Bitcoin is a monetary good — a new form of money. As Bitcoin is a money, it must be compared to other monies to consider the comparative advantages of Bitcoin and from that consider further the probabilities of Bitcoin winning ground or not in the competition between monies.
Brief summarization of the monetary properties
Summarization of the monetary properties of Bitcoin compared to precious metals and fiat currencies
As the exhibit above showcases, Bitcoin offers many different distinct and compelling competitive advantages to the alternatives.
These include, but are not limited to:
1. Bitcoin is the first asset in the human history to provide any holder a very sure case of unseizability and censorship- and judgment-resistance for their funds.
◦ Unseizability: With precious metals and fiat currencies, the custodianship is mostly in the hands of trusted custodians that is subject to any intervention by a government or authority.
Bitcoin, with self-custody being orders of magnitude easier than with precious metals and fiat currencies, and access to the corresponding private key of funds being the sole way to access and move funds, no one can seize your bitcoins.
◦ Censorship- and judgment resistance: With precious metals and fiat currencies, the payment clearing for small value transactions can with not much hassle be somewhat censorship resistant if the involved parties are willing to transact in the physical units of precious metals and fiat currencies and to self-custody the funds going forward.
However, with non-small value transactions it is exceedingly inconvenient and costly for transactions of precious metals and fiat currencies to happen in the offline, with physical units and self-custody going forward, leaving the centralized intermediaries as the only option and these are subject to any intervention by a government or authority.
Bitcoin, with the payment clearing involving no centralized intermediaries but instead a decentralized and distributed setup requiring no AML/KYC, the result is that of a the payment clearing process being permissionless, allowing anyone with cryptographic access to funds to move them at their will.
2. Bitcoin provides an inherently apolitical global monetary unit. It is truly border-less, with no recognition of any jurisdictional rules and laws, allowing the jurisdiction of a counterpart in any transaction to be of no relevance.
◦ Fiat currencies are highly political and precious metals are less political than fiat currencies, but still much more political than Bitcoin.
◦ Bitcoin is truly border-less: any bitcoin funds can be accessed anywhere on the planet by having access to information that can even be stored inside a human brain and reliably retrieved at small effort — and, crucially, with no intermediary and no permission required the bitcoin funds can be moved to anywhere in the world with final settlement in the next block.
3. Bitcoin provides scarcity and salability through time characteristics vastly superior to any other monetary options, including fiat currencies and precious metals.
◦ The non-discretionary monetary policy of the bitcoin networking allowing for the asymptotic money supply* of 21 million BTC is built into the literal definition of the protocol. This is a drastic contrast to the arbitrary scarcity of fiat currencies governed by politics.
The scarcity of precious metals is much better than fiat currencies, but Bitcoin with the strictly fixed money supply outperforms any precious metal.
Bitcoin provides any holder a reassurance stronger than any other asset in the world that their ownership stake in the total quantity of Bitcoin on the market will never diluted.
One BTC of 21 million will always be one BTC of 21 million.
◦ Bitcoins are infinitely durable, impossible to counterfeit or dilute, can be stored at no cost and at no degradation.
* By inventing Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto created the first example of a digital good (in this case, monetary good) that is impossible to reproduce ad infinitum, thereby creating the first instance of human history of digital scarcity.
Less talked about it, but perhaps more important, Satoshi Nakamoto with Bitcoin also created the first example of a good being absolute scarce.
Previously, any consideration of scarcity of a good was relative. Any physical good is never absolutely scarce, onlyrelatively scarce when compared to other goods — simply because any limit on a physical goods is a function of the time and human effort put towards producing the good.
Bitcoin, with the asymptotic monetary supply built into the protocol, is therefore the first example of absolute scarcity in a liquid commodity and good that cannot have its fixed quantity of supply increased.
People’s MoneyPower to the PeopleThe seed has been planted… Make it Thrive !!!ChooseVeritas non Auctoritas …Choose Wisely
What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
Apollo BTC – A Bitcoin ASIC Miner and Desktop Class Computer running a Full Node
Introducing the FutureBit Apollo BTC
Six CPU Cores. 44 ASIC Cores. 1TB NVMe Based SSD Drive. Quiet. Less than 200 Watts of Power. Made in the USA. This is what the Future of Bitcoin looks like.
FutureBit Apollo BTC is the world’s first vertically integrated platform bringing the full power of Bitcoin and it’s mining infrastructure in a small, quiet, easy to use desktop device designed for everyday people.
We have iterated and learned much from our first Apollo product. We realized early on that we focused too much on the mining aspect, and not enough on the software, applications, and services that run Bitcoin. Too many of these services have moved to online centralized websites, and many users have given up on running the core software that powers Bitcoin.
This must change, as Bitcoin will not continue to be the free, un-censorable, decentralized system it is today if only a few control the mining that powers it, and the nodes that control it.
At the heart of the new Apollo BTC product is a revamped SBC (Single Board Computer), that is as powerful as any consumer grade desktop system and can run almost any Bitcoin Application natively on the device 24/7. Take it out of the Box, plug it in, power it on, and you are already running a full Bitcoin node without needing to do anything.
Install a wallet of your choice, use any hardware wallet, run BTCPayServer, run a block explorer, run a Lightning Node. All of this is possible with our six core ARM based CPU with 4GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe drive that can easily store a FULL non pruned Bitcoin Node. It can power through a Full Node Sync in under 48 hours, which is a record for a device of its class! This is almost an order of magnitude faster than any Raspberry Pi 4 based Node.
On top of this we have taken our 6 years of experience building ASIC mining devices, and engineered the only American Made TeraHash range Bitcoin mining device that can be silent on your desk, mine Bitcoin in the background 24/7, and only use the power of one light bulb to do it.
We did this with our optimized PCB design that has carefully placed all 44 hash cores underneath our custom cold-forged aluminum induction heatsink, which draws up to 200 Watts of heat away from the device with our new nearly silent 25mm fan. This results in the Apollo BTC in Turbo Mode being just as quiet as the Apollo LTC in Eco Mode!
Like our previous products, we are super proud that we can continue manufacturing the Apollo BTC in the USA, and are now the only USA based company that delivers Bitcoin ASIC products with a supply chain whole owned in the western hemisphere (no more reliance on Chinese based ASICS, and their willingness to only sell to large farms and the highest bidder).
OPTIONS
Full Apollo Package: This is our Full Package option that comes with everything you need in the box. The Apollo BTC Unit with our latest controller built in, and our 200W Power supply with power cable.
Full Apollo Package NO Power Supply: We are also offering the Full Package with no power supply for people that want the plug-n-play experience but have spare 12v ATX power supply.
Standard: This option is ONLY the Apollo ASIC Miner, with no controller or power supply. Our new hashboard has a micro USB port, and can be used as a USB device. The Full Apollo Node can control multiple standard units through its USB ports. We wanted to give our customers an option to expand their hash power in a cost effective way. If you already have a Raspberry Pi, or Linux/Windows Desktop Computer and a power supply with two PCIE power ports you can also control our Standard unit in this way with our stand alone miner software (please note this setup will be for more advanced users, and the software will be command line based on launch).
