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Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 4:37pm On May 25, 2017
https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-ethereum-ripple-three-reasons-to-consider-investing-in-cryptocurrency

Read this.

Bitcoin is beginning to seem like a viable currency, especially since reaching the $2,000 mark. Major setbacks, such as the loss of $480 mln due to Mt. Gox’s neglectful management of Bitcoins, have caused the cryptocurrency to plummet in the past. Slowly but surely, the first-ever Blockchain currency has climbed back.

Presently, Bitcoin is performing better than it ever has. Early in 2017, Bitcoin price hit historic highs, surpassing the value of gold. Nearly a decade after Bitcoin’s quiet release, dozens of copycat currencies have arisen. Utilizing Blockchain, a public database or ledger that records transactions involving encrypted keys, developers are vying to improve the original digital currency.

A few, namely Ripple and Ethereum, have proved to be exceptional competitors. Indeed, the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance was formed by “Fortune 500 enterprises, startups, academics, and technology vendors” to establish standard practices for the use of the platform/currency hybrid “at the speed of business.”

You may shy away from joining speculators on the ups and downs of the cryptocurrency markets. However, there are a few strong cases for investment.

Here are three reasons to consider investing in cryptocurrency:

1. Bitcoin is experiencing massive growth

By far the most popular digital currency is the progenitor of Blockchain technology. Bitcoin owns the lion’s share of the emerging market. Its trading volume is much larger than any other competing currency and its valuation is many times more than the second cryptocurrency of choice, Ethereum. Wider adoption and regular mainstream coverage have elevated Bitcoin from an intriguing security experiment to a possible real-world asset.

Additionally, Bitcoin’s exponential growth may portend good things for Blockchain currency in general. After a few major cases of theft for both Bitcoin and Ethereum, trust in the currency seems to be rebounding.

Some believe the cryptocurrency is a bubble about to burst, but contentious political and economic conditions could push the price up even further.

2. Ethereum is gaining traction

Ethereum is the silver to Bitcoin’s gold.

Although it currently sits at under $200 a unit, it’s the most viable alternative to the dominant cryptocurrency. In fact, the competing form of cash was crafted by one of Bitcoin’s co-founders.

Ethereum is both a platform that allows for the creation of decentralized applications and a currency. The currency, Ether, fuels the platform. Its incorporation of smart contracts, which allow for anonymous agreements on the Blockchain, spawned the DAO (decentralized autonomous organization).

The currency is more flexible for developers and has attracted major tech players, such as Intel and Microsoft.

3. It may see friendly regulation

The anonymity and lack of oversight concomitant with decentralized currency create opportunities for abuse. Certain alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins), ones that enforce private transactions and anonymous transfers, such as Zcash and Monero, have been used extensively by criminal organizations. Although altcoins like Monero have increased in value due to acceptance from darknet users, this illicit usage of cryptocurrency has dealt damage to overall adoption rates.

Thankfully, we may see tighter regulations. Ethereum famously experienced a massive theft of $53 mln in Ether due to an exploit in a smart contract. Theoretically, the Ethereum Blockchain is immutable. The community voted to override this “immutability” in order to return stolen funds.

Further, in 2013, a representative for the Bitcoin Foundation told US regulators that they would be open to transparent rulemaking. According to MarketWatch, digital currency advocates are pushing for more regulation.

With recent interests from Japan and Russia to legitimize Bitcoin, these rules and regulations could help further cryptocurrency as a legitimate finance asset.

Diversify
Blockchain technology has the capability to change everything. The currencies running on the distributed ledger model could revolutionize how we interact with all forms of liquidity. While it is unlikely that fiat currency will be subsumed or overtaken by the digital mint, it’s quite possible that these currencies will see greater integration with our current systems.

At the very least, cryptocurrency is seeing a meteoric rise in the short-term. What the future holds for digital currency is uncertain. Currently, there is a cautious sort of endorsement for Bitcoin and Ethereum. Some speculators are pouring their cash into speedier alternatives, such as Litecoin and Dash. Still, most remain hesitant about moving their assets into an unbacked, unregulated currency.

Although the Bitcoin ETF was recently shot down by the SEC, there is still plenty of reason to diversify your portfolio with a small investment in decentralized digital currency. As time has worn on, cryptocurrency has steadily risen in price and has experienced wider adoption.

To be sure, there has also been a great deal of volatility concomitant with Bitcoin’s rise. Valuation specialists continue to have trouble pinpointing the exact value of the currency itself and sentiment can vary wildly. Still, market capitalizations continue to grow.

If you are able to steel yourself against booms and busts, you may profit from cautious investment. Continue to do your due diligence. If you remain uncertain, consider consulting a financial analyst. Remember to monitor updates, vigilantly investigating changes in sentiment.

As always, be prepared to lose any amount you put into a speculative investment. Dedicating yourself to mindful investing will undoubtedly lead to the best result - especially in a market as volatile as the cryptocurrency market.

......
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2 Likes

Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 2:54pm On Jun 13, 2017
Just earned 1.05% on my #bitcoin today. What's in your wallet?
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by Razphils1986(m): 1:45am On Jun 15, 2017
mertzfrederick70@gmail.com
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 10:19pm On Jun 24, 2017
Like Internet, Blockchain is Encroaching into Every Part of Human Existence

https://cointelegraph.com/news/like-internet-blockchain-is-encroaching-into-every-part-of-human-existence

Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt and overcome all technological boundaries. Its inherent characteristics have made it much desired within several industries where data management is of utmost importance.

