Given the facts, I think it really boils down to your preferences either for short-term or long-term investments. Do remember that each type of investments has their own set of risks to consider. For example, bonds may be the most secured type of investment due to its nature being on the bank but profit wise, it might be longer.
On the other hand, bitcoin may yield you the highest profit but the security of payment is not secured compared to the others.
Personally, I would half my investments into two, like one for bonds and the other for bitcoins for safety purposes but if you plan for long-term then bitcoin is the way to go.

Bitcoin's existence is far from disappearing but like any other investments, the risk of losing your money is normal. Bitcoin has shown its potential over the years by the constant increase on its price but there are also external factors that significantly decrease its price like China's banning of ICO in their country etc. One cannot simply protect and secure bitcoin due to its decentralized nature, the primary factor on why bitcoin is still alive is due to the sheer volume of investors and individuals who utilize it onto transactions. Even some retailers are starting to accept bitcoin as a payment for their products.

I believe not. Due to the influx of investors spending on bitcoin, its value changes due to the law of demand and supply. I would say that once bitcoin can be controlled by a single user or establishment (which is impossible due to its decentralized nature), then controlling its volatility may be possible. Well, if bitcoin's volatility can be controlled, then less users and investors would be willing to invest since that is the primary factor that they are taking advantage of in order to gain profit in a short amount of time, or tremendous profit by long-term investments.

Trading and investing are both two worlds that have their own set of agendas and nature, but have the same primary purpose, which is to either gain profit or in exchange for something that is essential to both. Trading involves two parties wherein one provides services to other in exchange for payment or a thing. On the other hand, investing involves only one party wherein the individual uses their money for an investment to an institution or entity, that both benefits thereto. They are different in nature but all both benefits the users who participated.

You posted this thread last September 14 and currently, the prices of bitcoin are around $4300. To answer your question, this month showed a constant increase on bitcoin's price and is showing good signs for investments. If you see the need to cash-out the lifesavings she bought, then there will be profit garnered by your grandmother. It all depends on her decision whether to treat it as a long-term investment or short-term profit. Lastly, even if the people here on the forum told you some suggestions, the ultimatum of the decision primarily lies within your shoulders.

The scenario given was very hypothetical, but is impossible due to bitcoin's volatile and decentralized nature. But if that were the case, then I see no reason for me to buy bitcoins anymore because bank investments would be more superior and safer option if bitcoin's price were to be stable. One of the reasons on why people invest into bitcoin is because they want to take advantage of its volatility, which in return, can yield them profit in long term investments. Like the example given, he sees bitcoin as an alternative payment for his future plans by investing in it.

Due to the recent ICO banning in China, it significantly affected the price of bitcoins and investors from the country. The news about Japan on introducing bitcoin exchange sites will definitely have a positive side on bitcoin regarding its price because more countries now are accepting bitcoin as a medium of exchange for their country. We all know that Japan, being one of the developed countries in the world, has the potential of maximizing the benefits provided by bitcoin through the exchange sites created. I speculate that 2-3 months from now, expect prices of bitcoin to increase, thus making this a GO SIGNAL on investing right now.

Yes, it is very risky to invest all of your money into bitcoin because even if the price history shows a constant increase on its price, no one knows when will bitcoin be removed from existence due to its decentralized nature. Its price is also highly volatile and may increase/decrease your profit anytime depending on the external factors that is impossible to know. Bitcoin may be a high-risk, high-return investment but its security in payment falls short compared to bank investments, stocks, and even gold investments.

Regardless of the winning or losing of an individual, becoming a gambling expert does not increase the chances of you winning, but it only makes the gambler less susceptible into exhausting all of his/her money. It is impossible to alter the future and one's luck, that is why it is irrelevant for one being an expert in gambling unto increasing the chances of his/her winning. Being experienced on gambling only makes your situation worse because you continue to affect the people around you especially when you still think that GAMBLING can resolve all of your financial problems.

Banks, the government, or any other entity cannot control bitcoin due to its decentralized and volatile nature. Should bitcoin be controlled, then its price would be constant and subject to monopolization among establishments that have the most capital. Cryptocurrencies, in general, is impossible to regulate and that is why some countries ban the usage of bitcoin because it may be subject to illegal transactions under the dark web.

Do remember that bitcoin's nature being volatile has always the potential of its price increasing/decreasing depending on the current factors in the market. Last month, due to China's banning of ICOs, it significantly affected bitcoin on its price negatively as it decreased up to $3200. But on a positive note, the price recovered within 2-3 weeks from its initial banning phase.