Standard + Power Supply: Same as our Standard unit above, but comes with our 200W Power supply. This is a plug and play solution if you already have a Full Apollo Package. Take it out of the box, plug in the power supply, plug in the micro USB cable to the back of your Full Apollo BTC and it will automatically recognize the second hashboard and start mining!
Compact All-In-One Desktop Bitcoin System (4x6x4in) that mines Bitcoin and any SHA256 based crypto (Bitcoin Cash etc).
Powerful 6 ARM Core CPU with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD (NOT included in the Standard or Standard + package).
Comes Pre-Installed with a Bitcoin node, and you can install almost any Bitcoin Application
Very wide range of operation modes with preset ECO (quiet) mode, BALANCED, and TURBO mode.
2-3.8 TH/s of SHA256 performance per miner (+/- 5%)
125 Watts in ECO mode, and 200 Watts in TURBO * +/- 10%
Can be used as a full Desktop computer with a monitor keyboard and mouse (not included), or through our Web UI
Connect almost any peripheral with our USB 3.0 ports, USB C port, HDMI, AC Wifi, and Bluetooth
Clocks and Power is fully customizable by user with easy to use interface
Hashboard now monitors both voltage and power draw for accurate measurements*
Custom designed cold forged hexagonal pin heatsink with leading thermal performance for the quietest ASIC miner in operation!
1k-5k RPM Quiet Dual Ball Bearing Fan with automatic thermal management with onboard temperature sensor
Controlled via local connection on a web browser similar to antminers. You can simply set it up via smartphone browser. No crazy driver installs, hard to use miner software or scripts needed.
Two Six Pin PCIE power connectors for wide-range of power draw
Custom Designed all Aluminum case
Ships with our own custom built 200W 94% efficient PSU and is ready to run out of the box! (Does NOT come with Standard package).
Requirements:
Router with an Ethernet cable for initial setup OR Monitor with keyboard and mouse
At least a 250 watt 12v power supply with two 6 Pin PCIE connector is required (unless you order our packages that come with our power supply). This is the same connector used by all modern GPUs. Please note even standard units NEED a power supply, they cant be powered through the USB port on the full package unit.
As I am the owner of two of these beauties, that I have on my office as you saw in the photo above, I took the liberty to make Free-Publicity for the FutureBit Apollo Btc Miner.
What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
Bitcoin surges after accidentally released Treasury statement
Prices of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have soared following the apparent accidental release of a U.S. Treasury statement on Biden’s expected executive order on digital assets.
The premature statement by Treasury Secretary Yellen, which was dated March 9, has since been removed.
“President Biden’s historic executive order calls for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to digital asset policy. This approach will support responsible innovation that could result in substantial benefits for the nation, consumers, and businesses.
It will also address risks related to illicit finance, protecting consumers and investors, and preventing threats to the financial system and broader economy.”
Quote from the now deleted statement
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is up nearly 8% in the last 24 hours.
Biden’s executive order aims to regulate the crypto market while also reaping the benefits of digital currencies.
So far, like most countries in the world, the US has tended to react to developments and has limited itself to pointing to a political-economic approach that is yet to be developed.
Statement by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen on President Biden’s Executive Order on Digital Assets
March 9, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen released the following statement on President Biden’s executive order on digital assets.
“President Biden’s historic executive order calls for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to digital asset policy. This approach will support responsible innovation that could result in substantial benefits for the nation, consumers, and businesses. It will also address risks related to illicit finance, protecting consumers and investors, and preventing threats to the financial system and broader economy.
Under the executive order, Treasury will partner with interagency colleagues to produce a report on the future of money and payment systems. We’ll also convene the Financial Stability Oversight Council to evaluate the potential financial stability risks of digital assets and assess whether appropriate safeguards are in place. And, because the questions raised by digital assets often have important cross-border dimensions, we’ll work with our international partners to promote robust standards and a level playing field.
This work will complement ongoing efforts by Treasury. Already, the Department has worked with the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, the FDIC, and OCC to study one particular kind of digital asset – stablecoins– and to make recommendations. Under the executive order, Treasury and interagency partners will build upon the recently published National Risk Assessments, which identify key illicit financing risks associated with digital assets.
As we take on this important work, we’ll be guided by consumer and investor protection groups, market participants, and other leading experts. Treasury will work to promote a fairer, more inclusive, and more efficient financial system, while building on our ongoing work to counter illicit finance, and prevent risks to financial stability and national security.”
What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
The Times – January 3, 2009Bitcoin Genesis Block Mined 03 January 2009Cypherpunks Write CodeCODE IS LAW THE SOONER HUMANKIND ACCEPTS IT, THE SOONER IT CAN BUILD AROUND ITYeah.. I wonder Why 😂Bitcoin made easyHow a Bitcoin transaction worksA humble MinerHow Bitcoin Mining WorksMining DifficultyBitcoin HalvingBitcoin Previous HalvingsPoolsBitcoin WalletsBitcoin StakeholdersBitcoin FactsPower to the PeopleTotalitarian Governments can kiss my 256-bit keyBitcoin – People’s MoneyBitcoin cannot be Shut DownThe power of the long tail…Central Bank’s 3 StrategiesF**k them, Enough !!!Upcoming Smart Contracts NetworksBitcoin Yearly CandlesBitcoin Price History – Log ScaleBitcoin Mining Ecosystem MapDefi Ecosystem in EthereumDeFi Stack: Product& Application ViewSyscoin EcosystemSyscoinBSC EcosystemPopular CryptocurrencyCrpto EcosystemPublic Companies that own BitcoinTop Banks investing in CryptoBitcoin Inflation vs. TimeWhen you’re Ready…Choose WiselyMake bitcoin thrive, let fiat become humus…Veritas non Auctoritas Facit Legem
Most people misunderstand what bitcoin miners actually do, and as a result they don’t fully grasp the level of security provided by bitcoin’s hashrate.
In this article, we’ll explain proof of work in a non-technical way so that you’ll be able to counter the misinformation about supercomputers and quantum computers attacking the Bitcoin network in the future.
Simply put, mining is a lottery to create new blocks in the Bitcoin blockchain. There are two main purposes for mining:
To permanently add transactions to the blockchain without the permission of any entity.
To fairly distribute the 21 million bitcoin supply by rewarding new coins to miners who spend real world resources (i.e. electricity) to secure the network.
To understand what is actually happening in this lottery system, let’s look at a simple analogy where every Bitcoin hash is equivalent to a dice roll.
Luck, Gambling, and SHA-256
Imagine that miners in the Bitcoin Network are all individuals gambling at a casino. In this example, each of these gamblers have a 1000 sided dice. They roll their die as quickly as possible, trying to get a number less than 10. Statistically, this may take a very long time, but as more gamblers join the game, the time it takes to hit a number less than 10 gets reduced. In short, more gamblers equals quicker rounds.
Once somebody successfully rolls a number less than 10, all gamblers at the table can look down and verify the number. This lucky gambler takes the prize money and the next round begins.
Ultimately, the process of mining bitcoin is very similar. All miners on the network are using Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), which are specialized computers designed to compute hashes as quickly as possible.
To “compute a hash” simply means plugging any random input into a mathematical function and producing an output.
More hashes per second (i.e. higher hashrate) is equivalent to more dice rolls per second, and thus a greater probability of success.
Miners propose a potential Bitcoin block of transactions, and use this for an input. The block is plugged into the SHA256 hash function which yields a fixed-sized output, known as a hash. A single hash can be computed in less than a millisecond, as it involves no complex math.
If the hash value is lower than the Bitcoin Network difficulty, then the miner who proposed the block wins. If not, then the miner continues trying by computing more hashes.
The successful miner’s block is then added to the blockchain, the miner is rewarded with newly issued bitcoin for their work, and the “next round” begins.
Sources :
https://wikipedia.com/
https://braiins.com/
https://blockdata.com/
https://coin98analytics.com/
https://scoopwhoop.com/
https://stakingrewards.com/
https://syscoin.org/
https://galaxydigitalresearch.com/
https://surveycrest.com/
The Times
The Economist
"Internet of Money" - Andreas Antonopoulus
Hal Finney Quotes
Timothy C. May Quote
Free Spirit Digital Art
!°! If I forgot someone, sorry ! Do tell and I'll add you as a source of inspiration on the list !!! Thanks for understanding !!!
Questions, opinions, critics and requests always welcomed and as time allows will be accomodated !!! 🤓 🙂 😉
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What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
For the first time in human history there is at the disposal of the masses a tool that eliminates the middlemen and takes trust from the hands of humans and beautifully makes it a mathematics code that cannot be breaken, hacked or tricked…
What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
What is a Cryptocurrency Wallet and How Does it Work?
If you want to learn about the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, one of the first things that you should become familiar with is the role of a cryptocurrency wallet.
This guide will explain everything you need to know, using really simple, real-world examples. By the end of reading it from start to finish, you will have all the information you need!
Before I go any further, I want you to think about how you store your real-world cash. You don’t walk about holding it in your hands, do you? Instead, you most probably store it a leather wallet or purse, or maybe even a piggy bank!
Either way, it is wise to store your money where it is safe. A cryptocurrency wallet follows the same core principles.
Nevertheless, by obtaining a crypto wallet, you will have the ability to send and receive Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
So, now that you have a basic understanding of what a cryptocurrency wallet is used for, let’s see more depth how it works.
How Does a Cryptocurrency Wallet Work?
In the above section, I used the example of a real-world leather wallet, insofar that the wallet physically stores your cash. However, things are slightly different in the digital world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
Coins are not actually stored in a physical wallet, as cryptocurrencies do not exist in a physical form. Instead, the blockchain consists of transactional records that details which private and the public key has control over the funds.
To make sure you have a full understanding, I will quickly explain the role of a wallet address, as well as a private and public key, as they are all related.
A wallet address is like a bank account number. There is no harm in giving somebody else your bank account number, as people will need it if they are to transfer your funds. This could be so your employer can pay you your salary, so a customer can pay your invoice or so that your friends and family can send you some birthday money!
In the world of cryptocurrency, if somebody wants to transfer your coins, you simply give them your wallet address. Just like in the real world, no two wallet addresses are ever the same, which means that there is no chance that somebody else would get your funds. Also, there is no limit to the number of wallet addresses you can create.
To give you an example of what a Bitcoin address looks like, here is the wallet address that is believed to belong to the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto!
1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa
As you can see, it uses a combination of numbers and letters, using both upper case and lower case. As most blockchains are transparent, it is easy to find out how much money a certain cryptocurrency wallet has, as well as the transactions the owner has previously made.
However, a cryptocurrency wallet address does not reveal the real-world identity of its owner, which is why the blockchain is referred to as “pseudonymous”.
How Do Private and Public Keys Relate to a Wallet Address?
So, now that you know that a wallet address is very similar to a bank account number, I am now going to explain how you are given control of the funds. People often think that a public key is the same as a public wallet address, however, this is not correct.
Essentially, each individual cryptocurrency wallet address (remember, no two addresses can be the same) each have a unique private and public key. The private key allows you to access the funds that are related to the crypto wallet address.
To give you a real-world example, when you want to transfer money from your bank account to somebody else’s bank account, you will need to enter your private password. Nobody else has access to this password, not even the bank. Otherwise, if somebody knew what it was, they would be able to send money from your bank account!
A private key does the exact same job and it is linked specifically to the individual crypto wallet address. So what about a public key? A public key is mathematically linked to your wallet address! However, it is a “hashed version”, which I will explain below.
A hash function allows a sequence of letters and/or numbers (called an “input”) to be encrypted into a new set of letters and/or numbers (called an “output”). This adds an extra layer of security and ensures that your wallet cannot be hacked. Here is a quick example to make things simple.
Public Key: 99b1ebcfc11a13df5161aba8160460fe1601d541
Now, I know what you are thinking: these two sets of keys are completely different? To the human eye, yes, however, the software technology knows that the two keys are specifically linked to each other! That proves that you are the owner of the coins and it allows you to transfer funds whenever you want!
The important thing to remember is that everything I have explained here is very technical. However, when you use a cryptocurrency wallet, the software does everything for you. It’s like using the internet to send an email!
You don’t actually need to understand the technology that runs in the background, the likes of Gmail and Hotmail do everything for you regarding emails – just like a cryptocurrency wallet does regarding crypto transactions!
Are Coins Aren’t Actually Stored in Crypto Wallets?
You should now have a good understanding of what a cryptocurrency wallet is and how public and private keys are linked to a public wallet address. However, you might remember earlier that I said the coins aren’t actually physically stored in the wallet? That’s true! Let me clear things up.
As Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not physical money, they are digitally stored on the blockchain. The blockchain is like a giant accounting ledger that stores every single transaction that has ever occurred in the system, as well as the total account balances of each public address.
The software within the cryptocurrency wallet is connected directly to the blockchain, so it allows you to submit transactions to the ledger. However, the crypto wallet is the protocol that generates your public and private keys. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to access your funds in the real world.
To get a better understanding of this relationship, think about walking into a store and paying for goods using a debit or credit card. There is no physical exchange of money between you and the store. However, by entering your private pin number, you verify that you own the funds and so they can move the funds from your account to the account of the store.
This is the same as a cryptocurrency wallet. By entering your private key, you verify that you own the coins and then you can transfer them to someone else. That is the only way that the coins can move from person A to person B.
So, now that you know the function of a cryptocurrency wallet, let’s take a look at the different types available!
What Are the Different Types of Cryptocurrency Wallets?
There are lots of different wallet types available and the one you choose will depend on your personal needs. Essentially, different wallets offer different things, such as extra security, user-friendliness or convenience. I will now list the most popular types of cryptocurrency wallets.
Desktop Wallet
Desktop wallets are to be downloaded to a specific laptop or computer and they can only be accessed from that particular device. Generally speaking, they offer a good combination of security and convenience. However, it is important to remember that if a hacker were able to remotely get hold of your device, they could gain access to your wallet.
Mobile Wallet
A mobile wallet is very similar to a desktop wallet as the wallet is downloaded directly to your device. You normally access your cryptocurrency wallet by downloading a mobile app, which also allows you to spend your coins in a physical store by scanning a QR code.
Web or Online Wallet
A web wallet offers the greatest level of convenience when sending coins to another person, however, they are also the least secure. This is because the wallet provider usually has full control over it.
An example of this would be storing coins in a cryptocurrency exchange. The exchange will store your coins on their central server, which means that if it hacked, the criminal could have access to all of your funds. It is best advised to only keep a small number of coins in a web crypto wallets.
Paper Wallet
Paper wallets are one of the most underrated crypto wallets available. All you need to do is to print your private and public keys onto a piece of paper — and that’s it, your funds are secure!
This is because the keys are not connected to any servers, meaning the only way somebody could access them is if they had the physical paper! When you need to transfer funds, you simply enter the keys into a software or web wallet, or even easier, just scan the QR code that you printed!
Hardware Wallet
In terms of security, it doesn’t get any better than a hardware wallet. This is a physical device that has the sole purpose of storing your private and public crypto keys within the hardware.
The device is never connected to the internet unless you need to transfer funds. However, you enter your private pin directly on to the device, making it virtually impossible for a hacker to access your keys.
Are Cryptocurrency Wallets Secure?
Generally speaking, no matter which wallet you use, if somebody has access to your private key, then they have access to your funds. However, the key question is what safeguards are in place to prevent it from happening?
Any cryptocurrency wallet that has a relationship with the internet (e.g. a desktop, mobile or web wallet) will always be vulnerable.
Although abusive hackers are unethical people, they can be very intelligent. They are always creating new ways to access other people’s data, which is why you need to make sure you do everything you can to protect your private key.
Here are some examples of how a hacker could access your funds that are stored alongside an internet connection.
Malware
Virus
Key Logger
Remote Access to your device
Phishing
There are a number of things that you can do to protect yourself from the above threats. Firstly, you should always make sure your device is using the latest software. As hackers find new methods, they are able to override the inbuilt safety controls, so by updating your software, you will always have the highest level of security.
It is also a good idea to set up extra layers of security. There are many crypto wallets that allow you to set up two-factor authentication, which means that to access it you need to confirm a code that is sent to your mobile phone.
It is also a good idea to consider a wallet that allows multi-signatures. Basically, a multi-signature wallet means that to send funds, the user must authenticate the transaction using two or more separate devices. This way, if one of your devices is lost, stolen or hacked, the criminal won’t be able to access your cryptocurrency, as they would need the other device(s) too!
Finally, it is also recommended to back up your wallet on regular occasions. This allows you to write down a backup password phrase so that if anything happened to your wallet, you could still regain access.
By making sure you follow all of the above security measures, you will ensure that your cryptocurrency wallet is safe and secure against hackers!
Can I Store All of My Cryptocurrencies in the Same Wallet?
This is the golden question — with the answer being sometimes, as it depends on the specific coins you are holding! For example, if you are holding Bitcoin only, you just need to find a wallet that is compatible with Bitcoin. However, what if you are holding Bitcoin and Litecoin?
Although they each have their own blockchain, it is possible to use a multi-currency wallet. These crypto wallets allow you to store different cryptocurrencies within the same wallet, which is much easier than having to use a different wallet for each coin.
However, it all depends on what the wallet can support. Interestingly, most tokens that are available were built on top of the Ethereum blockchain – meaning that they are “ERC-20” compatible. So, if you have lots of ERC-20 tokens, then they can sometimes all be stored within the same multi-currency wallet!
Other coins are not as flexible though, so always check with the wallet provider before you attempt to transfer funds across as if the coin is not compatible you will lose them forever!
Is it True that Cryptocurrency Wallets are Anonymous?
You might remember how I mentioned that the blockchain protocol is pseudonymous, not anonymous.
This means that although your wallet address does not contain your name, people still have access to lots of other information.
This includes all of the previous transactions that the particular wallet address has made (both sent and received), including the amount and the other addresses involved in the transaction.
In reality, this isn’t really an issue, as unless you give somebody your real-world identity, it would be very difficult for someone to know who owns the address.
Just remember, governments now regulate cryptocurrency exchanges, which means that if you want to buy coins using real-world money, then you need to identify yourself by submitting documents.
This means that even once you have withdrawn your funds to your wallet, the exchange will know that your identity is linked to the wallet you sent them to.
Which Cryptocurrency Wallet is the Best?
You should by now have a very good understanding of what a cryptocurrency wallet, how the technology works and the different types available.
You should also have a good idea of how to protect your wallet from hackers, as well as what information you reveal or don’t reveal when you use it.
Exodus
Exodus is a multi-currency desktop wallet that allows you to store lots of different coins, such as Bitcoin, Litecoin and Dash, as well as various ERC-20 tokens.
One of the best features of Exodus (other than it being free) is that it is really user-friendly. When you log in, you can view you entire cryptocurrency portfolio on a visual pie chart, which also lets you know the current market value of each coin.
The wallet provider never has access to your private keys, nor are they connected to the Exodus servers. For even more convenience, Exodus even has a ShapeShift API built in, which allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies within the wallet.
Ledger Nano S
For the ultimate layer of security, it doesn’t get any better than a hardware wallet, such as Ledger Nano S. You will receive a physical device that allows you to store a range of cryptocurrencies offline.
When you want to send coins to someone, you simply need to plug the wallet into your device (such as a laptop) and then enter your private pin number. If the wallet is lost or stolen, you can recover your coins by entering your backup passphrase on another device!
You will need to pay about 90 Euros for the Ledger Nano S, however, if you have a large number of coins, it is well worth the investment. Only ever buy it from the official Ledger Nano S website.
Pros
Super secure
Protection against physical damage
Supports more than 1500 coins and tokens
Ledger Nano X
Pros
Can be managed from mobile device
Very secure
Supports more than 1500 cryptocurrencies
Trezor
Pros
Top-notch security
Touchscreen user interface
Easy to set up
Jaxx
Jaxx is also one the most popular multi-currency wallets and it is available for download on most desktop and mobile devices. For extra convenience, you can also access your wallet through a Google or Firefox browser extension, making it great if you need to send funds on the go.
The Jaxx developers never hold your private keys, as these are only stored on your device. Moreover, just like Exodus, there is a built-in ShapeShift API that lets you easily trade/swap coins directly from your wallet!
If you have read the guide from start to finish, you should now have a really good understanding of what a wallet is, how the technology works and what it can be used for.
You should also have a good idea of the different types of wallets available on the market. As you now know, different wallet types suit different needs.
What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
Bitcoin’s most recent halving occurred on May 11, 2020. To explain what a Bitcoin halving is, we must first explain a bit about how the Bitcoin network operates.