Fundamental aspects of the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies and assets are causing people to re-imagine and then enact new ways of creating and exchanging value online. Almost every industry is experiencing some form of disruption in terms of how data is managed.

Some of the qualities of the Blockchain that has endeared it to most technological processes include:

Immutability
Information stored on the Blockchain cannot be changed. Therefore, the need for trust or extra verification of authenticity of data stored on the Blockchain is totally eliminated.

Security
The Blockchain is not a centralized system. In essence, information stored on the Blockchain is preserved and protected by all the participating computers across the globe.

Therefore, in order to hack the system, a hacker must break through a majority of the participating computers simultaneously. This is a practically impossible task.

Decentralized control
The Blockchain offers individuals the ability to be able to control their own resources (both tangible and intangible). Since there is no central point of control, every participant on the Blockchain retains power and control over their data.

The peer-to-peer nature of transactions enables parties to transact directly with each other on their own terms. This eliminates middlemen or intermediaries from interfering.

Capacity and speed

Having numerous computers contributing to the network offers more power and storage space on the Blockchain when compared to centralized servers. This enables improved efficiency of processes during transactions and data management.

So many industries are presently experiencing significant changes as Blockchain solutions are continually being introduced to enhance more efficient functions. Some of these industries include:

Voting
Christopher Franko, CEO of Borderless Corporation, tells Cointelegraph that voting is one of the very few use cases that could really benefit from immutable record keeping, and aside from currency and value transactions.

Franko names such benefits of using Blockchain for storing votes to include:

• Increased accessibility and participation;
• Prevent voter fraud with public accountability;
• Voters rights can be managed instantly and globally;
• Elections are secured electronically with cryptography; and

• Votes are tallied on the fly so recounts are a thing of the past.

Real Estate
According to the CSO of Bitland, Larry Christopher Bates, Blockchain is disrupting the real estate industry, which has remained largely unchanged for the last century. Blockchain is reducing overhead, making transactions quicker, making the job of notarization much easier and increasing the efficiency of real estate transactions.

Attention economy

Content creation and distribution equity have remained under the control of centralized servers managed by corporations like Google. Blockchain startup Synereo has developed WildSpark, a meta-layer for equitable, decentralized content creation and distribution platform.


Remittance
CEO of Netcoins, Michael Vogel, explains how remittance is one of the primary industries being disrupted by Blockchain.

Vogel explains that Western Union, the dominant player in remittance, charges over 10 percent in some cases while Bitcoin-based remittance (even just using Bitcoin behind the scenes, and converting between Bitcoin to fiat currencies) enables the same service to be performed at an ultra-low cost.

Recruitment and HR
Employers are faced with the challenge of the authenticity of qualifications posted online by applicants when trying to recruit workers.

The immutability of data stored on the Blockchain prevents any form of alteration by applicants seeking employment.

This is an aspect of the Blockchain explored by recruitment companies in matching students seeking part-time jobs with available opportunities in their areas of specialization.

Several other industries are also experiencing Blockchain disruption. They include healthcare, insurance, education, telecommunications, entertainment, among others.

Just like the Internet, it may only be a matter of time before Blockchain encroaches into every part of human existence.

Blockchain is a technology that powers cryptocurrency. The most notable cryptocurrency is bitcoin.

2 Likes

Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 2:32pm On Jun 25, 2017
What if I could show you a #bitcoin program that pays 1% on average daily 5 days a week, and it only takes $60 (N23,600) to get started.

No Selling or Recruiting Necessary.

Have you seen any banks able to do this with your money? Not me!!

Plus, in my opinion Bitcoin may hit $5K by year end so your earnings compound as the Bitcoin price increases. Interested?

2 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by sammi21(m): 4:08pm On Jun 25, 2017
What do you think about Ripple,I intend investing on that...I need honest advice on Ripple..
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 10:52am On Jun 26, 2017
Ripple is an entirely new kind of cryptocurrency. Instead of exchanging Ripple directly for goods and services, as with a traditional currency, the Ripple currency is a medium for converting any currency instantly into any other one, without relying on a central exchange. Because of this unique architecture, there are no retailers who directly accept XRP, but Ripple does have the potential to allow for more trade in many existing currencies.

Rather than relying on proof-of-work or proof-of-stake to verify transactions, Ripple uses a unique consensus system. In a consensus system, whatever the majority of computers on the network see happen is what gets recorded in the ledger. The advantages of a consensus system are clear: it requires relatively little energy to run and processes transactions more quickly than a proof-of-work system. This system is not perfectly reliable as it can be compromised by network lag or malicious users, but when an unreliable result is reported, the system is designed to reject it and start again, preserving the security of the system at the cost of a slight delay in service.

Ripple's most striking feature is that it doesn't care what currency you're offering or what currency you're looking for. Ripple supports token representations of almost every currency, including fiat currencies, like dollars and Yen, and cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoins, and specialized currencies like air miles and reward points. Because these tokens are essentially electronic IOUs, however, this system requires that users trust each other to actually pay the funds they owe. This is less risky than it sounds – users can specify who they trust on the network and exactly how much of each type of currency they trust them to handle. When a user attempts a transaction, Ripple then works to find a path between the parties where each step is a link between two people who trust each other.

