Bitcoin Forum

Italy has utilized blockchain technology to fight back. Earlier it was reported, the Italian charity organization, Red Cross, has introduced a blockchain platform to collect donations to combat the disease. Recently, Sella, an Italian bank, has introduced a new service (https://www.coincurb.com/news/italian-bank-offers-btc-trading/) to trade bitcoins.

Of cos, I knew this will happen and this is exactly one of the reasons why Bitcoin and crypto will see more percentage of adoption in coming weeks, it's about time the whole world know about crypto capability

Blockchain is the best way to do that caused by they are trying to avoid dealing with the traditional system that makes people will get a big risk to be infected by coronavirus. As far as i know of the majority of the online payment system in Italy already introduced the feature that will be supporting bitcoin to be a payment system too. It looks like crypto has already found the real usage to be able to avoid contact with the virus.
Mass adoption is about getting started.

Now during the crisis, people will begin to understand the absolute high values of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. I think in the near future we will see the rise of the cryptocurrency market. time of crisis is what cryptocurrencies need to show to the world their value

In my own personal opinion, it should be really implemented not just only in italy, maybe every country that is affected by the corona virus because blockchain technology would really help them right now to make transactions without having contact to each other and sending transactions like sending in charities would be much faster.

Italy is greatly hit and by now using fiat to buy products and goods is not very safe as it could also serve as medium in which the virus is spreading so using crypto to purchase things like sanitary pads and masks. Receiving donations in crypto is also a smart way of sourcing for funds so it is good to know that some countries are getting to know more how important the ecurrencies are.

This is really a good news for the crypto world. I'm hoping more countries will come to see the importance of crypto with the current situation. At least, let this be one advantage crypto users got from this Corona crisis, mass adoption of cryptos.

An important thing to understand now is that paper money right now is causing problems as well, that it transmits the virus within that. It's studied that the virus can stay on surfaces up to several hours depending on the material [1] (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces). So people would prefer not to use paper money, China even destroys the cash to help disinfect and stop the spreading. [2] (https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/17/asia/china-is-disinfecting-cash-coronavirus-intl-hnk-scli/index.html)

It's a great decision to use blockchain for donations, especially right now.

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[1] - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces
[2] - https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/17/asia/china-is-disinfecting-cash-coronavirus-intl-hnk-scli/index.html

well, these donations will probably be converted to fiat again since it will be going to people in need. In Italy, many families are loosing financially so in this case, blockchain technology will be a good resort to facilitate money circulating and accelerating the process of distribution.
in such a hard time, one is truly fascinated and thankful for how can the new innovative technologies can help us significantly in such crisis.

We can go even further, IBM has a working solution called IBM Blockchain World Wire (https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/solutions/world-wire) used for cross-border payments, we can use this technique to facilitate the process for leading worldwide institutions and companies that are prepared to help and donate to countries in need. If Italy is resorting to charity, imagine the situation in third world countries!!

Italy is not in a place to say know to anything with good potential now, Italy is currently very fragile and too stretch and need presently help. I just hope things get better for the country very soon, this just shows how far Bitcoin has come

They are collecting Bitcoins to buy a tent or something. They did not introduced any blockchain platform. Here is direct link if you want to donate: https://app.helperbit.com/project/5e6a64ee84cb8662d901a29c/covid19-advanced-medical-post-for-pretriage-in-italy

Almost not true. A bank allowing BTC trading, something new for the real world. It must be the reason why it pumped yesterday. I was looking for the reason why the sudden jump of price yesterday so may this is it.  For all the countries affected with corona and their economy, service like this could be a good opportunity for banks and for people send money without having to  go over the counter.

Despite blockchain still being in its infancy stage, with a lot of experiments going on, through the use of the technology, a lot has been done to solve so many life problems. In fact, it has brought more development to some parts of the world, which is why they will stop applying and exporing it.
It is the best tool for the collection and storage of data, because it cannot be alterred, it is safe and secured. Such data can easily be trusted, because the originality wil always remain the same.