Bitcoin’s underlying technology, blockchain, basically consists of a collection of computers (or nodes) that run Bitcoin’s software and contain a partial or complete history of transactions occurring on its network.
Each full node, or a node containing the entire history of transactions on Bitcoin, is responsible for approving or rejecting a transaction in Bitcoin’s network.
To do that, the node conducts a series of checks to ensure that the transaction is valid. These include ensuring that the transaction contains the correct validation parameters, such as nonces, and does not exceed the required length.
A transaction occurs only after all the parties operating in Bitcoin’s network approve it within the block on which the transaction exists. After approval, the transaction is appended to the existing blockchain and broadcast to other nodes.
The blockchain serves as a pseudonymous record of transactions (i.e., its contents are visible to everyone, but it is difficult to identify transacting parties in the network). This is because the blockchain assigns encrypted addresses to each transacting party in the network. That said, even those who do not participate in the network as a node or miner can view these transactions taking place live by looking at block explorers.
More computers (or nodes) added to the blockchain increase its stability and security.
There are currently 12,035 nodes estimated to be running Bitcoin’s code. Though anyone can participate in Bitcoin’s network as a node, as long as they have enough storage to download the entire blockchain and its history of transactions, not all of them are miners.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
A Bitcoin halving event is when the reward for mining bitcoin transactions is cut in half.
This event also cuts in half Bitcoin’s inflation rate and the rate at which new bitcoins enter circulation.
Both previous halvings have correlated with intense boom and bust cycles that have ended with higher prices than prior to the event.
Bitcoin last halved on May 11, 2020, around 3 p.m. EST, resulting in a block reward of 6.25 BTC.
Bitcoin Mining
Bitcoin mining is the process by which people use their computers to participate in Bitcoin’s blockchain network as a transaction processor and validator.
Bitcoin uses a system called proof of work (PoW). This means that miners must prove they have put forth effort in processing transactions to be rewarded. This effort includes the time and energy it takes to run the computer hardware and solve complex equations.
Faster computers with certain types of hardware yield larger block rewards and some companies have designed computer chips specifically built for mining. These computers are tasked with processing Bitcoin transactions, and they are rewarded for doing so.
The term mining is not used in a literal sense but as a reference to the way precious metals are gathered.
Bitcoin miners solve mathematical problems and confirm the legitimacy of a transaction. They then add these transactions to a block and create chains of these blocks of transactions, forming the blockchain.
When a block is filled up with transactions, the miners that processed and confirmed the transactions within the block are rewarded with bitcoins.
Transactions of greater monetary value require more confirmations to ensure security. This process is called mining because the work performed to get new bitcoins out of the code is the digital equivalent to the physical work done to pull gold out of the Earth.
El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender on June 9, 2021. It is the first country to do so. The cryptocurrency can be used for any transaction where the business can accept it. The U.S. dollar continues to be El Salvador’s primary currency.
Bitcoin Halving
After every 210,000 blocks mined, or roughly every four years, the block reward given to Bitcoin miners for processing transactions is cut in half.
This cuts in half the rate at which new bitcoins are released into circulation. This is Bitcoin’s way of using a synthetic form of inflation that halves every four years until all bitcoins are released into circulation.
This system will continue until around the year 2140.
At that point, miners will be rewarded with fees for processing transactions, which network users will pay. These fees ensure that miners still have the incentive to mine and keep the network going. The idea is that competition for these fees will cause them to remain low after the halvings are finished.
The halving is significant because it marks another drop in the rate of new Bitcoins being produced as it approaches its finite supply: the total maximum supply of bitcoins is 21 million. As of October 2021, there are about 18.85 million bitcoins already in circulation, leaving just around 2.15 million left to be released via mining rewards.
In 2009, the reward for each block in the chain mined was 50 bitcoins. After the first halving, it was 25, and then 12.5, and then it became 6.25 bitcoins per block as of May 11, 2020.
To put this in another context, imagine if the amount of gold mined out of the Earth was cut in half every four years. If gold’s value is based on its scarcity, then a “halving” of gold output every four years would theoretically drive its price higher.
Coin Metrics logarithmic chart of Bitcoin price action following halvings.
Halving Implications
These halvings reduce the rate at which new coins are created and thus lower the available amount of new supply, even as demand might increase.
This can cause some implications for investors as other assets with low or finite supply, like gold, can have high demand and push prices higher.
In the past, these Bitcoin halvings have correlated with massive surges in Bitcoin’s price.
The first halving, which occurred on Nov. 28, 2012, saw an increase from $12 to $1,217 on Nov. 28, 2013.
The second Bitcoin halving occurred on July 9, 2016. The price at that halving was $647, and by Dec. 17, 2017, a bitcoin’s price had soared to $19,800. The price then fell over the course of a year from this peak down to $3,276 on Dec. 17, 2018, a price 506% higher than its pre-halving price.
The most recent halving occurred on May 11, 2020. On that date, a bitcoin’s price was $8,787. On April 14, 2021, a bitcoin’s price soared to $64,507 (an astonishing 634% increase from its pre-halving price). A month later, on May 11, 2021, a bitcoin’s price was $54,276, representing a 517% increase that seems more consistent with the behavior of the 2016 halving.
On May 12, 2021, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, announced that Tesla would no longer accept Bitcoin as payment, resulting in further price fluctuations.
In the week that followed Musk’s statements, the price of a bitcoin plunged below $40,000 after Chinese regulators announced restrictions banning financial institutions and payment companies from providing cryptocurrency-related services.
Though these two announcements may have temporarily created a price drop in Bitcoin, there is the potential that the price fluctuations are more related to the halving behavior we have observed previously.
The theory of the halving and the chain reaction that it sets off works something like this:
The reward is halved → half the inflation → lower available supply → higher demand → higher price → miners incentive still remains, regardless of smaller rewards, as the value of Bitcoin is increased in the process
In the event that a halving does not increase demand and price, then miners would have no incentive. The reward for completing transactions would be smaller, and the value of Bitcoin would not be high enough.
To prevent this, Bitcoin has a process to change the difficulty it takes to get mining rewards, or in other words, the difficulty of mining a transaction.
In the event that the reward has been halved, and the value of Bitcoin has not increased, the difficulty of mining would be reduced to keep miners incentivized.
This means that the quantity of bitcoins released as a reward is still smaller, but the difficulty of processing a transaction is reduced.
This process has proved successful twice. So far, the result of these halvings has been a ballooning in price followed by a large drop.
The crashes that have followed these gains, however, have still maintained prices higher than before these halving events.
For example, as mentioned above, the 2017 to 2018 bubble saw the value of a bitcoin rise to around $20,000, only to fall to around $3,200. This is a massive drop, but a bitcoin’s price before the halving was around $650.3
Though this system has worked so far, the halving is typically surrounded by immense speculation, hype, and volatility, and how the market will react to these events in the future is unpredictable.
The third halving occurred not only during a global pandemic, but also in an environment of heightened regulatory speculation, increased institutional interest in digital assets, and celebrity hype. Given these additional factors, where Bitcoin’s price will ultimately settle in the aftermath remains unclear.