To get non-Ripple currencies onto the Ripple network, users trust their real-world funds to special users called Gateways. Gateways work very similarly to PayPal: you give U.S. dollars to PayPal, and then the company acts as an intermediary to allow you to send your money over the internet. The difference is that PayPal is a centralized agent, charges a significant commission and is far less flexible in terms of what currencies you can trade in.

Ripple has already gained a significant following. It has the second highest market capitalization of any cryptocurrency, and its value seems to be increasing. Because of its design, Ripple will never completely replace analog currencies, but the payment network that supports it has the potential to change the way business is done globally.

sammi21:
What do you think about Ripple,I intend investing on that...I need honest advice on Ripple..

1 Like

Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 7:59pm On Jun 27, 2017
https://cointelegraph.com/news/five-reasons-why-bitcoin-is-here-to-stay

A major issue hindering Bitcoin is uncertainty about its future. The debate is over whether Bitcoin will be a successful long run innovation or fizzle out like so many prior innovations.

It is possible to make a relatively accurate prediction about the future of Bitcoin by analyzing five factors successfully used by technology adoption experts for decades: relative advantage, compatibility with other innovations, experience through trialability, complexity and observability.

These factors, derived from the classic work of innovation diffusion theorist Everett Rogers, when combined with features unique to Bitcoin, suggest that Bitcoin is here to stay..

Relative advantage
Relative advantage in the field of innovation is defined as the improvements of a product as compared to its predecessors. Improvements include, but are not limited to, economic or social advantages measured in time, convenience, satisfaction or monetary benefits.

Specific examples could be better service, consolidation of multiple functions into one tool, empowerment of users, improved interface, increased productivity, reduced user effort, saving money, saving space or storage and saving time.

A major advantage Bitcoin has over other payment systems is that Bitcoin has a decentralized ledger. A decentralized ledger means that a single party is no longer in control of the records of previous transactions. A centralized ledger has vulnerabilities that a decentralized ledger doesn’t have.

Another advantage Bitcoin has over its predecessors is lower transaction costs. Other payment systems have to go through a third-party as previously mentioned. Bitcoin is decentralized so there are no third-party transaction costs, meaning lower costs to merchants and less expensive remittances sent abroad. Global users without access to traditional bank accounts may also benefit.

Bitcoin users, unlike users of more traditional currencies, do not have to be concerned about inflation eroding the value of their currency as Bitcoin will only ever issue 21 mln coins. Inflation is created when the central bank issues more paper money usually in an effort to combat recessions. Offsetting these advantages is a current lack of ease of use, as Bitcoin transactions in payment systems are limited in many regions.

Compatibility
Compatibility is defined as an innovation that requires an adopter to make few, if any, alterations in their lives in order to use the innovation.

A compatible innovation is consistent with past experiences and needs of adopters. For example, one reason the iPhone was a success was that customers had many devices that performed the same functions as the iPhone. The iPhone just incorporated all of those functions.

It appears that Bitcoin is a compatible innovation. An adopter only requires the use of a cell phone with Internet service in order to gain access to Bitcoin. An adopter doesn’t require any alterations in his or her life in order to use Bitcoin.

Trialability
This characteristic refers to the degree in which the innovation can be experienced firsthand on a limited basis. Bitcoin access has rapidly evolved since the original Nakamoto paper.

Today, digital currency ATMs are rapidly expanding in many locations, offering novice users the option to buy and sell small amounts of Bitcoin and other currencies at a user-friendly ATM.

Exchanges are also more numerous and allow users to participate in the digital currency arena with small investments often using a credit card. Direct purchases using Bitcoin are less common but are increasing in many countries.

Complexity
Rogers’ research indicated that innovations that were simpler in nature had a greater chance of success than more complex innovations. This does not necessarily mean that an innovation has a simplistic underpinning, but rather that an innovation can be readily understood and is user-friendly for the target audience.

In the case of Bitcoin, the underlying Blockchain programming is very sophisticated, but consumers who are familiar with the Internet, graphical user interfaces and mobile banking can easily grasp the consumer end of the Bitcoin transactions.

A combination of technologies makes the Bitcoin transactions less intimidating for even novice users. Still, some users may be reluctant to adopt Bitcoin without understanding the underlying framework.

Observability
Observability is defined as an innovation whose benefits are apparently obvious to non-users of the innovation, for example, the vacuum cleaner versus the broom.

The observability factor in relation to Bitcoin is less clear. In the United States, Bitcoin can only be used as a medium of exchange in limited places making it hard to be observed.

However, there are countries such as Japan where Bitcoin can be used as a medium of exchange more easily and has more opportunity to be observed.

In addition, Bitcoin has been discussed more and more often in the news, leading to more information about benefits to potential users.

Other factors
Emerging Competitors


Bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency on the market. Other imitators such as Ethereum have appeared and corporate interest in digital currencies has increased. It could be argued that the imitators might ultimately outcompete Bitcoin and render it irrelevant. This happens when an imitator is clearly superior. However, the emergence of imitators is an indication competitors believe that cryptocurrency is here to stay.

Regulation

Bitcoin is a virtual currency and existing monetary regulations haven’t quite caught up to it. More and more countries are applying previous regulation to Bitcoin or creating new regulations specifically for Bitcoin. This is another sign that digital currency is more than a passing fad.