I think they need to use all resources and technologies not only blockchain tech and that too at the governmental and healthcare level to cope with this pandemic as soon as possible because Italy has already topped the charts and it is one of the worst hit country in terms of deaths from coronavirus.

Not all blockchain serve the purpose of cryptocurrency and one can be so surprised how its widely use. I believe those private uses by governments had encouraged the adoption of cryptocurrency and removal or lessen the ban. The only challenge is the volatility of the coins and decentralized nature of the space. Its use to compile data, tracking digital transaction, payment etc is widely adopted factor.

Great news, but not sure if it is authentic. I have heard Red Cross using crypto currencies to collect donation (not sure if it was red cross, but yeah it was an organization that started accepting donations through crypto currencies). But, Banks and crypto currencies don't go with each other. Kinda sounds like its totally a centralized trading system. But still, its helping them, so yeah, they should continue.
The article at the end states that no verification or KYC is needed. So how are they going to fight fraudulent transactions?

These are two different news mixing together in the same thread :) For what I know, and for what we are seen in Italy, there is not any big change despite these news.

1)Thanks to Guido Baroncini Turricchia (CEO of Helperbit) they are helping Italian Red Cross to get funds for this crisis with blockchain. But we are talking about 10k euro, a very tiny amount for what it's going on...
https://www.arenadigitale.it/2020/03/13/la-croce-rossa-italiana-lancia-una-raccolta-fondi-aperta-anche-ai-bitcoin/

2) I am an HYPE User already and I haven't received any update on my app or any new ToS to be signed.
This service actually isn't implemented and has not received any mass adoption...  
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=787292.940 (italian thread)

If this is true, then it's a plus for the entire blockchain community, the entire world need every hands on deck inorder to end this pandemic COVID19 disease that has caused a global crisis leading to the shut down of more and more global activities on daily basis.  I've seen quite a number of some Blockchain based project participating actively to combat the pandemuc disease

the steps taken are appropriate to fight the spread of the virus more broadly, but is this just hype created to increase the crypto values back ??

honestly for now the crypto value fluctuation is very high so if you really want to donate bitcoin is not the right thing in my opinion, there is still a more stable digital money that is recognized by local authorities.

This is good but they only open up one bank for doing this. The timing is also good with the locked down of their country. But still isnt enough for crypto to grow just by a mere one bank. If all the banks there will follow through it could boost the market for crypto and even merchants should accept crypto can also be helpful. Only what they need is education since mostly dont have knwoledge with it and only few people can take advantage of it.

Hehe  ;D, this sounds really funny if the blockchain can cure viruses, because everyone clearly knows that the blockchain is something that is not real, so there is no reason to be able to cure any viruses.

Yes, it is the most natural use of blockchain technology. Still, if developers in Italy are more creative, blockchain can be used to track the spread of viruses, especially if coupled with artificial intelligence technology, as practiced by developers in South Korea.

I wish they can fight back the disease and recover because the disease can impact the economy of the country.
Using blockchain is not a bad idea, it is to prevent the disease from spreading through physical money.

That's true and that's bias to say about the blockchain can fight the virus but just try to write based on the context. it sounds like blockchain can do anything. Some countries have been accepting crypto as payment to be used to get the alternative payment system to make sure if the money will not be used temporary due to the coronavirus. blockchain has the possibility to replace the fiat in this case.
It can't be only used for charity purpose.

This is what smart country does! Italy has taken an incredible decision to accept donation through crypto, because it is safe and fast, you don’t need to go several banks and meet official documents to withdraw the money! Italy residents will remember this and they will be using crypto gladly after the Corona epidemic gone! 

The best choice that they've done, accepting donations by means of crypto, blockchain is quick and safe to transfer donation by doing this people from Italy will remember this function and for sure they'll going to use it not only for this purpose but they will find a good way of taking the advantage of using this chain in many more ways.

Seriously I have strong issues to understand ABOUT WHAT ARE YOU DISCUSSING HERE!

ITALY (Italian government) has not taken ANY DECISION or ANY OFFICIAL initiative about accepting donation with bitcoin.