What Happens When Bitcoin Halves?
The term “halving” as it relates to Bitcoin has to do with how many Bitcoin tokens are found in a newly created block.
Back in 2009, when Bitcoin launched, each block contained 50 BTC, but this amount was set to be reduced by 50% roughly every four years.
Today, there have been three halving events, and a block now only contains 6.25 BTC.
When the next halving occurs, a block will only contain 3.125 BTC.
When Have the Halvings Occurred?
The first bitcoin halving occurred on Nov. 28, 2012, after a total of 10,500,000 BTC had been mined. The next occurred on July 9, 2016, and the latest was on May 11, 2020. The next is expected to occur in early 2024.
Why Are the Halvings Occurring Less Than Every Four Years?
The Bitcoin mining algorithm is set with a target of finding new blocks once every 10 minutes.
However, if more miners join the network and add more hashing power, the time to find blocks will decrease.
This is remedied by resetting the mining difficulty (or how hard it is for a computer to solve the mining algorithm) once every two weeks or so to restore a 10-minute target.
As the Bitcoin network has grown exponentially over the past decade, the average time to find a block has consistently remained below 10 minutes (roughly 9.5 minutes).
Does Halving Have Any Effect on the Bitcoin Price?
The price of Bitcoin has risen steadily and significantly from its launch in 2009, when it traded for mere pennies or dollars, to April 2021 when the price of one bitcoin traded for over $63,000.3
Because halving the block reward effectively doubles the cost to miners, who are essentially the producers of bitcoins, it should have a positive impact on price because producers will need to adjust their selling price to their costs.
Empirical evidence does show that Bitcoin prices tend to rise in anticipation of a halvening, often several months prior to the actual event.
What Happens When There Are No More Bitcoins Left in a Block?
Around the year 2140, the last of the 21 million bitcoins ever to be mined will have been mined.
At this point, the halving schedule will cease because there will be no more new bitcoins to be found.
Miners, however, will still be incentivized to continue validating and confirming new transactions on the blockchain because the value of transaction fees paid to miners is expected to rise into the future, the reasons being that a greater transaction volume that has fees will be attached, plus bitcoins will have a greater nominal market value.
What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
How can I calculate how many hashes I generate per second?
I have a function which generates hashes from a string:
string GenerateHash(string plainText);
I generate as many hashes as possible with 4 threads.
How do I calculate how many hashes (or megahashes) I generate per second?
Your problem breaks down nicely into 3 separate tasks
Sharing a single count variable across threads
Benchmarking thread completion time
Calculating hashes per/second
Sharing a single count variable across threads
public static class GlobalCounter { public static int Value { get; private set; } public static void Increment() { Value =GetNextValue(Value); } private static int GetNextValue(int curValue) { returnInterlocked.Increment(ref curValue); } public static void Reset() { Value = 0; } }
Before you spin off the threads call GlobalCounter.Reset and then in each thread (after each successful hash) you would call GlobalCounter.Increment – using Interlocked.X performs atomic operations of Value in a thread-safe manner, it’s also much faster than lock.
Parallel.ForEach will block until all threads have finished
Calculating hashes per second
... sw.Stop(); var hashesPerSecond = GlobalCounter.Value / sw.Elapsed.Seconds;
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What Is Inflation? Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rate at which purchasing power drops can be reflected in the average price increase … Continue reading Learn about Inflation Folks!→
Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat it as if we would have another habitable sphere on wich to live, in … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
The Bretton Woods Conference, formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, was the gathering of 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations at the Mount Washington Hotel, situated in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, … Continue reading What is Bretton Woods ?!?→
A smart contract is a computerized transaction protocol that executes the terms of a contract. The general objectives of smart contract design are to satisfy common contractual conditions (such as payment terms, liens, confidentiality, and even … Continue reading Smart Contracts by Nick Szabo-1994→
20 Rules for Security in bitcoin Here’s a short list of common sense Rules, to use and implement for a better Security while using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In the hopes that they are quite self-explanatory … Continue reading 20 Security Rules for bitcoin→
Finance, like most human inventions, is constantly evolving.
In the beginning it was basic: food was traded for livestock, and livestock for resources like wood, or maize. It progressed to precious metal, such as silver and gold. And now, the next step in financial evolution has come to light.
This new form of currency has been constantly evolving over the past decade, developed by an unknown person and maintained by a collective group of the brightest minds in technology.
It’s a new form of money that is created and held digitally, and the most important part, of course, is that no government owns it, or decides its value – the peer-to-peer network community does.
We call this new money, ‘Bitcoin’.
Historically, U.S. currency has been based on gold – you could give a dollar to the bank and receive a set amount back in gold. In contrast, Bitcoin isn’t based on silver or gold – it’s based on mathematical proofs validated by a public ledger called blockchain technology.
Bitcoin is generated through a complex sequence of mathematical formulas that run on computers; the network shares a public ledger using blockchain technologies that record, and validate, every transaction processed.
A single institution, such as the government, does not control the Bitcoin network.
The idea behind the technology has always been – and remains – one of decentralization – that is, remaining completely independent of a central authority, like a bank, a government, or a country.
Anyone can access the open-source software that makes Bitcoin work, and its those individuals interested that maintain it.
But, who invented Bitcoin? Is it a valid and legitimate currency like USD? And why did nobody think of this before?
But before we begin, let’s talk about the creator of Bitcoin – or rather, the anonymous pseudonym that first published a concept.
How Did Bitcoin Start?
There are many questions about Bitcoin, but the most common one to be asked is, “Who created it?”
That answer is not straightforward, because the identity of the creator remains a mystery. All we have is a pseudonym – Satoshi Nakamoto.
The accounts are no longer active; the coins in his wallet have never been spent.
Satoshi Nakamoto has disappeared from the world, or so it would seem.
Fast Company recently published an article suggesting that Satoshi Nakamoto could be a group of people, including Neal King, Vladimir Oksman, and Charles Bry. Apparently, these three people filed for a patent related to secure communication just two months prior to the purchase of the Bitcoin.org domain. Perhaps it’s a coincidence; perhaps it’s not.
What we do have, however, are facts:
On October 31st, 2008, “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” was posted to a cryptography mailing list, published under the name “Satoshi Nakamoto”. The whitepaper outlined the foundation of how Bitcoin would operate.
On August 18, 2008, an unknown person or entity registered the Bitcoin.org domain.
On January 8th, 2009, the first version of Bitcoin is announced, and shortly thereafter, Bitcoin mining begins.
The mystery that surrounds Satoshi Nakamoto is fitting; privacy was a key value for both Bitcoin, and its users.
Others have tried to claim his mantle – most recently an Australian man named Craig Wright, who has since withdrawn his claim.
While we may never know who first created Bitcoin, we do know that the technology he started has left ripples in the financial industry.
Bitcoin has risen to fame thanks to individuals such as the Winklevoss twins controlling and growing the market, and major events that have defined this new technology’s existence such as the Mt. Gox Ponzi scheme disaster.