Global expansion

In some areas, Bitcoin could replace real currency for several reasons. There are areas in Africa where the banking system is not well developed. Bitcoin just requires a cell phone and Internet access and it could easily become a de facto banking service. In addition, in many countries, citizens generally view the government backed currency as unreliable for various reasons, such as corruption or a poor economy. They may turn to Bitcoin because due to its decentralized nature, it isn’t subject to the effects of corruption or a poorly managed economy.

So yes, Bitcoin is here to stay
It seems likely that Bitcoin is an innovation that is here to stay rather than just a fad. Factors such as relative advantage, compatibility and trialability argue strongly in favor of Bitcoin adoption.

Complexity and observability factors offer weaker support at the present time, but as digital currencies continue to attract attention, these factors should more strongly favor Bitcoin adoption. Based on these five factors, it seems that Bitcoin is probably here to stay.

If other factors such as emerging competitors, regulation and global expansion are also considered, then Bitcoin is still more likely than not to be a lasting innovation.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by jamsproject: 12:30pm On Jun 28, 2017
After my first purchase of BTC at Paxful, I buy bitcoins on a monthly basis, even now.
I just buy and HODL(Hold on for dear life) LOL!

But seriously my first 3 btc purchases was tripled!
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 3:09pm On Jun 28, 2017
If you buy and hold Its a good thing. You should think seriously about security. Consider Hardware Wallet or cold storage. These are the safest options for those holding for long term.


jamsproject:
After my first purchase of BTC at Paxful, I buy bitcoins on a monthly basis, even now.
I just buy and HODL(Hold on for dear life) LOL!

But seriously my first 3 btc purchases was tripled!

1 Like

Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by Mathias2015(m): 7:47pm On Jun 28, 2017
Do You trade ecurrencies?
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 7:51pm On Jun 28, 2017
I do, but I am not a day or marginal trader. My Job is demands more of my time.
But I invest world class company that trades, they share profits daily. So far I am comfortable what what I get.


Mathias2015:
Do You trade ecurrencies?
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by timzyrhymes(m): 10:26pm On Jun 28, 2017
amjustme2:
What if I could show you a #bitcoin program that pays 1% on average daily 5 days a week, and it only takes $60 (N23,600) to get started.

No Selling or Recruiting Necessary.

Have you seen any banks able to do this with your money? Not me!!

Plus, in my opinion Bitcoin may hit $5K by year end so your earnings compound as the Bitcoin price increases. Interested?
. am interered
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 10:29pm On Jun 28, 2017
Email me or join my mailing list.

timzyrhymes:
. am interered
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 12:01pm On Jun 29, 2017
Europe's Second Largest Port Launches Blockchain Logistics Pilot
http://www.coindesk.com/europes-second-largest-port-launches-blockchain-logistics-pilot/

The second largest port in Europe by container capacity is now running a pilot blockchain project focused on logistics automation.

Belgium-based Port of Antwerp has announced that it is looking to use the tech to automate and streamline the terminal's container logistics operations. The test is being conducted in conjunction with a blockchain startup called T-Mining.

The goal, port authorities said in a new release, is to speed up the interactions between port customers to prevent the malicious manipulation of data.

According to the terminal authority, moving containers from point to point often involves more than 30 different parties, including carriers, terminals, forwarders, haulers, drivers, shippers and more. This process results in hundreds of interactions between those parties, conducted through a mix of e-mail, phone and fax.

"The paperwork accounts for up to half of the cost of container transport," the authority noted.

The trial is the latest to center around shipping logistics and involve a notable player in the global terminal industry.

According to data from the World Shipping Council, the Port of Antwerp ranked fourteenth globally among container ports by terminal capacity in 2015. It's also the second largest in Europe after Rotterdam, which has been testing blockchain for logistical purposes as well.

And as CoinDesk reported earlier this year, Danish shipping giant Maersk completed its first live blockchain trial designed to simplify the shipping of trillions of dollars of goods around the world – signaling that it's not just the ports themselves that want to integrate blockchain into the shipping process.

*****
Blockchain should top the list of The most disruptive technology of 21st century
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 12:33pm On Jun 29, 2017
Singapore Central Bank Uses Ethereum to Digitalize National Currency

https://coinjournal.net/singapore-central-bank-uses-ethereum-digitalize-national-currency/

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the country’s central bank and financial regulator, has released a new report detailing Project Ubin, an initiative triggered last year aimed at developing a tokenized form of the Singapore dollar (SGD) on a distributed ledger.
Project Ubin
“Project Ubin: SGD on Distributed Ledger” report, via MAS

Project Ubin began in November 2016 when MAS announced a partnership with R3 to develop a proof-of-concept to conduct inter-bank payments facilitated by blockchain technology.

MAS said that the purpose here was to better understand blockchain and its potential benefits through practical experimentation. It noted that “digital central bank issued tokens” could enable the development of simpler to use and more efficient alternatives to today’s systems.

In Phase 1 of Project Ubin, which ran between November and December 2016, the project leveraged on MAS’s New MAS Electronic Payment System (MEPS+), a Real-Time Gross Settlement system (RTGS), to issue funds on a distributed ledger.

An Ethereum-based blockchain was designed to interface with the existing MEPS+ RTGS system, which allowed for a working integrated transfer prototype. The prototype was tested for the ability to transact 24/7, resilience against single points of failure, and timeliness of settlements.

