Everything posted by the OP is actually correct.
The bitcoin whitepaper was released on the 31st of October 2008 and
the first block was mined "the Genesis block" on January the 3rd 2009.
The fact that Wikipedia mentions a group of people is speculation
because as has been thrashed out on this forum and im sure elsewhere
the identity of Satoshi is unknown, it could be either a man, woman, both
or a multiple of people.

Bitcoin is being used in different ways and it us looked upon as diferent
things to different people and governments around the world.

Yes ERA probably isnt the right term to use, I would pit forward the word 'Phase'.
With the coming of the new year we will be entering a new phase. I guess the
OP is eluding to it as is Franky1 and I think a lit of people are on the right track
but its difficult to pinpoint exactly what will be involved.

We can be confident of more adoption, enough people know about bitcoin so
that when the next positive uptrend starts it will hopefully bring even more users.

Yes patience is indeed important, in this cryoto space a lot of people have yet to learn it.
The crypto market situation is creating a lot of divided thought but I am confident in thinking
the future is giing to be positive with some bumpy trips along the way, again people have
to be aware of this and hopefully there will be lessons learned from the past 12 months.

Correct. I buy lots of small amounts of bitcoin a couple of times per month
added to this is my signature campaign and not so regularly so design jobs.

For low income earners or people with low disposable income achieving 1
bitcoin can be something of a mountain climb especially as the value goes
up that is why now as the market shifts down is a good time to aquire BTC.

Done, well almost done with almost all the shit cojns i had. I claimed
my BCH abd traded it for BTC shortly aftet i got it.
Also with a lot of alts i had they went back into BCH, that is the main
focus and it should be for everyone.

Re pensions, i think its a worldwide problem. So many countries have an ageing
population with less people to support the pensions.

Not so long ago South Korea were trying to promote conception by letting people
off work early so they could go home and make babies! I cannit find the article
but if anyone is interested here is a worrying report abiut the population crises
in South Korea > https://www.citylab.com/life/2018/08/south-korea-needs-more-babies/565169/

So in 2030 i hope to not be working a day job at least, and more so well before
2030. I will be in my 60's then so I really dont want to think about it for now.
I am hoping on a 5 year plan..............

I agree that there will not be a period of disinterest. There are far more people involved
and more exchanges and generally more adoption and knowledge about crypto.

There could be swings straight to and from bear and bull markets and lulls would be
short lived ...... Traders anyway would welcome that.

I was lucky enough to join the bitcoin movement in jan 2017, almost 2
years ago which was the start of the bull run mentioned. I have learned
a lot from the forum and i think anyone who joined at the same time
are well versed in crypto now.

There are those who have only joined crypto in 2018 who obviously have
yet to experience a bull run and the next one could be a big one!!
for bitcoin for sure but the will be casualties

Bitcoin cannot fail, there is too much adoption already and it promises
too much for the future.

A lot of people it seems have lost the concept which bitcoin was created
for, transferring funds peer-to-peer.

Nice thread, nice to read what peopke are buying with bitcoin and what they
are buying and from where.

Earlier in the year I bought a Turntable from Newegg and spent 0.039BTC
that has been my biggest  to date.

There have been times and will be more in the future where bitcoins price will
be stable but they are and will not be permanent. As long as bitcoin is tradable
and is used as a speculatory tool there will be volatility. We have already come
to realise this as the norm.

Bitcoin will always be a medium of exchange, ir payment system or currency
regardless of its FIAT value. We can send payment and exchange this coin
worldwide in a matter of minutes.

It is looked on as a store of value because of what it can potentially become
a rare commodity with a lot of adoption and a real world usage as above.

At the moment in one perspective it doesnt look like a good store of value
especially for those people who are showing FIAT losses but again i point
to bitcoins potential.

One of the major issues with bitcoin is the emphasis put on its FIAT value
and its difficult not to because so many of us exchange our FIAT into bitcoin
so we are looking to see a gain. We really need to forget about that FIAT
and think in terms of bitcoin.

The holiday season and a time of gift buying will see people selling out to fiat.
Thats understandable but as the price falls i will be buying.

Its unfortunate if you need money and you have to convert bitcoin at a time
when its FIAT value is way down but if its the only way it has to be done but
there will be opportunities to buy back.

Staying positive is necessary.

Looking back over the last 12 months it is clear that bitcoin can surprise
us all. It can make big moves, can stay relatively static and can shock
us also.

Its not all about the FIAT value though, its also about adoption and usage
although some forms of usage has allegedly been used to manipulated
the markets by the banks.

There is one thing for sure bitcoin is not going anywhere just yet.

Im on the forum now for almost 2 years and over the last month or so
the level of FUD, negativity and bitcoin death prediction is at an ATH
for those 2 years. I cannot remember there being so much negativity.

Yea sounds like a bunch of kids who havent really thought through the finer
details of their threats.

Its a tricky one to deal with on the ground. The threats have to be taken seriously
initially and noone would just pay up straight away.

I hate the way bitcoin is being used like this, not good publicity.

Its still a FIAT system but the whole cashless society scenario is gaining
traction. To see a market turning cashless is surprising IMO. I would imagine
Most of the transactions would be of small values.
In my country we gave "tap and go" transactions payable by card for anything
below €30. We dont have to use chip and pin and there is no minimum that i
know of.

The vast majority of people who are serious about bitcoin are looking to
the long term future rather than the get rich quick instant lambo outlook.

I think the people who thought about the instant reward have already left
this space out of FUD.

Agree, those who were fearful of the recent market drop are already out.
Realistically anyone left in is not going to sell now.

We will be here again after the next ATH, It happens in waves or cycles,
it has happened before anf will happen again.

There are some who can react quickly to what happens abd others who
are causing the movements.

I agree, i like the idea of being able to trade within the wallet while remaining
somewhat anonymous.
While i may never use the feature i wonder how long it will last before KYC
will be enforced, and if it isnt the feature should boost trezor sales.