Nigeria is a very blessed country with virtually everything you can think of... from Natural resources to human resources. We really do not have a business with being poor.

The major problem with Nigeria is that we have not really had a leader with vision and the political will to pursue the Nigerian dream. All we have so far are people who want to enriched themselves and their cronies with no regards to what happens to the country, her citizens and her future. Now that leadership failed us, should we fold our hands and cry forever?

Look around you, you can practically see opportunities everywhere. I intentionally went for market survey this Christmas season to see the prices of things especially those with high demand. I was shocked to know that 4 months old broiler is sold for as high as N15,000. A rubber of garri goes for N1,700, a bunch of plantain goes for N5,000 while a bag of rice goes for N56,000. I quickly recurred growing up in the family of farmers, these were items we were playing with then that have turned treasures.

It is actually funny that the food production of Nigeria is not enough to feed the citizens.  Why then are people not going into farming? Why do we cry about unemployment when many people have lands they can cultivate in the villages yet lying fallow. I truly see a very big opportunity in farming.
 
There are many other areas that present huge opportunities that people are not tapping into. My mindset has changed so much lately as I have realised that Nigeria is like an untapped treasure. I'm from South South Nigeria and I can only say about my area. Those from other regions can narrate what they consider as opportunity in their place.

I just felt I should bring this up here maybe it will help someone in managing expectations and the entire gambling process.

From experience, I have realised that many people run into problems when they focused so much on winning a particular bet amd when such bet fails, they easily slide into psychological crisis.  Considering that gambling is a game of probability with the chances of losing higher than that of winning, it is therefore expected we work out ways of approaching it so we can remain profitable.

One way of approach is to focus on winning certain number of bets in a series of bets. For instance, you can target to win at least 4 bets in a series of 10 bets with the odds being at least 5 odds. This way, you can lose 6 times and win 4 times yet you still remain highly profitable.

This is my approach and through it, I don't get depress over few loses. This method works for me and I feel it will also work for others. Your opinion are highly welcomed.

There is no doubt that Bitcoin mixer is a great innovation. It is actually what makes Bitcoin retain some of its key attributes like privacy and anonymity. However, the recent congestion of the mempool resulting in high transaction fees and longer waiting time for transactions confirmation might have huge impact in mixing business considering that mixers usually have time range for settlement, this being unique for each mixer and often used as competitive advantage.  

Do you think this could be a major challenge to the business of coin mixing?

Recent developments have brought some form of uncertainties regarding the future of Bitcoin. Consequently,
several posts have been raised to that effect yet they are left with no clear answers. If we were to go back to the roots, Satoshi himself would have been in the position to answer some of the key questions such as:

1. The fate of Bitcoin as regards to high fees when the block reward gets to zero

2. If He envisaged things like Ordinals being launched on the Bitcoin Network.

3. If he actually projected mainstream adoption of Bitcoin in term of the features of Bitcoin such as speed, security, accessibility as cost effectiveness, base on present realities.

There should be others so I feel we can make this a discussion while I expect answers from those who have.

[this post and the video in it]

Even though some people will argue that Bitcoin was not created primarily as a means of investment, it has become obvious that Bitcoin presents a good investment opportunity. Many people even use Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat is plagued by inflation. One aspect that have created much argument is real estate with many saying it is more reliable than Bitcoin that they claim is risky.

I know several threads have been made in this regards with most of them moribund. I created this post because I feel so bad regarding what happened in my country. As you can see in this post and the video in it, the state government demolished an entire estate with several buildings and properties inside. This is peoples investment that just got destroyed. This was a property approved by previous administration but demolished by new government...another risk many people do not put into consideration in real estate and some other physical investments.  This is a confirmation that Bitcoin is safer and better than many conventional investment portfolios.

Anyone still doubting the freedom, comfort and peace that Bitcoin offers is probably yet to embrace reality.

My journey into Bitcoin was entire due to the need to send payment across borders as there was FX and several other restrictions in my country. So, I joined Bitcoin just to use it for cross-border payment without knowing it could actually be a way of creating wealth in the future.

Just recently, I was tempted to check my first ever Bitcoin wallet to see what I have done in the past. I was so depressed seeing the volume of Bitcoin that have passed through my wallet without me saving a reasonable portion of it.

I have the feeling that many forum users too have similar experience; do kindly share just maybe I can feel a little better knowing that I'm not a lone.

I was going through coinmarketcap today to see some of the cryptocurrencies I was involved in when I started, I was so surprised to see that a lot of them have even been delisted. I was heartbroken seeing that some tokens who raised millions of dollars, had huge community and were trending even in various platforms just died. I wanted to not mention any particular token but I have to mention PumaPay that raised about $8 million yet could not deliver anything and got investors holding a bag of shit.

If one can turn back the hand of time, and assuming I joined this forum early when I started my crypto journey, maybe the concept of shitcoins would have dawn on me and that would have made me convert those worthless bags to Bitcoin when I could.

I know there are other who would have similar experience too and there are still others caught up in the euphoria of getting rich through one token or the other. Well, if it is not Bitcoin, it is not worth holding.

There is a popular saying that "when the purpose of a thing is not known, then abuse is inevitable". This statement is true even in this forum as understanding your purpose and motivation for join this forum will, to a great extent, determine your approach, commitment, contribution and how long you will stay here (a lot of people disappear after few weeks... I don't mean to scare you though  ).

Different people joined this forum for different reasons: some to learn about Bitcoin, some already know about Bitcoin but felt the need to join a community where Bitcoin is like a home( to see some of them, go to WO thread) and there are those who joined because they heard that people here make money... so their only motivation is to make money even very quickly.  These are the people that spam, lie and do all manner of despicable things because they want to beat the natural process of learning and growing.

I want to announce to you that if you are only here because you want to make quick money, then you may mostly likely not make the money and here will be so boring to you because you will reveal that tendency and the OGs will notice you.
Some of the older people can share their experience as regards to how they started, maybe we all can learn somethings too.

[Cointelegraph]

Just saw an article on Cointelegraph that Mt. GOX will be refunding victims of the hack that happened to them years ago,  next month. While this is good news for the victims and will restore some level of confidence in the entire Bitcoin community,  there are concerns regarding the impact of such move on the price of Bitcoin.

The exchange lost 850,000 BTC to the hack in 2014. The concerns is that this proposed refund might lead to a huge dump in the price of Bitcoin. If Mt. Gox actually refund their victims, how do you think this might impact on the price and future of Bitcoin.

Different people with different approach to gambling. Some prefer committing huge capital to high probability small odds while others prefer using small capital to target big wins. There are many reasons for each of these approaches.

While those that put huge capital win more often, their losses are usually painful. On the other hand, those that commit small capital to make huge wins rare win but when they do, they win big; their losses too are less painful. There are other advantages and disadvantages for both approaches but for the sake of this discussion, let's know which approach you think is better and why?

The success of every nation is a reflection of their security architecture. When the security apparatus is solid and in tandem with the vision of the founders of the nation, every other segment of the country will align. But when the security system, that is supposed to be an institution, is compromised, every other thing will fall apart; this is the case with Nigeria.

Nigeria's security institution is burdened with corruption; from the army to the police and virtually every arm of it. It is rather unfortunate that the top military hierarchy are just politicians in military uniforms. As it stand today, laws are made only for the poor because the rich are under the protection of the security forces who are ready to kill to protect them

It was so frustrating seeing that Nigerian police, the army and civil defense personnel played key role in rigging the 2023 General elections as they were practically involved in ballot box snatching, and even protected hoodlums that came to disrupt elections in many places. Furthermore, they watch INEC officials collude with thugs to change results of elections in many places. Now how do we make progress as a people when the security that is supposed to enforce laws and orders are the prime breakers of same laws?

We knew how several accusations have been raised by prominent Nigerians like T.Y. Danjuma that the security forces collude with terrorist and bandits to kill Nigerians. These are not just casual statements or speculations... the man is am authority in that area.

Until our security institution is reformed and made to stand for what they are supposed to, I don't see us making much progress as a people.

Hello my country people. I hope say we dey push forward even though our country no too dey give us joy? Well, make we no give up... las las we go dey ok.
 
I take eye observe say we dey feel too comfortable blaming everything for we country on politicians. Person go thief, them catch am, him go blame politician and government wey no provide job. Fine girl go leave to learn handwork go dey do olosho and at the end, she go blame politicians and government. Even some papa them wey born full house when them no get work still dey blame politicians and government. Before now me self follow for this habit but recently, something just touch my mind say e be like that pattern no make sense at all. E dey make people lazy and irresponsible!

Even though our politicians and government no too try, that one no mean say them go chop blame for every bad thing wey happen and even wrong decision and choices people make. Even inside this our country wey no keep face well, e get people wey still dey meet up for their dreams so make we dey try to adjust and push on.

Some of the way we fit dey push forward for our country now na :
1. Planning well with our resources and time
2. Finding something legit and giving it your very best
3. No shame to hustle even if it means starting small.