The successful completion of Phase 1 was announced in March 2017.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 7:27am On Jun 30, 2017
BLOCKCHAIN: What Does the Future Hold?

https://www.comptia.org/about-us/newsroom/blog/comptia-blog/2017/06/23/blockchain-what-does-the-future-hold#

This month, CompTIA held a webinar titled, “Blockchain What Does the Future Hold?” hosted by David Logsdon, senior director for Federal Advocacy at CompTIA who handles our New and Emerging Technologies portfolio.

Logsdon discussed how Blockchains have emerged as one of the next big transformation technologies being considered for government to provide citizens with easy, online access to services and transaction.  In fact, the issue of Blockchain is quickly gaining interest amongst several different communities.  A few months ago, Reps. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) officially launched the Blockchain Caucus.  The first meeting of the Caucus took place on June 19th, areas of focus included:

- Digital Identity Guidelines
- Enrollment and Identity Proofing
- Authentication and Lifecycle Management
- Federation and Assertions

Logsdon also said the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is also taking a long look at Blockchain.  DARPA has already made some significant investments in the sector to develop blockchain based security systems. To accelerate research and development in the area, the agency has extended its support to many startups.   According to a DARPA project manager Tim Booher, the use of blockchain technology will potentially eliminate cyber-attacks like code injection.

Guest speakers included two of the industry’s leading blockchain experts: Andre de Castro, founder and CEO of the BlockChain of Things; and Joel Waterfield, Managing Director at Grant Thornton where he is the resident tax expert.

David asked the speakers great questions and received insightful answers.  Some of those are summarized below.

What is Blockchain for the less experienced?

Joel Waterfield: It’s a public digital ledger in which transactions are made in some form of crypto currency and are recorded chronologically on a public ledger.  Think of spreadsheets that are duplicated thousands of times across a network of computers and then imagine that this network is designed to regularly update this spreadsheet and you have a basic understanding of blockchain.  Information held on a blockchain exists as a shared – and continually reconciled – database.  The blockchain database is not stored in a single location, meaning the records it keeps are truly public and easily verifiable.  No centralized version of this information exists for a hacker to corrupt. 

Blockchain has become immensely popular but what path did it take to get here?

Andre de Castro: To discuss the history, we need to discuss Bitcoin, the technology behind blockchain.  It may seem like a scary word since initially it received a lot of bad press.  One of the things we need to realize is that it was created by hackers and an anonymous person on the internet called Satoshi Nakamoto which everybody assumes was a pseudo name.  This individual/s has since disappeared.  In 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto released a whitepaper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” revealing his idea for a purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash to the world. In his vision, he manages to solve the problem of money being copied, providing a vital foundation for Bitcoin to grow legitimately. Essentially solving an unsolvable computer problem-- a technology that would stop the double send problem without an intermediary.  We have many different flavors of blockchains that are surfacing.  Up until today, we have one production blockchain – the global bitcoin blockchain.  Others that exist are being used from a cash perspective but most are considered test platforms. 

Can you provide us some examples of how Blockchain will affect current industries?

Joel Waterfield: I’d like to focus on the music and healthcare industries.  I’ve purchased music in many different formats— essentially, I pay rent for access to music.  While the accessibility has greatly improved, what’s plagued the music industry is that the artist is the last to get paid.  Typically, the artist is misinformed about the amount of sales so they never receive the proper amount of royalties. When we transition it to a blockchain format, a song can be given a digitized address and a smart contract which is a software program attached to the digitized address.  So, when a transaction occurs, payment is forwarded to the parties identified in the smart contract.  There is no middleman in this transaction.  Blockchain/bitcoin was created to give greater transparency to transactions.  In healthcare, if your medical records were on a blockchain in the form of an electronic medical record (EMR), you could give medical professionals, insurance companies, access to those records enabling secure lifetime medical record sharing across providers.

If Blockchain is based upon a decentralized ledger, how will the most centralized of entities (i.e., government) participate?

Joel Waterfield: I’d like to begin with a quote from U.K. Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock, “Blockchains – distributed ledgers, shared ledgers – are digital tools for building trust in data. Government cannot bury its head in the sand and ignore new technologies as they emerge.” The prime minister went on to say that in 2010, the internet had become the fabric of the U.K. but not the fabric of the government.  “Blockchain is about changing the business model. Not just about doing old things in new ways, but changing how we deliver for our customers: the citizens of this country.”  The UK is ahead in making use of blockchain and distributed ledger technology to reduce costs in operations including reducing fraud and errors in payment and providing greater transparency of transactions between government operations and citizens.  The U.K views Blockchain as a new way of doing things all together and I think the U.S. federal and state governments need to look at it this way too.


++++++
It's no longer a question of how, but when will the world start embracing it.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 8:43pm On Jun 30, 2017
Bitcoin accepted at New York pre-school

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40447963

The head of two Montessori schools in New York won't let parents pay by credit card - but he is accepting Bitcoin.
Marco Ciocca, co-founder and chairman of the Montessori Schools in Flatiron & Soho, added the option in June, after growing inquiries from parents.

The decision comes as an increasing number of places - including universities in London and Greece - take the digital currency as payment.
About 10 parents of the roughly 300 students have opted to pay in Bitcoin so far, Mr Ciocca said.
He predicts that number will rise in coming years.

"If we talk about just the sort of transactional ease... I think this form of payment will continue to grow," he said.
Bitcoin is a digital currency that was first used in the real world in 2010. As acceptance has grown, so has its value.
Bitcoin's worth has more than doubled since the start of the year and tops $2,500 (£1,900) today, according to CoinDesk, which tracks the currency.

Parents who invested early and have ridden the currency's rise get something like a discount on the school's hefty $31,000 tuition.
But Mr Ciocca said the school won't profit from up-and-downs in the market. Tuition payments in Bitcoin - they also accept some other digital currencies - get converted to cash instantly.

The decision to accept digital currencies matched the schools' identity as "forward-thinking" and appealed to a pool of families drawn from tech and finance worlds, Mr Ciocca said.

Bitcoin is also an easier way to process money than other kinds of payments, such as credit cards, he said.
"It's just a much more seamless transaction," he said.

More growth?
Mr Ciocca, who has followed the currencies for some time as an investor, plans to be part of that growth.
He's working to offer the option to parents at two sister schools run by his family in Miami, Florida, in September.
Angela Ciocca, Mr Ciocca's sister, is headmistress of the schools there. She said she's not expecting a lot of takers.
"It hasn't hit us yet," she said. "But I do see it a lot when I go to Manhattan."
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 9:21pm On Jul 01, 2017
There is a higher chance that BTC might take a big drop in the next few days

My advice is as follows! Get your fiat currency ready and be ready to buy on a cheap !
Just buy and don't ask too many questions !

It's an opportunity for people that missed the first wave.

Get ready to mop up
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 9:04pm On Jul 03, 2017
US Government to Host Federal Blockchain Forum

https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-government-to-host-federal-blockchain-forum

The US government announces its plans to hold a US Federal Blockchain Forum on July 18, 2017.

The forum, is organized and will be hosted by the General Services Administration and the State Department, was created for the purpose of creating a six-month plan on how to bring government agencies to collaborate in the creation of more Blockchain technology-related initiatives.

Catching up on Blockchain developments
The forum will be held on July 18, 2017 in the GSA Building in Washington DC. All federal government agency managers are encouraged to participate, but they will first have to form a team in which each will create a proposal for their own use of Blockchain Technology.

In the forum, participants will learn all about the recent advancements of Blockchain technology as well as their direct applications within the government.

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Blockchain is the technology that powers Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies gradually taking the FinTech world by storm
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 9:06pm On Jul 03, 2017
GERMANY CREATES OFFICIAL ORGANIZATION FOR PUBLIC ADVOCACY OF BLOCKCHAIN TECH

http://bitcoinist.com/germany-creates-official-organization-for-public-advocacy-of-blockchain-tech/

Officially named the ‘Blockchain Bundesverband’, the new German advisory panel, which is focusing on public advocacy of blockchain technology in Germany, was launched at the German Reichstag with the help of local politicians, blockchain advocates, and startup leaders.

ENCRYPTION IN GERMANY

On June 20, 2017, the German government voted into law a new bill which would effectively allow police and other government agencies to install a ‘state trojan’ onto suspects’ electronic devices. The ‘state trojan’ would give governmental bodies the ability to monitor encrypted traffic, like popular messaging apps Whatsapp and Single, that use encryption for secure communication between users.

Additional goals that the blockchain advisory panel plans to address include the following:

Usage of blockchain technology in a public office system by 2020.

Implementation of proper government regulation for blockchain and bitcoin.

Creation of a blockchain commission that will support the German government regarding the technological transition of government functions.


Do you think that the formation of this new blockchain advisory panel will enable Germany to properly promote blockchain innovation?
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 5:47pm On Jul 08, 2017
Wall Street Strategist Sees Bitcoin at $55,000 by 2022: CNBC

https://cointelegraph.com/news/wall-street-strategist-sees-bitcoin-at-55000

Tom Lee, strategist at the firm Fundstrat, has released his estimate on the value of Bitcoin by 2022, CNBC reports.

In the next five years
Lee, an expert in market commodities and stock valuations, has made his estimate based on Bitcoin’s limited supply and market stabilization. He’s not the first to make such bullish predictions either. Ronnie Moas, the famous stock picker and strategist has also suggested substantial upside, even in the near term.

What's driving the demand?
Lee believes that one of the main market drivers for Bitcoin is a cannibalizing of gold demand. As the economic situation continues to present concern for many investors, vehicles like Bitcoin can be a way to store value similar to gold and other precious metals.

The limitation on supply, as there can be no more than 21 million inherent units, and the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies make Bitcoin a safe harbor in times of economic uncertainty, according to Lee.

"In other words, substantial upside exists in owning cryptocurrencies here”.

Lee did accept the reality that Bitcoin is wildly volatile, considering that the its annualized volatility is 75 percent, but also argued that gold had the same effect in the late 1970’s, saying, “gold's volatility approached 90% from 1971 to 1980 as the U.S. abandoned the gold standard — hence, we expect this to improve over time."
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There will be those who will discourage you to join crypto investments.
But if you let people talk you down from this, you are on a long thing.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 5:52pm On Jul 09, 2017
Largest Food Delivery Platform in Germany Integrates Bitcoin

https://cointelegraph.com/news/largest-food-delivery-platform-in-germany-integrates-bitcoin

Lieferando, the largest food delivery platform in Germany, officially integrated Bitcoin. Users on the platform will be able to pay for food deliveries using Bitcoin.

