Bitcoin’s underlying blockchain technology has the potential to transform just about every industry imaginable if it is adopted widely. But, before you jump on the Bitcoin bandwagon or invest in a startup promising to make money by selling cryptocurrency, you need to be aware of some serious risks that exist with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Regulatory Risk
There is no guarantee that Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies will not be deemed to fall under regulation as securities in the future. If they are deemed to fall under such regulations, trading of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could be halted or restricted. Only when trading is permitted can a market develop, and only when a market develops can Bitcoin be said to have any intrinsic value. This article from Investopedia offers some examples of where regulators have responded to cryptocurrencies by applying rules that apply more generally for financial instruments.
Investment Risk
Trading cryptocurrencies is not as easy as buying traditional securities, such as stocks. As an asset, Bitcoin can be volatile, and there’s no guarantee that it will retain value over time. It’s unclear what the intrinsic value of Bitcoin is today and how much of that value is based on speculation and some risky bets. This article from Bloomberg explains that Bitcoin’s value is based on two things: The potential of blockchain technology to improve the world and the expectation that other people will buy it.
Security Risk
Bitcoin exchanges are not as secure as traditional exchanges because they do not have a central authority to watch over them. Hackers and fraudsters know this and can take advantage of it to steal money or information. Just ask Mt. Gox, which was the largest Bitcoin trading exchange until 2014 when it was hacked, and 80 million in Bitcoins were stolen. The value of Bitcoin plummeted to nearly nothing.
Cryptographic currency: what is it?
Cryptographic currencies are digital assets that use cryptography to create new money. They are not controlled by any institution or government but rather rely on cryptography to ensure they cannot be forged or used without authorization. Cryptographic currencies are called ‘cryptocurrency’ because the word ‘cryptography’ shares a similar meaning with ‘currency’.
Cryptography is the science of secret writing: it enables people to communicate in private, and it makes sure that information is used only by the intended recipient. Cryptographic currency is different from traditional money in that it uses cryptography to create ‘money’ that can be used to pay for goods and services or stored as an asset. Cryptographic currencies are not controlled by any institution or government; they are created through the use of cryptography, and they exist as long as people choose to use them.
There have been many attempts to create new forms of money using cryptography, but only Bitcoin has succeeded in the public imagination. For example, the US government once tried to create e-gold in the 1990s. However, none of these attempts have worked because they have not been able to overcome a simple problem. To spend digital gold or e-gold, you would have to use a trusted third party who issues certificates for electronic gold. These trusted third parties are also known as banks, and there would be an entire industry of them to visit if you wanted to spend your e-gold at different places.
How could it affect your business?
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have the potential to affect all kinds of businesses. If you’re not currently accepting bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, you may find that many of your customers are looking to spend their bitcoins elsewhere. If you are accepting bitcoins, then you may find that new customers are looking to spend their bitcoins on your product or service. The Immediate Edge bitcoin trading system is a revolutionary new way to trade the cryptocurrency. It offers traders a simple and profitable way to make money from the swings in the bitcoin market. If you’re looking for an edge in the world of bitcoin trading, this system is definitely worth checking out.
You may decide to accept bitcoins if the opportunity is right for your business. In addition, you may decide that accepting bitcoins can help protect against a cryptocurrency price decline, which could negatively impact your business.
What are the types of Bitcoin-related businesses?
Bitcoin can be used on websites, electronic applications, point-of-sale systems, gaming systems and mobile apps. Bitcoin is also being accepted for online purchases at various brick-and-mortar stores. You might consider accepting bitcoin as a donation or for purchasing merchandise online. And you may be able to accept bitcoins for your business as payment from other businesses that accept them.
How do you accept Bitcoin?
The simplest way to accept bitcoins is to let a bitcoin payment processor act as a middleman between you and your customers. These companies make it easy for your customers to buy bitcoin using their credit cards, PayPal or other popular payment methods. They then convert the bitcoins into your local currency and send the money to your business account. As a payment processor, they may also check that the customer has enough bitcoins before sending the money to you.