This one na my views, my people how una see am?

It is no longer news that tribalism is a thorn in our flesh as a nation. It's divestating effect can be felt in virtually all sector of our economy... from choice of leadership, recruitment  process, public service to condoning evil done by our tribesmen; these are few of the ways tribalism have rendered us unprogressive.

When I was meditating on what could possibly be the solution to the menace of this monster, the first thing that came to my mind was A UNIFIED LANGUAGE. Language is one of the strongest unifier known to man. It dated back to the Biblical era during the building of the tower of Babel. God stopped that project by simply making them speak different languages so there was no unity and coordination... this will tell you how powerful language is.

 Various socio-cultural, socio-political, religious and peer groups have their style of communication that make them bond together. Even the military and paramilitary are not left behind, they revere their style of speaking as it create that feeling of brotherhood. Remember how good it feels when someone speaks your language... even among your guys them, there is this joy when you relate and vibe on code. That is how beautiful language can be.

So, if Nigeria explore this option of finding a unified language? Couldn't this be the solution to the ugly monster of tribalism? Well, even though it will not solve the problems overnight, I feel it will start the pathway to our unity as it will enable us have something in common as a people because our diversity is really not working to our advantage. We need more things that can unite us and a common language is surely one.  But how do we achieve this seeing that we have hundreds of languages and tribes?

Actually, ut might seem difficult, but it is possible because when there is a will, there is a way. First step will be to develop the language first and set up a commission for it. Thereafter, it can be integrated into our academic curriculum and made compulsory in all levels of education. Secondly, government programs and meetings can immediately be in that language and the religious bodies could also be engaged to champion this. Since it could be like a national emergency, all hands must be on deck. This is my thinking and opinion... what do you think?

I have never been passionate making any investment than I am buying Bitcoin of recent. While a part of me is so optimistic that I am making the best decision with my funds, a part still entertain some fears. Well, I feel the aspect of fear is normal since I am not buying with 'spare money' as some people will call it... that concept of spare money does not really resonate with me as every penny I have is very important to me now. 

Actually, my little buys might not influence the price much but my joy is having Bitcoin and holding unto it with the believe I will be among those that will look back sometime in the future and congratulate myself for taking that bold step when some people were doubting and panicking.

I draw my inspiration from the saying: "you will regret more for opportunities you never took than those you took and they went bad"

My people, time don reach again wen we gat ask the question: which way Nigeria?

Nigeria is one of the most blessed countries in the world with a rare combination of a vast arable lands, access to sea, abundant natural resources and mineral deposits, not forgetting the human resources the country is blessed with. Do we really have any business with being a poor nation? How did we become the poverty capital of the world?

The citizens of the country are the easiest to govern. Nigerians are patient with leaders, they are willing to endure harsh policies with optimism and everyly law abiding in the mists of provocations. Only in Nigeria will citizens pay for electricity that they never used and pay taxes that are never used to build basic amenities.

Nigerians are hardworking with firm resolve to survive. Nigerians are self motivated, always looking inward for solution to their problems. The energy and resilience of Nigerians are unmatched anywhere in the world. Anything we put body to do, we dey give our best. What then is the reason Nigeria have not assuming her rightful place in the comity of nations?

The closest answer to this question is leadership as a result of the system of government we practice. Without political will, no nation will prosper irrespective of the resources they have. For instance, China was worse than Nigeria in terms of corruption and what have you until someone came on board and exercise the political will to enact laws that makes corruption punishable by death; this was the turning point in Chinese history.

 In theory, Nigeria practices federal system of government,  a photocopy of the system in USA. But the irony of it is that we copied only the title and not the system itself. States in the US are independent; they make their laws, generate their revenues and manage their resources... only contributing certain percentages to the centre that is incharge of immigration, health, defence and few others. Conversely,  in Nigeria, the federal controls everything making the centre too rich powerful and attractive and this out less check and balance in the entire system. This is the origin of our problem.

The Nigerian system is prone to manipulation as the foundation is flawed. This is the reason external forces do interfere with the elections processes to ensure that the worst of the people are installed into power. So, how do we change the narrative? Does it mean there is no hope?

Well, changing the narrative is very difficult but possible. To dismantle the system, issue of religion, ethnicity and tribalism have to be addressed because these are the areas they use in divide the people in order to rig the system. If we can have just one leader that will reawaken the nationhood consciousness such that will make eberything Nigeria first before any tribe, culture and religion, then that will mark the birth of a new Nigeria... until this is done, I'm afraid, we don enter the circle of doom.

