Bitcoin
Out of context: Reply #183
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- CableStudios0
^^^^^^^
Bitcoin is just like all other digital currencies; nothing new
Nearly all other digital currencies are centrally controlled. This means that:
They can be printed at the subjective whims of the controllers
They can be destroyed by attacking the central point of control
Arbitrary rules can be imposed upon their users by the controllers
Being decentralized, Bitcoin solves all of these problems.
Bitcoins don't solve any problems that fiat currency and/or gold doesn't solveUnlike gold, bitcoins are:
Easy to transfer
Easy to secure
Easy to verify
Easy to granulate
Unlike fiat currencies, bitcoins are:
Predictable and limited in supply
Not controlled by a central authority (such as The United States Federal Reserve)
Not debt-based
Unlike electronic fiat currency systems, bitcoins are:
Potentially anonymous
Freeze-proof
Faster to transfer
Cheaper to transfer
Bitcoin is backed by processing powerIt is not correct to say that Bitcoin is "backed by" processing power. A currency being "backed" means that it is pegged to something else via a central party at a certain exchange rate yet you cannot exchange bitcoins for the computing power that was used to create them. Bitcoin is in this sense not backed by anything. It is a currency in its own right. Just as gold is not backed by anything, the same applies to Bitcoin.
The Bitcoin currency is created via processing power, and the integrity of the block chain is protected by the existence of a network of powerful computing nodes from certain attacks.
Bitcoins are worthless because they aren't backed by anythingOne could argue that gold isn't backed by anything either. Bitcoins have properties resulting from the system's design that allows them to be subjectively valued by individuals. This valuation is demonstrated when individuals freely exchange for or with bitcoins. Please refer to the: