Bitcoin Forum

Bump, another year goes by...
```

The words "Crypto" or Cryptocurrency do not help Bitcoin gain mainstream acceptance, since 'crypto' sounds so much like crypt.

http://www.hdrone.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Crypt.jpg

Are you willing/able to change the popular terms in order to make Bitcoin more friendly for average people?

We have some fresh idea here :D, so innovative thinking.
Well, this post for sure won't make people say crypto currencies and they are crypto from cryptography, simple like that. If someone will know what bitcoin is, rest doesn't matter. He will use it sooner or later :)

Virtual currency sounds good, I think so does alternate currency.

I do think cryptocurrency is a good term but can also pretty confusing and sometimes off putting for the everyday user.

Cryptocurrency sounds professional, virtual currency sound more easy-going
I would prefer calling it Cryptocurrency when talking to people that have more knowledge in the computer world and virtual currency to someone that has nothing to do with computer/hightech/bitcoin

I think people are reluctant to use words like crypto and cryptocurrency. Even to me it sounds like something to do with coding or hacking, things that are generally dangerous. So when people hear that bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, they are deterred from using it. I think something like virtual currency would sound better and attract more people, thus, helping bitcoin.

"Crypto" also means safety, like en-crypt-ion.

Yes!

Isn't that why Satoshi decided to call it Bitcoin?

Cryptocurrency is very technical (for those that don't know why it's called that word.) It would be good to call the currency type something more marketable (I know, lame business word.)

I've never thought about this actually,but I don't think we shouch change terms to get bitcoin popular,as this will mean we change the whole idea about it and it's fundamentals-being a cryptocurrency which it is.

I think that bitcoin is known as bitcoin and not as "cryptothing". Everyone who know bitcoin know it with such name and not with "there is something that is called cryptocurrency which has as name bitcoin". So I don't see any kind of problem for bitcoin which is not connected with the word crypto. The result of all my post: No need at all to mean this change, no need to make such connection as OP has made in him's main past and, at the end, no need even to change the word crypto.

i would prefer digital currency, and not virtual, like they do not exist or something

digital give to bitcoin a more tangible aspect to me

Where's the private key??? I can't seem to scan this painting into my wallet?


Like this one right???

https://i2.wp.com/venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/OSpEZtA-Imgur.jpg?fit=780%2C9999

i prefer to digital currency than virtual currency, i have experience with introduce it to people if bitcoin is virtual currency, they think it's just virtual, when it haven't a value, just a virtual.
well i like when it called cryptocurrency, although it's like a nerd currency, maybe.

Here's my two cents: No, "Crypto" is a nice word which, when heard, is associated with a “secret”, which would be interesting to unriddle.

Most of us IMO never think of a creepy burial place when we hear the word.

Do we think of a cock when we hear Coca-Cola?  ;D  I don't think so.

But I understand that it was mostly a Halloween post, and it was a nice one.  :)

That's true virtual does seem in a sense to state not real or something similar. Digital currency is much more appropriate.

the term has already changed..
no one should use 'crypto' or 'virtual' or 'digital' when categorizing the difference between bitcoin vs fiat

and also people have argued about the term 'bitcoin' causing confusion between bitcoin the currency and bitcoin the technology..

so now the term for the technology is....................... blockchain.

as for using 'digital' .. well.. let me explain.

bitcoin is a blockchain currency
visa is a digital currency
litecoin is a blockchain currency
FIAT is a digital and paper currency

again no need to use virtual, crypto or digital when describing blockchain currencies as blockchain is what many people are now using as it is clear and not confusing

even andreas antanopolis has been using 'blockchain' when describing the technology/protocol.. and bitcoin when describing the currency

But but, if you use virtual currency it sounds like VC if you abbreviate it.

Has the same negative vibe to it as crypt.

Personally, I don't think too many people associate crypto with crypt.

Until we get an officially world recognized crypto dictionary there will be disputes about the meaning of crypo terms that are meaningless to outsiders. There's a debate about whether Bitcoin should be capitalized, whether blockchain should be written as two words or one, and another debate about WTF crypto means.

 Cryptocurrency is mostly strange for people,i use digital currency,it is much better

agree i would prefer the term "digital currency" sounds better at least for me, virtual currency sound ( for people who dont know it yet ) a little bit strange like something on where you cant trust.

Crypto is very rarely used in mainstream media. I doubt many people have taken the time to understand what cryptography means. Virtual is too wishy washy. Digital fits the bill perfectly.

digital explains nothing..
it does not explain the difference between SQL databases, such as Visa, paypal or even facebook credits.

blockchain is already highlighted as the term to categorize bitcoin and litecoins differences to Visa, without having the wishy washy virtual fake money image or the non separation/ non descriptive digital image. or even the morbid, coffin image of crypto

Agreed with this..

A moniker doesn't have to throw in deep seated explanations. All you need is something comprehensible that people can relate to. Visa, paypal and facebook credits are not currencies and never will be.  

digital explains that the currency is computer based rather then paper based... paypal uses digital, visa uses digital, facebook uses digital.. because you can trade their sql database entries for goods and services..
but digital currency does not separate fiat from bitcoin..

thats where blockchain currencies clearly separates bitcoin, namecoin, litecoin.. away from applepay, paypal, bank wire transers, etc..

telling someone about digital currencies.. they would instantly think about credit cards and applepay etc.. which wont help the explanation that bitcoin is completely different..

blockchain currencies is a clear separation

Up to the point i read your post i never had the connection of bitcoin being connected to crypt. :D

I think the danger is pretty thin.