It is looking like telling lies is the prerequisite of becoming a politician. As a matter of fact, there is a way you will tell lies that people will start suspecting you to be a politician.  How we get to this point in human history is what no one can explain. 
I don't know about your country but in my country, politicians buy over media empires to sell lies and propaganda to the public... I know this is not peculiar to my country. This may be the reason there is a growing distrust between the leaders and the followers.

But is politics supposed to really be about lies? Why is the polity dominating by propaganda?

[Case 1]

The market -be it stock, forex or cryptocurrency - does not move in vertical line; The movement is always impulse(upward or downward) followed by consolidation (compression or side-way movement). Market goes into consolidation to build up orders and the longer the consolidation, the more explosive the move will be. It is during the period of consolidation that patience, faith and greed are tested. It is during this time that people despair and give up. But should it be that way? Well, your guess is as good as mine... until you handle your emotion, the market will always defeat you.

Looking at historic data for Bitcoin:
-Consolidation from 10th of November 2022 to 4th of January, 2023 lead to impulse that move price from $16,326 to $23,375
-Consolidation from 22nd of January to 10th of March 2023 lead to impulse that move price from $19,568 to $28,478
-Consolidation from 18th of March to 13th of June, 2023 lead to impulse that move price from $24,750 to $30,700. As shown below, the consolidation have always lead to growth in the prize and this sequence is expected to continue.



At present, Bitcoin have been in consolidation from the 23rd of June,2023 till date, what do we expect? Two case scenarios are possible.

Case 1
A sharp drop in price to $26,000 region to test the lower major zone before the impulse move to the upside in line with the historic data


Case 2
A rally from the major zone that have already been tested, the $29,000 region, and this will see the impulse move to the upside in line with the historic data.


My Suggestion
From the forgoing, I am of the opinion that the consolidation will linger a little pending when we will see a major fundamental that will propel the impulse move. I do not see case 1 above happening as I am tilting in the direction of case 2. Furthermore, from the above historic data, Bitcoin will rise even though the "when" is not known, it will happen. If you are already in, do not panic especially if you have some form of faith in Bitcoin.

Note: This not a financial advice but an opinion you might integrate into your planning if you find the information useful. Always do your due diligence.

[WILL]

This thought have been bothering me for a while and I feel we can discuss it here. Many people that are building their Bitcoin portfolio are doing it to also save for the coming generation. However, how this wealth will be transferred to the heirs and the next generation and how this wealth will be preserved without being lost or causing problems still remain unclear.

I understand for other tangible assets, a WILL can be written to be revealed when the time is right. But for Bitcoin, I don't know how this can be done as it may require revealing the secrete codes of the wallets or storage device. Is there any other way this can be done?

My thought was captured in my comment in this thread but I felt to raise a topic for most discussion. In case this topic have been discussed, I will be glad to be pointed to the thread.

My people, e don happen o!  Bureau De Change (the people wey dey incharge of forex aka foreign exchange) don dey tell federal government to ban Binance to save our Naira. This one shock me no be small. I don't know how Binance take dey make our Naira weak abi na Binance dey manage our economy. This one show say the people wey dey handle some of these agencies no even know the things wey fit affect our currency. I truly dey feel bad for this kind news.

We all know say our government no gree create job for the youth, now cryptocurrency na one way youth take dey see food chop, if them ban Binance, imagine how many youths using P2P to see food wey go dey affected.

Binance P2P been help wella even when CBN been dey worry people wey use cryptocurrency. Naija people were still able to exchange, do business overseas and this help plenty people make a living. This will be very painful if government come ban Binance for Nigeria because plenty people wey create account for Binance used their BVN or NIN to do KYC verification.  So if government ban Binance, them no go get access to these portals and there are other ways them go mandate Binance not to allow Nigerians use their exchange as e suppose be.

My people how una see this matter?

For those wey wan read the news in detail, Peoples Gazette carry am.

[Cloud mining]

While we prepare for Bitcoin halving of 2024 which is projected to drive the next bull market, notable companies are reposition for Bitcoin mining and other business continuity plans. The latest in this rank is Binance that have launched a presale for Cloud mining products. According to the announcement by Binance, mining activities will start in October 2023, following the conclusion of their cloud mining products presale that is starting today to end in early September. Check out details of this in Binance Mining

This, I think, is one of the ways momentum is building up and new money will flow into Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general as we brace for the having that is projected to see Bitcoin hit new ATH.