Quote from Algo_Design_Kid:
I think some of these points are more valid than others.
1. Internet goes out.. ok. Well, that is a real problem. Doesn't mean your coins will be erased though as everyone keeps the entire ledger with a full bitcoin client running. When the internet gets turned back on, however, everything should be all good. That is if the internet can be "turned off."
2. I'm guessing that you can somehow allow the ports to be open.
3. The miners process transactions in an encrypted message of sorts. I am not real strong in information around these subjects. This is best found on the "mining" board at bitcointalk.org
4. Virus.. there has been viruses made especially for bitcoin wallets, I have heard, at least. You can print to a paper wallet to be sure, or just keep your wallet encrypted with a VERY STRONG passcode, as I do. I also spread my risk around, so I don't keep all my coins in one wallet, I have multiple usb drives and internet locations where my coins reside.
5. I'm guessing you mean't EMP? Yeah, don't really know how these actually work outside of Ocean's 13, or what is 12? Anyway, I have no idea.
6. Not sure.. inherent risk, if I am understanding what you are saying here.
The rest of the post seems like conjecture and inherent risk with BTC. But, like I have been saying, BTC is full of risk. But the reward so far, for me at least, has been enormous. I still think dollar cost averaging is the way to go with this.
Sorry my writing is as messy as my brain. lol
What I am getting at is risks that you would not usually consider.
Lets take EMP (there have been claims that they have tested this in USA.)
Why bring it up ? (or even turning off the net)
It is all stupidity. when one invests in something else they don't consider such things.
The reason I consider it is because of the value of bitcoin.
Bitcoins are worthless like cash. but the demand gives them value.People do not want it cause it is better, easier more liquid. It is nothing but headaches.
The value comes from it being a hedge against everything the exists today.
That is to say the governments seem to be messing everything up but they cant mess up bitcoin.
The only reason I would consider buying bit coins is a hedge against the government.
If people sold gold and bought bitcoins the price would go through the roof.
In this case, people will but it because it is not in the banks (cyprus) it is not government run.
Great this interests me now, and so does the price. But the reality is that is not a hedge against the government. Sure it is not run by the government, but the government can get its nose in to it.
If we use it as a hedge against banks and government, we are making the assumption that government are not likely to control it cause they will have to take a few more steps to control it. (switch banks to become huge nodes,emp ect)
This is an assumption, it is not a hedge. Actually it may be more or a risk then the dollar. The government may not like it and be MORE likely to get rid of it or mess it up.
Its like safety deposit banks. they are a hedge against theft and maybe for some a hedge against paying taxes. The assumption is that the safety deposit box is safer then a bank account or getting robbed. It is all fine and dandy, the truth is that banks steel at times and governments can get their hands on it. So it is good as long as things don't go too far. But the safty deposit is safe keeping for when things "do go too far" if it is useless then, its value was none.
Id buy bitcoin if it was something that gave me safety. Safety when shit hits the fan, not safety when everything is fine. Safety when the situation is worse then Cyprus.