NO Our government has not given any official statement or anything else.
There is only a group, a PRIVATE ONE, that decide to launch their initiative! A small initiative since we are talking about 10.000 euro (meanwhile other people have been able to get funds in millions order with cash options!*)

This has been already clearly explained and reported, please read this quote.


STOP SPAM! STOP NON SENSE COMMENTS, THERE IS A LIMIT EVEN FOR LOW QUALITY POST!


And I CAN CONFIRM as ITALIAN no one will remember this period as a good period for CRYPTO, but one of the WORST PERIOD we have ever seen in our life!

Guess what there is inside these! Guess why there are soldiers, Guess what they are doing!
https://i.ibb.co/6Xs7PX4/coronavirus-bare-bergamo-esercito-1-625x391.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

* https://www.gofundme.com/f/coronavirus-terapia-intensiva

I saw this is fake news but we can not deny crypto is a good alternative of paper cash now when this virus can spread through paper money too. At least the world is realizing the use and necessity of crypto. Crypto has more potential and more county should adopt this tech for their advantages. When A lot of countries are using this then why others will not take any action.

Blockchain is something that's not real? Do you even know what you are saying? Can you please define what blockchain is? Please try to create time to learn what blockchain is, it's a big shame to be on this crypto space without knowing these stuffs

See I'm not in support of any donation right now because there is not 100 percent guarantee that this donation is going to be used for fighting Coronavirus, it might be another trick by crypto scammers

This must be far from being the truth.  Topics like this issue of donation are just so much in altcoin sections now.  People need to stop these spamming and scamming stuffs.  If you donate any coin/token to anybody all in the name of coronavirus victims, you're just on your own.

Have you heard of the Red Cross? If they start a fundraiser and the legit Red Cross is behind it, the chances of a scam are very close to 0.

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Blockchain donation campaign sounds good, but imho it only sounds good when the times are good as well. But the headache crypto donations bring may not be worth it, especially because the donations paid in crypto will always be lower than those in fiat. The entire world is using fiat while we only have a few hundred thousand (the number may be even lower) crypto users.

Unless there's a Bitcoin millionaire out there who wants to spend their BTC on a charity, although I doubt it.

Compare this with sending gold for free to the Red Cross as a donation. Maybe in good times you would, but would you do that now rather than sending an SMS/bank transfer donation?

Bitcoin or cryptocurrency are suitable to use as a donation tool, we can in different countries help them at least to buy something that they need. I can't imagine if the virus come and spreading in my country and government try to lockdown the country and the economic activities will died. There is no way to gain money whilst I will need money to buy something like basic need to meet my daily life. Blockchain and cryptocurrency will help them as long as the donation is managed by the government or reputable person.

But in any case, the organizers will make money on this. I doubt that they are so honest that they would not work for profit.

Crypto is the great bridge when you get dividend by something bad! Italy is doing the smartest thing to fight in this situation. No one can imagine how much they are suffering from coronavirus, so, to keep the financial dealings smooth, crypto is the best way! Though I heard they are using Paypal too, but in digital money, there is no better money than Bitcoin!

Other useless spam comments. good job!
ITALY (Italian government) has not taken ANY DECISION or ANY OFFICIAL initiative about accepting donation with bitcoin.


https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5234262.msg54071181#msg54071181

Guess what there is inside these! Guess why there are soldiers, Guess what they are doing!
https://i.ibb.co/6Xs7PX4/coronavirus-bare-bergamo-esercito-1-625x391.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

They are not using the technology to fight back the virus instead the charity organizations might be accepting funds through crypto which is a really good thing because it does have transparency but it will not combat the disease  :P. The only precaution you can take right now is to quarantine yourself from the public until everything is sorted out.

Everyone should understand that there will be many scammers trying to scam money in this cause so beware when you donate the funds.

At the moment of a total lock-down in Italy, and the virus could spread through paper money too, it becomes essential to look for an alternative way of transacting with cash which is safe, secured, fast and less costly. Blockchain actually addresses the above cafeterias. We mustn't keep doing things the old way, let's not be scared to try new things.