To me both Crypt and Crypto mean secret and hidden. However, bitcoin feels more like something that everyone free to participate. I would prefer digital currency as many have suggested.

You can just say digital cash, digital coin, internet coin ,internet money, free money, safe money , etc.

But the correct term is cryptocurrency, but for laymen, and if you are in circles full of newbies then better use an euphemism :)

Na, it is Crypto Money. It is a special form of money. It is no new paypal or moneybookers or shit like that. And it should not be twisted with things like that. I think it is essential that Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency are the mainwords. I don't see any negative connections with these words at all. And it should be avoided to be connected to things like paypal. The last thing we want is someone thinks, i have paypal, i don't need bitcoin anymore or if it is like paypal then i don't want it... scammy chargeback thing.

No, bitcoin is a complete new thing and that should be made clear.

How about virtual money/virtual coin..


But that implies that its non-existent :D

So if we say "crypto" they get scared, if we say "virtual" they think its a scam. How stupid the sheeple is :D

Virtual money really sounds a bit like playmoney. :D Though the first thought they will have is something like paypal. It is virtual money. Only on the internet. Easily spoken.

And i doubt that someone gets the creeps from the word crypto. Yes, it might be that not everyone knows that crypto means encryption or something hidden but those people who likely will use bitcoin will know. It is still widely a geek currency. And they know what crypto is. So the impression is encrypted money, something hidden. Sounds like safe money.

Everyone who doesn't know what crypto means most probably is not our target group for the moment. They won't understand and the internet most probably is something far away for them anyway.

I know how the sheeple thinks so I think that it's just best if we got with digital currency.

Virtual/internet/etc is not a good prefix because it implies non-existence, or lack of seriousity. People will think that its no big deal or not a real money (as if their fiat is :D) , we have to make it sound like serious , but not too serious because then they get scared of it.

Crypto is also not good because it implies geekyness (how are you going to get 20 year old girls to use it?)  and especially old folks, they will think it's their grave :D


So you have to understand that the sheeple doesnt think, they are based on emotions. So we have to find an emotionally neutral definition = digital currency is perfect imo :)

Agreed, we can find another name so people will interesting about crypto..

Bitcoin is the perfect word.
I'm fine with cryptographically secured digital currency.
Virtual sounds like "virtual".
Digital sounds easily duplicated, cryptography/encrypted ect when it comes to online or even a private communication makes me think "security".

Bitcoin will be more widely adopted when it's easier for us regular people to use it ;-)

this is why I like the use of the word "blockchain" when talking about Bitcoin. It's new, fresh; it disassociates itself from the bad press Bitcoin got

I know what you mean but i think digital currency is already something that has a place in the mind of those noobs hearing it. They will think of money on the internet. And the first thoughts will be paypal, skrill, mpesa and so on. Digital currency is not specific enough to show that bitcoin really is a groundbreaking new thing.

I'm not sure there's anything wrong with "crypto". Crypts are old and robust, most have been built several centuries ago, and I like the idea of "long-lasting". There's also some mystery and secrecy with crypts, so that's quite attractive.

Virtual currency is very bad, as it doesn't sound real. Maybe we could say "computed currency".

Yes but the more specific definitions are too geeky.

Quite franky we have to be populists, not linguists. I dont even think the masses want to really know the advantages of bitcoin.


They just want a new way of earning / storing money, and I think that will be enough to get them to join us.

Bitcoins has now become a family for everyone. And of course people in families, I mean family members celebrate each and every thing together, it's because of that crypto crypt. Is wishing a happy Halloween to all users. It's users Have even thrown party to some selected people as bitcoins are now a family to them. Let's hope this streak continues for long! Long live btc!

I think we should be a bit more self-conscious. Yes, it might be somewhat geeky but it can become cool. Think about all the computer tech. It is not geeky since a long time anymore, it became cool once the normal people realized it's usefullness. I think staying strong might be the best way to make bitcoin something cool everyone wants to use.

Bitcoin itself already seems to be a cool word, crypto currency is something that doesn't have to be branded so much but even then, encryption, so being safe from others, government and so on is cool, it has some strenght.

So i think it's not a big problem. ;)

You target the average joe. I'm wondering what the average joe would drive to use bitcoin. I guess his local dealer wants bitcoins, he heard of the darknet, he has to pay a ransom or so. Since normally bitcoin is geek money and only geeks get in fire when hearing about it. And since the usecases for average joe are very limited i think it is hard to catch him. Probably the use cases are the way to catch them, how the product is named might be second then.

At the end, with Bitcoin we have a pretty perfect name already. It sounds like internet money. We would not need to advertise the crypto aspect.

Exactly. I have some geeky friends, and even they are skeptical of bitcoin since they heard the bad news.

So we have to be populists and target each group with different marketing style, with the goal of raising the demand past their fears of bad news.


This becomes harder and harder with the bad news piling up. But we definitely need a marketing team for BTC.

Well, i don't fear the news so much. I heard alot of good news in the last time. For example huge financial times explaining bitcoins. Not the blockchain, bitcoin. Even newspapers for woman in their middle life.

I think the fame of bitcoin is rising drastically. And the bad news are not so very important it seems. People forget, people will think they were simply not informed enough. Heard rumours only and now they read an article in the newspaper.

I don't fear the bad news so much. Especially the banks interest in the blockchain gives bitcoin a big boost. I mean if banks are interested then IT HAS TO BE important.

And banks invest in the blockchain because they think it's the future, then newspapers write about and banks thinks it has to be the future when newspapers write about... circle of fame for cryptocurrencies. :D