The people involved and the events that occur are a constant reminder that this market is unregulated and seem to fall in line with Satoshi Nakamoto’s goal of creating a decentralized network.
What is Bitcoin Used For?
Currency must have value to ensure stability.
The most common way for a person to judge a currency’s value is what they can use it on; Bitcoin is no different, and a host of vendors and merchants now accept it alongside, or in place of, fiat money.
One early adopter of Bitcoin was the computer retailer Dell. In fact, when Dell started accepting Bitcoin, it became one of the largest companies to do so internationally.
While the digital currency may total for just a fraction of the retailer’s total transaction volume, there are other key reasons why the growth of Bitcoin could be aboon for the retailer.
Dell reported earnings of $59 billion during 2015. Traditional transaction fees range from 2 to 3 percent of the purchase price – with Bitcoin, it’s much, much lower, nearing non-existent – saving the retailer a lot of money in the future.
Other companies, such as Expedia and Cheapair, have also started accepting Bitcoin, along with technology conglomerate Microsoft : users can add funds to their accounts with Bitcoin to purchase apps, games, and other types of digital content.
The acceptance of Bitcoin is a strategic decision on the part of these companies, most of which are reaching out to solidify their position with tech-savvy audiences.
There’s a lot of benefit to Bitcoin, and a variety of reasons for its use, including :
Faster Payment: Accepting wire transfers and checks is time consuming, and it can take several days for payment to clear. Bitcoin is faster and can take a matter of minutes, rather than days to process payment.
Lower Transaction Fees: The cost to accept Bitcoins is lower compared to other payment methods, such as credit cards or Paypal.
Independent of Governments: Since Bitcoin is decentralized, you own it – no authority has the right to take away your Bitcoin. People with concerns about mainstream banking systems unravelling find this a major benefit.
Elimination of Chargebacks: Once Bitcoin is sent, that’s it – you can’t chargeback, like you would with a credit card payment, which eliminates ‘chargeback fraud’ often used by criminals and scammers.
Protection Against Inflation: With a fiat currency, the government can print as much money as it desires – this drastically decreases the value of currency, and may result in inflation. In contrast, Bitcoin has a fixed number – after they have all been ‘mined’, no more Bitcoins will be created. Scarcity is an important aspect of currency which protects it from inflation.
Ownership of Currency: With Bitcoin, you own your coins. With other forms of digital fiat – such as Paypal – your assets may be held, and your account eventually suspending, locking you out of your earnings. Bitcoin puts you in control.
Is Bitcoin a Commodity, or a Currency?
Bitcoin is both. While it can be used to purchase items from major retailers, it’s also treated as property by government jurisdictions, such as the IRS.
The IRS issued a guide on Bitcoin for tax purposes, stating it will treat virtual currencies as property for federal purposes. They go on to state that:
In some environments, virtual currency operates like “real” currency — i.e., the coin and paper money of the United States or of any other country that is designated as legal tender, circulates, and is customarily used and accepted as a medium of exchange in the country of issuance — but it does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction.
The notice provides that virtual currency is treated as property for U.S. federal tax purposes.
Typically, property is almost always something tangible that can be held in the physical realm.
The IRS goes on to state that:
General tax principles that apply to property transactions apply to transactions using virtual currency. Among other things, this means that:
Wages paid to employees using virtual currency are taxable to the employee, must be reported by an employer on a Form W-2, and are subject to federal income tax withholding and payroll taxes.
Payments using virtual currency made to independent contractors and other service providers are taxable and self-employment tax rules generally apply. Normally, payers must issue Form 1099.
The character of gain or loss from the sale or exchange of virtual currency depends on whether the virtual currency is a capital asset in the hands of the taxpayer.
A payment made using virtual currency is subject to information reporting to the same extent as any other payment made in property.
Bitcoin has garnered a lot of attention over the past decade, despite constant declarations of its death – 99 Bitcoins keeps a running tab of ‘Bitcoin obituaries’.
Despite all of this, Bitcoin’s future has remained bright. Greater adoption rates, and an increasing number of brands accepting the currency (you can get a full list qui) means the long-term view on Bitcoin is that it will see market maturity as time progresses.
Mainstream investing vehicles, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and Futures trading, including Bitcoin will be a major help to reaching that market maturity. Bitcoin Futures are already trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), and legislation to create a crypto ETF is in the works.
These securities will help stabilize cryptocurrency prices and mitigate volatility, which will help the public’s confidence grow in favor of Bitcoin.
It’s important to understand that, much like the early days of 1992, Bitcoin is a new technology – and new technologies can take decades to reach critical mass.
But, much like the Internet, no one wants to miss out on the ‘next big thing’ – and Bitcoin is the biggest thing yet. Constant updates are occurring to Bitcoin thanks to what is called a “hard fork”.
These constant updates ensure that digital currencies continue to experience growth through technological development.
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Hy there my fellow citizens of this amazingly beautiful Mother Earth of… Not Ours !!! We tend to forget that and treat … Continue reading Free Spirit’s Library→
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Open Source JavaScript Client-Side Bitcoin Wallet Generator
A Bitcoin wallet is as simple as a single pairing of a Bitcoin address with its corresponding Bitcoin private key. Such a wallet has been generated for you in your web browser and is displayed above.
To safeguard this wallet you must print or otherwise record the Bitcoin address and private key. It is important to make a backup copy of the private key and store it in a safe location. This site does not have knowledge of your private key. If you are familiar with PGP you can download this all-in-one HTML page and check that you have an authentic version from the author of this site by matching the SHA256 hash of this HTML with the SHA256 hash available in the signed version history document linked on the footer of this site. If you leave/refresh the site or press the “Generate New Address” button then a new private key will be generated and the previously displayed private key will not be retrievable. Your Bitcoin private key should be kept a secret. Whomever you share the private key with has access to spend all the bitcoins associated with that address. If you print your wallet then store it in a zip lock bag to keep it safe from water. Treat a paper wallet like cash.
Add funds to this wallet by instructing others to send bitcoins to your Bitcoin address.
Check your balance by going to blockchain.info or blockexplorer.com and entering your Bitcoin address.
Spend your bitcoins by going to blockchain.info and sweep the full balance of your private key into your account at their website. You can also spend your funds by downloading one of the popular bitcoin p2p clients and importing your private key to the p2p client wallet. Keep in mind when you import your single key to a bitcoin p2p client and spend funds your key will be bundled with other private keys in the p2p client wallet. When you perform a transaction your change will be sent to another bitcoin address within the p2p client wallet. You must then backup the p2p client wallet and keep it safe as your remaining bitcoins will be stored there. Satoshi advised that one should never delete a wallet.
Genesis Fire Protection > USA based fire protection company, fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems.
Gray and Sons > Online shop – Jewelry, Watches, and accessories.
Gyft > Buy, Send, & Redeem Gift Cards
HePays > dating website.
Hi-Tech > Computer service provider, website is very bad, probably they’re out of business.
Lamborghini Newport Beach > authorized dealership in Orange County providing Super Sports Cars to Southern California
Microsoft > you can charge your account with BTC
Mint > Finance service, all your finance in single place. “When you’re on top of your money, life is good. We help you effortlessly manage your finances in one place.”
