Africa in general seem to be replacing either their local currencies or adding Bitcoin additionally to their local currencies. The thing is, it makes sense. The areas that Bitcoin is adopted most in Africa are the poorer regions, or the regions known for corruption. So, the poor are generally looking for a way to rise above that corruption, and make their money to feed their families. Bitcoin, provides a lot of things that makes that happen for them.

Especially with banks. I believe there's been issues in Africa (and other countries mind you) over the years with the banks being corrupt, and keeping the people's money. So, of course Bitcoin provides the opportunity to take out that third party, and therefore take the risk out of it.

At the moment, Bitcoin seems to be abused by the rich to make money or for those that are oppressed, and poor to get away from the corruption. Obviously, I'm only going by what the news portrays, so I might not be entirely accurate there, and there might be reasons I'm missing, I suspect there are. However, I do believe it's a major factor in the adoption there.

Ultimately, even when attempting different ideologies, the rich, and powerful are going to have a head start. There's no real way of reducing that, in terms of introducing a newer currency. That doesn't mean it's not a better system mind you.

Right, which is the frustrating part about threads like these ones. They fully focus on the perceived value of Bitcoin, but the real value has already been achieved. We now have a more decentralised currency, that doesn't have the typical drawbacks that you outlined above that you have with fiat currencies.

It already achieved its purpose many years ago. The effects of that, is the perceived value that everyone seems to be obsessed about. While, I do somewhat believe Bitcoin was implemented to be deflationary, and combat traditional ideas, I don't think it was it's primary objective.

I mean, you should be investing for you, and that should be done under the conditions that you've basically researched thoroughly, and maintain a somewhat unbiased take on the market situation. I literally, don't follow one Bitcoin centric news site, I don't read Bitcoin news other than what's posted here on the forum, and even then I don't let that influence why I got into Bitcoin, and the reason I've still got Bitcoin to this day.

Also, anyone that claims x price is talking through their arse. There's a certain point that charts doesn't help you. They're always based on assumption, and past happenings. However, we aren't in the same position we were six months ago, let alone a year ago. I keep saying it, but we're in unprecedented times, and no one really knows the short term direction we're going in.

However, I think can somewhat predict the long term outcome to a certain degree of certainty.

Brandon Rovval vs Askar Askarov on the 16th of October is going to be an absolute banger. I'd probably go with Askar, but I think there will be some competitive grappling, and some decent stand up in the fight. Brandon does seem to be the underdog going into the fight too, according to my bookie at 2.70, whereas Askarov is 1.50. Honestly, that's some decent odds for Brandon, despite me probably agreeing that Askarov more than likely takes the win.

I probably won't be getting many predictions out in the next few weeks, as I'm away. I might get next weeks predictions out early, but won't be able to update them if any fighters pull out. Gutting I'm going to miss that Askarov fight though, feel that's going to be one of those fights that is super competitive, and potential fight of the night.

Honestly, the only concern I have with that bet is the fact I'm not overly confident on Liverpool actually scoring. We've struggled against lesser sides, and I feel Arsenal might be a little too organised for us at the back. If we haven't improved on our defense, or confidence whatever is plaguing our defenders right now, it could easily be a demolition job by Arsenal.

They've been playing sleek football all season, while we've been pretty much at our worst in several years. Especially in that back line. Whether or not Nunez can start his career up once again with us remains to be seen.

Salah hasn't been his usual self, Jota is coming back form injury, Diaz is definitely dangerous, and Bobby seems to have picked up some goal scoring form as of recent games. So, if we were to score it'd likely be one of those.

I respect the opinion, but I'm also not a massive fan of Gane. I thought Tuivasa highlighted quite a bit that was wrong with his style, and Ngannou obviously almost made it comical to go, and wrestle him on some pretty beat up knees, and get the win.

Gane has movement, but I don't think he has too much else. His kicks were obviously the defining thing in that fight against Tai, although I think if Tai could've defended them better, he would've eventually put Gane on his back.

Jones despite his critics, has some of the most creative moves I've ever seen, without looking awkward. Plus, his wrestling can't be underestimated. He's wrestled with the best, and beat them at their own game. Obviously, he's a little older now, and will definitely have some cage rust, but I think he threatens anyone in the top 5.

Who knows Man City may have wanted United to make the move, knowing it wouldn't be a good one, and knew they'd have to step in. I just can't imagine Ronaldo in a Pep team. I just doesn't look like it would fit.

Ronaldo still has the quality, but with his age increasing, and therefore the miles on his legs starting to show, he might need to reconsider his approach to other players. He might need to be a little more accommodating towards the tail end of his career. No doubt though, he's one of the best players to ever play, and was a joy to watch despite being a Liverpool fan myself.

Anyway, I'm just getting my predictions in. I'm assuming most here are going for a Arsenal win over Liverpool, given their current forms?

If there's no official plans or other substantial community effort I'll likely revisit the idea, and determine how viable it is closer to the time. I think I'd be more interested in doing something like this for the 20th anniversary as opposed to the 15th though. No other reason than I think it's more significant, due to it being the second decade. Hence why I would've liked to seen something like it for the 10th anniversary.

I definitely wouldn't leave it so late, and I'd probably get the communities input once again well in advance. It would be properly planned, and thought out if I were to pick it up in the future.

All I can say for now, is hopefully . However, it's a little bit too soon at the moment.

The only problem with this approach is if the forum did have an event which required users to recover their accounts without their password, these users might be stuck. Especially, if they haven't staked an address or have any other adequate proof of ownership.

Although, there are definitely pros of going this route. Privacy being the obvious one, but it could potentially add security in certain ways. However, I tend to think from a security stand point it's better to have an email, and make sure that email is secured, than to reduce the attack vector, but lose some of the convenience of account recovery.

I don't know why I get my hopes up. It's the same old story with boxing. While I'm sure both camps will blame one, another. The fans will likely pick a side too, but honestly every big event is always the same. Plus, I'm of the belief that Joshua, and Fury have been avoiding each other for many years now. Not necessarily the fighters, but their promoters trying to get the cash cows going for as long as they can.

As a result if we ever do get this fight, it'll likely be when both fighters are out of their prime, which you could argue that both fighters have been showing signs of decline, especially Joshua. It'll be a joke when both of them go on to make fights with cans. I wish we could just boycott the sport until they start making the fights that the fans want, actually happen.

Which will likely come under increased scrutiny in the near future. So, while it might still be legal to do so in the future, it could be severely regulated, and the governments might require the platforms themselves to collect data upon signing up.

While I don't want KYC to become silly, I do think that's the path we're going down. Data is basically the gold rush these days, and the way Bitcoin is designed means the government has a easier way of rationalising any restrictions they put in place, including KYC. 

Man United wasn't exactly settled at the time. Although, I believe their hand was kind of forced. Wasn't Ronaldo being linked to Man City? I don't know how much merit there was to those stories, but it seemed to be getting coverage everywhere including the main football news outlets. I didn't pay much attention beyond that, and certainly didn't verify its integrity.

However, if that was the case they couldn't exactly stand by, and let one of their legends move to a rival club. I don't think they particularly wanted to make that move. He does obviously bring in a decent amount of revenue, and there was definitely a lot of fans buying his shirt when he returned.

So, while Ronaldo may have not been planned, and the right person to sign, I don't think it's all negative from an investment point of view. I think we have to remember that United were god awful before he returned.

Well, it's a limitation that Bitcoin will face. Simply, Bitcoin isn't for everyone, and therefore you'll always have people who don't want to be responsible for their wealth, at least from a security point of view. That's completely acceptable, and is probably the reason that banks will also offer Bitcoin services in the future, or simply people will leave their seeds in a safety deposit box.

While, that does defeat the fundamentals of why some of us use Bitcoin, it's a reality the rest of us must accept. Not everyone is going to want to go into great depths to secure their assets, when they can rely on a third party. Obviously, relying on a third party also has its issues, but there's no real middle ground, it's either one or the other.

