree
but my questions are from a user's point of view ( either as a business or a user of this currency instead of native currency)
so as shop owner lets say I operate in a major OECD currency
- Have little currency risk if I dont use Cryptoas almost all my input and output cost is in same currency
- my money float is held with a bank which in turn is backed by the government
- my savings are held with a bank which in turn is backed by the government
- Although my wealth that I have will be fluctuating with other global currencies and my input cost may go up as some of input could be affected by imports ( fuel)
I bet It won't fluctuate as much as what these crypto currencies are
so here the question is not about speculating it simply storage of wealth
not to mention the havoc of having multiple Crypto currencies

 

[johnarb]

With all due respect johnarb, you are missing the main point of my question
your answers are relevant to a trader and all valid. I agree
but my questions are from a user's point of view ( either as a business or a user of this currency instead of native currency)
so as shop owner lets say I operate in a major OECD currency
- Have little currency risk if I dont use Cryptoas almost all my input and output cost is in same currency
- my money float is held with a bank which in turn is backed by the government
- my savings are held with a bank which in turn is backed by the government
- Although my wealth that I have will be fluctuating with other global currencies and my input cost may go up as some of input could be affected by imports ( fuel)
I bet It won't fluctuate as much as what these crypto currencies are
so here the question is not about speculating it simply storage of wealth
not to mention the havoc of having multiple Crypto currencies

I thought I answered it already, but here's my last attempt. As a business, there's no currency risk as the payment processor immediately converts to fiat for you so you never touch cryptos. If you wish to accept cryptos (payment) then you sign up as an investor willing to take the currency risk (OverStock doesn't convert to fiat immediately). Let me be clear on one thing, cryptos is not being forced on anyone, business or individual. If it's not for you, it's not for you.

You're referring to 2 types of users. A user who wish to invest in an asset that is also a currency and that user is aware of the volatility risk associated with the cryptos' value. The other user is simply not someone who should be using bitcoin (cryptos) as it doesn't fit in his lifestyle.

Bitcoin is not backed by government and was created as a way protest the printing of trillions of $ by central banks & governments worldwide.

 

[traderjo]

As a business: "you never touch crypto" Technically is that possible? I will check with the providers/ my gut feeling is until you convert there is a risk of both conversion and the "provider counter party" not being a regulated entity.
"Bitcoin is not backed by government and was created as a way of protest" so it might be but as a user I dont care about protest or not for me is it relatively safe for me... it is not much in current form
unfortunately lot of people are going to burn their fingers in the hype or worst fraud in unregulated market

 

[traderjo]

lot of small speculators are going to try their luck but few professionals/ market makers are going to make a killing.. Store of value! dont think so here is Feb GXBT futures 21K - 9110 . who in right mind will store his / her WEALTH in such a thing! a good betting product sure . Wealth store value ! BS