Originally, Lieferando obtained over $18 mln in funding as a regional food delivery application and service provider. Due to the platform’s success regarding the rapidly growing user base, revenue streams and popularity, Netherlands-based Takeaway.com acquired Lieferando.

The acquisition of Lieferando by Takeaway.com is important to note as the Takeaway.com development team initially integrated Bitcoin back in 2013. Most of its subsidiaries including Pizza.fr have started to accept Bitcoin after the acquisition by Takeaway.com.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 5:53pm On Jul 09, 2017
Why are companies continuing to accept Bitcoin?

Earlier this week, Japan’s largest Point of Sale (PoS) service provider AirRegi officially began the integration process of Bitcoin as a payment method. Upon the completion of the integration process, more than 260,000 merchants will accept Bitcoin in Japan, including restaurants, cafes, bars and stores.

Less than a week has passed and Germany’s leading food service provider has announced its integration of Bitcoin.

Anyone following the technical and scaling discussions within the cryptocurrency and Bitcoin communities should be aware of the fee market debates that are taking place. Some argue that the fees are too high and that it is transforming the Bitcoin network into a premium store of value which is inefficient as a digital currency.

In contrast, there are many analysts, users and investors that also claim that the size of the Bitcoin mempool, as well as the Bitcoin block size, declined significantly over the past few weeks.

Leading Bitcoin wallet platforms including Blockchain, which operates more than 15 ml wallets, have recommended a fee of around $0.2 for median-sized transactions at around 50 satoshis per byte.

For merchants, Bitcoin fees are much more affordable than the two percent credit card transaction fees they have to cover. Most consumers are unaware of that fee because merchants are usually made to cover the transaction fees for consumers. Thus, current Bitcoin fees that range from $0.2 to $1 aren’t that costly for merchants to deal with.

In Japan, some of the largest and most influential companies already accept Bitcoin. Japan’s largest electronics retailer Bic Camera has been accepting Bitcoin for months and some users claim that Bic Camera along with many merchants accepts zero confirmation transactions due to the current status of the Bitcoin mempool.

The activation of Segregated Witness (SegWit) will likely spur the demand for Bitcoin from merchants as transaction fees become cheaper and the network becomes more efficient.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by Dattiboy(m): 7:02am On Jul 10, 2017
amjustme2:
Why are companies continuing to accept Bitcoin?

Earlier this week, Japan’s largest Point of Sale (PoS) service provider AirRegi officially began the integration process of Bitcoin as a payment method. Upon the completion of the integration process, more than 260,000 merchants will accept Bitcoin in Japan, including restaurants, cafes, bars and stores.

Less than a week has passed and Germany’s leading food service provider has announced its integration of Bitcoin.

Anyone following the technical and scaling discussions within the cryptocurrency and Bitcoin communities should be aware of the fee market debates that are taking place. Some argue that the fees are too high and that it is transforming the Bitcoin network into a premium store of value which is inefficient as a digital currency.

In contrast, there are many analysts, users and investors that also claim that the size of the Bitcoin mempool, as well as the Bitcoin block size, declined significantly over the past few weeks.

Leading Bitcoin wallet platforms including Blockchain, which operates more than 15 ml wallets, have recommended a fee of around $0.2 for median-sized transactions at around 50 satoshis per byte.

For merchants, Bitcoin fees are much more affordable than the two percent credit card transaction fees they have to cover. Most consumers are unaware of that fee because merchants are usually made to cover the transaction fees for consumers. Thus, current Bitcoin fees that range from $0.2 to $1 aren’t that costly for merchants to deal with.

In Japan, some of the largest and most influential companies already accept Bitcoin. Japan’s largest electronics retailer Bic Camera has been accepting Bitcoin for months and some users claim that Bic Camera along with many merchants accepts zero confirmation transactions due to the current status of the Bitcoin mempool.

The activation of Segregated Witness (SegWit) will likely spur the demand for Bitcoin from merchants as transaction fees become cheaper and the network becomes more efficient.

The most genuine Bitcoins PTC Site owned by a Nigeria that pays is : https:///GoM1PV a trial will convice you!
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 5:09pm On Jul 10, 2017
Five Big Businesses Leading Bitcoin Charge

https://cointelegraph.com/news/five-big-businesses-leading-bitcoin-charge


No longer shunning and brushing Bitcoin under the carpet, some of the world’s biggest companies have seen the light and are accepting digital currencies as a form of payment.

Bitcoin’s reputation as an obscure currency that is only used on the Darknet has long been left behind as the digital currency finds itself more in the mainstream than in shadowy corners. The growth of the currency as an asset, as well as the technology behind it, has sparked the interest of a lot of forward-thinking and progressive companies. The likes of Microsoft, Overstock.com, DISH Network, Intuit, and even the rival of sorts PayPal are all utilizing Bitcoin.

Microsoft
As one of the pioneers of technology it only makes sense that a company with the prestige of Microsoft has decided to invest and integrate with Bitcoin. It may sound surprising that Microsoft customers, and by extension Xbox users, can buy content on the Windows and the Xbox stores. What is even more surprising is that Microsoft has been offering this since December 2014, back when Bitcoin was far less common, understood or even trusted.

More importantly, perhaps, is that Microsoft is working on utilizing Blockchains, the technology behind Bitcoin, for large-scale businesses to facilitate the settlement of their financial data. This was done through the launch of Azure, which is a service platform on Blockchain technology.