Mosaika > Shop online for your jewelry, and pay with Bitcoin.
My Gemologist > Shop for jewelry, or CREATE your own design, and pay with bitcoin.
Namecheap > Domain Name Registrar
NewEgg > Online shop
OpenBazzar > Decentralized marketplace – Online eCommerce platform that unites buyers/sellers by virtue of the P2P/peer-to-peer network
Overstock > Online shop – designer brands and home goods
Piiko > Send money to your friends and family online or top up while travelling. Almost 600 providers from 137 countries. Pay with Bitcoin, Dash or Stellar at best rates possible.
Pizza for coins > Order Pizza online and pay with BTC
Pure VPN > VPN Service: Access US Netflix Instantly for just $2.87/m Making Security and Freedom Accessible for Anyone, Anywhere!
Purse > Online shop – buy from amazon using BTC and get a discount!
RandyBrito > Freelancer – A web developer with a passion for Bitcoin, Economics and freedom.
Reeds > USA based jewlery – Personally I like their goods (looks only, haven’ bought any yet)
Restaurants list > a map of USA restaurants that accept Bitcoin. (can anyone verify any of them?)
Sad Truth Supply > Pins, Patches, and other accessories for bitcoin.
Save the Children > Charity accepting BTC payment. P.S: probably you’ll need to contact them first to donate in bitcoin.
Silver.ag > Jewelry and Accessories for Bitcoin.
SoftRare > software solutions provider, probably out of business since their website has copyright logo for 2015
SteadyTurtle > Buy Hosting&Domain -I use them for years,great service.
Tanzanite America > North American member of The Tanzanite Authority, a group of like-minded collectors, investors, and who are dedicated to informing and supplying the very finest top quality AAA certified Tanzanite.
XBT Freelancer > Freelancing platform – Hire a freelancer or work as one, for bitcoins.
mclarennb > Authorized McLaren Dealer
List of stuff you can use bitcoin for.
Website – Information
4Chan > do we really need to tell you what this is??
ALFA Top > Top-up your mobile phone with bitcoin or other cryptocurrency
All4btc > Online shop – buy from Amazon, Dell, Ebay, and Lenovo using BTC
Altushost > Hosting service – VPS – dedicated – web hosting – SSL certificates …
Alza > Buy electronic/mobile phones/health&beauty and a lot more (EU based)
Apmex > Buy Gold/Silver/Platinum -Never try,but I think they have good reputation.
Bastone & Co. > Hand made collection shop.
Bit Market > list of store that accept bitcoin in Philippines
Bit Refill > Recharge prepaid phones with Bitcoin
Bit Watches > USA based Luxury watches store.
BitDials > Online shop – Buy watches and jewelry using BTC.
BitGigs > Gigs for bitcoins.
BitPay > bitcoin payment service provider
Bitcoin RealEstate > Buy Real Estate with cryptocurrency – Sell your property for Bitcoin
Bitcoin Travel > Travel agency – Book your flight/hotel using bitcoin.
Bitrefill > Top up your prepaid phone, over 140 countries supported.
CR Servers > Hosting service.
CallWithUs > VOIP service that accepts BTC, pay only for the calls you make! There are no recurring membership fees
CoinPayments > -Payment Gateway -Use them many time for different service.
CoinVet > Coinvet is the groundbreaking new jobs and gigs marketplace where the crowd helps you find the best professionals for your exact needs.
Compusleuth > technical support to recover, restore, search, and produce electronic information (is that still operating??)
Crypto Emporium > offer a huge variety of high-end and luxury goods available for purchase in only cryptocurrency, no fiat.
CryptoGrind > Freelancing platform – Hire a freelancer or work as one, for bitcoins.
Echristopher and sons > Shop online for your jewelry and pay with Bitcoin.
Genesis Fire Protection > USA based fire protection company, fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems.
Gray and Sons > Online shop – Jewelry, Watches, and accessories.
Gyft > Buy, Send, & Redeem Gift Cards
HePays > dating website.
Hi-Tech > Computer service provider, website is very bad, probably they’re out of business.
Lamborghini Newport Beach > authorized dealership in Orange County providing Super Sports Cars to Southern California
Microsoft > you can charge your account with BTC
Mint > Finance service, all your finance in single place. “When you’re on top of your money, life is good. We help you effortlessly manage your finances in one place.”
Mosaika > Shop online for your jewelry, and pay with Bitcoin.
My Gemologist > Shop for jewelry, or CREATE your own design, and pay with bitcoin.
Namecheap > Domain Name Registrar
NewEgg > Online shop
OpenBazzar > Decentralized marketplace – Online eCommerce platform that unites buyers/sellers by virtue of the P2P/peer-to-peer network
Overstock > Online shop – designer brands and home goods
Piiko > Send money to your friends and family online or top up while travelling. Almost 600 providers from 137 countries. Pay with Bitcoin, Dash or Stellar at best rates possible.
Pizza for coins > Order Pizza online and pay with BTC
Pure VPN > VPN Service: Access US Netflix Instantly for just $2.87/m Making Security and Freedom Accessible for Anyone, Anywhere!
Purse > Online shop – buy from amazon using BTC and get a discount!
RandyBrito > Freelancer – A web developer with a passion for Bitcoin, Economics and freedom.
Reeds > USA based jewlery – Personally I like their goods (looks only, haven’ bought any yet)
Restaurants list > a map of USA restaurants that accept Bitcoin. (can anyone verify any of them?)
Sad Truth Supply > Pins, Patches, and other accessories for bitcoin.
Save the Children > Charity accepting BTC payment. P.S: probably you’ll need to contact them first to donate in bitcoin.
Silver.ag > Jewelry and Accessories for Bitcoin.
SoftRare > software solutions provider, probably out of business since their website has copyright logo for 2015
SteadyTurtle > Buy Hosting&Domain
Tanzanite America > North American member of The Tanzanite Authority, a group of like-minded collectors, investors, and who are dedicated to informing and supplying the very finest top quality AAA certified Tanzanite. (first time to hear of tanzanite to be honest, but they look cool)
XBT Freelancer > Freelancing platform – Hire a freelancer or work as one, for bitcoins.
mclarennb > Authorized McLaren Dealer
schwartzkopff>
KFC Canada > Hunger no more, get your KFC for BTC.
Subway restaurant > Eat healthy, with bitcoins too.
CheapAir > Cheap Airline Tickets, Airfares & Discount Air Tickets
Alza > Largest Czech online retailer accepting BTC.
Pembury Tavern > Snap up a pint in Britain’s first Bitcoin pub.
FC Canada > Hunger no more, get your KFC for BTC.
Subway restaurant > Eat healthy, with bitcoins too.
CheapAir > Cheap Airline Tickets, Airfares & Discount Air Tickets
Alza > Largest Czech online retailer accepting BTC.
Pembury Tavern > Snap up a pint in Britain’s first Bitcoin pub. “
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BitHouse 