While I'm not a massive fan of Jones as a person, at least what we've seen, and heard of him ever since he kind of unofficially retired. He is one of the best mixed martial artists to have graced the UFC. I wouldn't be too sure he would struggle against the top fighters, and he would likely give a lot of them a run for their money. Even the Ngannou fight, I'd be interested as their styles are a little different. Jon Jones is also more versatile than pretty much every fighter at the top. Gane has proved he was one dimensional in terms of just movement, and no ground game, and that was particularly highlighted in the Ngannou fight.

I think Jones beats Gane, quite convincingly. Whereas the rest of the guys I don't actually know.

I'm assuming theymos had good reason to abandon the idea in the first place. Although, I imagine theymos could potentially pick this up again in the future if they deem it appropriate to do so. They've definitely got the pulling power that someone like myself wouldn't have. I just liked the idea, and thought it would be cool like everyone else. However, I'm not very involved in the collectibles section, so having the contacts like OgNasty mentioned just wasn't there. Maybe, that's something that could be established by the time the 20th anniversary comes though.


I did contact some of these, but some of them never got back to me. I believe I remember vaguely one getting back to me, but that burned out pretty quickly. Forgive me for not remembering specifics, I've slept since then .

I may have the message still, but may have deleted it since.

I'd like to think so, but these sort of ideas always get a lot of attention, and then when it comes to fruition that interest dies down simply because of the privacy issues. I personally, wouldn't even like to receive the data, and would probably want the manufacturer to handle shipping, but then that introduces its own concerns.

This is why I said earlier that I'm kind of glad it didn't work out, since I think this should be thoroughly planned instead of being rushed. Have everything pinned down, actually get the numbers down on who would be interested, and what their concerns with the process would be. How to handle shipping etc. Ultimately, it's a coin for the community, and therefore the community should probably have a large influence on these specifics.

Almost all services sell your data. There's easy ways to find this out by just using a clean email address. It's almost to the point its comical. They either do this according to their terms of service, or they ask you for permission to do this or even worse they just do it illegally. Normally, when you bring this issue up to them, they'll offer you come sort of compensation, which is also wrong, but I won't even go into that.

It's always best to assume your data, whatever data you give is compromised if using a third party. Simple as that. Whoever comes up with a trustless way of giving someone data, without them using it could be a very successful person. However, it's likely impossible to provably do that.

You can still technically use Bitcoin without third party services. The only thing you would be required by law to do was to file taxes. If you're doing that, then there's no reason why you can't just use Bitcoin without any other third party.

You can use peer to peer exchanges. The only limitation would be when it comes to escrowing funds, usually that's required by a lot of users here. There's no easy way around that either. Although, at least with that you, and the other trading partner can decide what escrow among you, and you aren't forced into one. For example, using exchanges is usually limited to your geographical area to some extent.

You decide what happens, however you need to make that contingency plan sooner rather than later if you're worried about securing your inheritors future, if something were to happen to you. Obviously, if your family think it's a joke as you've mentioned, that can make it somewhat difficult. However, there's nothing stopping you from making the wallet that you want to inherit it too, and give that to them. Tell them to keep it safe, and that's all you ask.

At least then, when the event comes they get to decide, and have that option open to them. Most people won't say no to an inheritance. Regardless if it was fiat, Bitcoin or watches they don't wear. If it has a value, they'll likely accept. Even if it's out of honouring your loss.

While I do agree it was a strange purchase, and probably not the right one. He isn't exactly perfomring below par for a United player. Despite United being absolutely awful for much of the season, Ronaldo was up there with the top goal scorers of the season who were in very good teams.

Ronaldo is a special player, no doubt about that, and he's no where near finished at the top level. I think it's just a attitude issue with him, which you have to have the correct manager to manage that. Fergusson had to deal with it, like I mentioned before.

Yeah, and with all due respect to Thiago, but he's not been the best as of recent, despite picking up some wins. I do think Oliveria is going to sub him, I think that'll ultimately be the biggest kick in the teeth. I'm quite impressed that Dana has made this match up so soon, because it's definitely a risk to one of his prospects being derailed. I don't understand why Charles gets disrespected so much. He's seriously dangerous on the mat, probably as dangerous as they come.

Obviously, Charles isn't the best defensively on the feet, and that could be a problem. However, from what I've seen from Makhachev, I don't think he'll be outclassed.