Finally, it has been announced that the latest release of Excel will have Bitcoin integration among its currencies so that users can implement the digital currency into their spreadsheets with ease.

PayPal
As one of the biggest online payment platforms out there it seems illogical that PayPal would be looking to integrate and utilize Bitcoin which could act as a direct competitor to their services. However, the payment processing service has moved with the times, albeit in a roundabout way.

In September 2014, PayPal announced that it would indeed accept Bitcoin, but it would be through integration with their mobile payment platform, Braintree. Braintree has linked up with Coinbase, BitPay and GoCoin, to allow merchants using Braintree to accept payment through Bitcoin.

It must be noted that this was the start of integration for Bitcoin and PayPal, but their growth has slowed somewhat since the payment processor broke off from Ebay.

Overstock.com
The large and well-regarded E-tailer was one of the first major companies to take the plunge with Bitcoin, stating that it would accept digital currency through a partnership struck up with Coinbase back in January 2014. Customers of Overstock.com can make a purchase of anything from furniture, jewelry, clothes and decor with the digital currency.

Overstock was also savvy enough to carry between five and 10 percent of Bitcoin in their reserves, and seeing how the currency’s worth has grown since 2014, that move is to have surely netted the company a huge return.

Intuit
Known predominantly as the software giant behind QuickBooks, which is a DIY Tax preparation program, Intuit integrated Bitcoin into its programs with great success for cross-border clients.

In 2014 BitPay partnered with QuickBooks to create the PayByCoin service that allowed for next-day settlement into bank accounts. This helped overcome the issue of Bitcoin’s volatility. It also appealed to businesses as the usual bureaucracy and red tape associated with overseas payments were all but removed through the use of Bitcoin.

DISH Network
DISH admitted that it had heard the calls from its customers to allow them to pay with Bitcoin for the digital satellite services and it too joined up with Coinbase to be the payment processor. Again, this was all the way back in May of 2014 and has been successful in allowing customers an easy alternative to making payments for their digital television requirements.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 5:12pm On Jul 10, 2017
Nigerians, wake up.
Bitcoin is taking over.
Start investing in bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 9:05pm On Jul 14, 2017
Major Swiss Online Bank Unleashes Bitcoin In Week’s Second Swiss Breakthrough.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/major-swiss-online-bank-unleashes-bitcoin-in-weeks-second-swiss-breakthrough

A further major Swiss financial institution has begun accepting Bitcoin this week as Swissquote follows Falcon Private Bank.

In a press release issued today, Swissquote describes itself as the “first online bank in Europe to offer Bitcoin investing.”

The decision opens up Bitcoin investment to the platform’s 302,000 customers with a combined capital of 17.8 bln francs ($17.6 bln).

“Many investors are interested in cryptocurrencies, but are afraid to trade them, because the players in this market are mostly little-known and they often require the transfer of funds to a foreign account,” CEO Mark Buerki commented in the release.

“As a Swiss bank, we offer our clients a simplified, transparent process, without foreign transfers, that is within reach of everybody.”

The news comes just days after Swiss private bank Falcon announced it had partnered with Bitcoin Suisse to allow its customers to “to hold, buy and sell Bitcoin directly through their e-banking platform or account manager.”

Prior to that, it emerged that a Bitcoin certificate was on “most days” the most popular financial product available on Switzerland’s main stock exchange, SIX.

Meanwhile, for its project Swissquote will use Bitstamp, the exchange currently headquartered in Luxembourg, to handle payments and provide pricing information on Bitcoin.

“The Bitstamp-Swissquote partnership marks a milestone in the already promising development of Bitcoin, which is being implemented gradually into the traditional financial system,” the release adds.

Switzerland is already considerably ahead of its neighbors Austria and Germany in the race to propagate emerging Blockchain and cryptocurrency technology.

******
If you are still sitting on the fence, feel sorry for yourself.

If you are in shady schemes, Your money, your problem.

If you are hungry to become Mark Zuckerberg over night, your Greed, your downfall.


If you think Bitcoin and MMM are the same, your ignorance, your sickness

If you have time to study about bitcoin, blockchain, Cryptocurrency, reliable investments then your knowledge, your success.
Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by amjustme2: 9:11pm On Jul 15, 2017
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/12/someone-held-up-a-buy-bitcoin-sign-during-yellens-testimony-to-congress.html

An unidentified man held up a sign saying "buy bitcoin" during Fed Chair Janet Yellen's testimony Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee.
.
The unidentified bitcoin proponent, whose stunt was visible on television, was removed from the hearing room. Holding up the sign violates the House committee's rules. Committee staffers told CNBC they didn't know the man's name.

Bitcoin doesn't need the free advertising. The digital currency has more than doubled in value this year, raising concerns it is entering bubble territory.

Yellen was speaking during the first round of the Fed's semiannual monetary policy report to Congress and the state of the economy.
Fundstrat's Tom Lee said in a note Friday that central banks may one day buy digital currencies like bitcoin. Lee was the first major Wall Street strategist to issue a report on the cryptocurrency.

Yellen did not comment on cryptocurrency during her testimony

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For the record, Federal Reserve is US version of CBN in Nigeria, and Yellen is like Emefiele, the current CBN governor.

1 Like

Re: Reasons To Consider Investing In Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies by Taeewo(m): 10:48pm On Jul 15, 2017

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