That is also one of the reasons on why many people are choosing bitcoin investments compared to bank investments or stocks since the returns are higher than the rest. It might not be that secured compared to the traditional ways of investing, but the risk that one is taking surely pays-off once the profit kicks-in. Bitcoin is indeed, one of the best investments currently.

It may be easier said than done since removing completely your addiction to a certain thing or habit takes a lot of time and dedication. It also depends on the environment were the individual resides in. If he/she is exposed to people who are gambling addicts or peers that influence him on continuing his addiction to gambling, then it would be impossible to remove the addiction. The best remedy in my opinion is by taking all things slow, and participate into counseling services in order for one to realize his/her priorities in life.

Like in any other principle, the one that has the most supplies has the power over all among its competitors. Like what you guys said, China alone cannot destroy the existence of bitcoin but its banning of ICOs has made a significant impact on bitcoin's price. It may be considered as a factor but there are many countries who support bitcoin usage and implementation. China may be the biggest country that contains numerous investors of bitcoins but a single country cannot defeat multiple countries who maximize the potential of bitcoins.

Do remember that by this November, there will be an another hard fork happening and that is why I suggest that you hold-on to your money first before buying some coins. If you aim for only short-term investments, then now will be the best time to buy. But if you are aiming for long-term investments and higher profit, then I suggest that you wait till the hard-fork by November, and then you start buying bitcoins because surely its price will drop.

Bitcoin might be the most popular among the cryptocurrencies but it is also subject to many external factors that might affect its price. A single country that may ban the usage of bitcoin would likely impact its price significantly. Be reminded that before you invest into bitcoins, you must be mentally ready to accept all positive/negative consequences but don't worry, the chances of you losing money is slim.

The funny thing is, bitcoin is already giving various opportunities to individuals currently and certainly in the future. Due to bitcoin's volatile and decentralized nature, people are taking advantage of it by investing through time. Also, the existence of campaign signatures have provided people an alternative way of earning extra money without compromising too much of their time. If bitcoin will continue to function like this in our society, we can all agree that it has the potential of improving a country's economic situation by providing jobs to all classes in the society.

Different in nature, not prone into addiction. Those two are separate from each other but both involve risks of losing money or a thing. Personally, I think trading is better compared to gambling since you may provide your skills and abilities in exchange for payment. While gambling, for as long as you have the capital and money to bet, you know have bullets in the war. Lastly, trading is not a disease in the society compared to gambling where one can be addicted and affect their family and community.

The advantages of bitcoin are also its disadvantages depending on the current situation of the market. Here are some of disadvantages of using bitcoin today:

1. The volatility of bitcoin is a double-edged sword, very unpredictable in its price and might result to a profit/loss on an individual;
2. Its limited supply of 21 million in the market;
3. Some counties ban the usage of bitcoin, resulting to a decrease on potential investors;
4. There are many external factors that can affect its price like the banning of ICOs in China; and
5. Its decentralized nature makes it as a perfect medium under the dark web for illegal transactions.

Those are some of my opinions regarding its disadvantages but the advantages of using bitcoin in the community supersede all of those what I stated. There may be some drawbacks from transacting bitcoin but let us not forget its endless opportunities in the community.

I completely agree. Before, the abuse of drugs were very rampant at that time and users are looking for ways in order to purchase drugs without being caught by the officials. Due to bitcoins decentralized nature, it served as the medium of exchange under the dark web and this gave rise to a new set of knowledge being spread around the web. Because of this event, this affected bitcoin in its reputation as a currency that cannot be tracked, thus, attracting investors and users throughout the globe.

Well considering that most of the population around the globe are still on the "developing" sector, I would say that bitcoin is slowly changing some parts of the world in terms of having equal opportunity on earning extra cash. It is undeniably a fact that most countries that are in the "developing" sector have their priorities set into boosting their economical standards and having internet connection all-through-out their country may be far from their initial plan is but we must also consider bitcoin's essential to everybody. Its investment is a privilege, and you just treat it like part of your assets.

Well it is possible to start a business without having the knowledge or background, however, that would only lead to the failure of the business within the first few months of its operation. Like you said, starting a business is like raising your family. You plan ahead and set goals and missions to be able to provide and support it in order to recognize the potential in the future. Starting a business also involves huge amount or risks, but with the knowledge you have about your product, you can reduce these risks and take it as an advantage in order for it to grow.