Hi,

There are two main solutions, and these solutions are available for most existing fiat currencies:

- Either you go on a dedicated echange platform. Even if your currency is not on the available list, you can surely turn bitcoin for dollars and then.. well in your country you can go to any exchange shop.

- Or you can go on websites allowing you to be put in contact with people near you, that are ready to give you cash in exchange for bitcoin.

Both solutions are quite safe. The first one is easier, the second one less expensive (especially if you have to deal with dollars, because you will pay twice an exchange fee).

Or maybe, they are just betting on the announcement effect.

I am sorry for my cynism, but I am quite fed up with all theses announcements that are not followed by any real effect, because the company doesn't really have neither the necessary supporting network, nor the technical tool.

It is great if it is true. But let's wait and see before praising the company for something it is unable to provide!

Hi,

I think that's the spirit, indeed. Most people are trading small amounts, in hope they can make a large profit. But that was not the objective behind bitcoin creation.

Bitcoin was meant to be an alternative, allowing people to get rid of banks. I believe in bitcoin as in an international system of exchanges!

Hi,

Luck is not everything.

Neither is talent, or intelligence.

You need a bit of all that. You need to be daring.

AND you need to be born in the good family. You don't necessarily need to be rich (but it helps A LOT) but what you really need is a great environment in which growing up. Just because what you learn when you grow up can hardly be caught up afterwards. Your family will transmit culture, behaviour, opinions, way of being with other people. That may not seem a big deal but it is.

And if you pay attention to those "great stories" of people starting from nothing and inventing something truly amazing... Well, actually in most cases they grew up in families that had no big issues with money and that had enough to allow them go to school. Even if they chose to drop school, they had financial means to go. And that makes a huge difference!

Hi,

I think you are right.. and wrong.

I think you are right when you say that working harder won't do. That's what your boss wants you to believe, but indeed, I think it is a lie. Just because working hard is never as rewarded as it should be. Because we are living in world in which being young and beautiful is much more important than being smart!

I also think you are wrong when you talk about luck. Because your boss (and those of very large companies) are perfectly aware that they are in such position thanks to their luck. So they tend to close their network, to make golden paths that lead to domination... and are completely unaccessible for anyone out of their private "leading sphere".

I hope this can change. But I think this only way it may change is that we fight. We will never get a fairer situation if we are not ready to fight for it.
And I think this is true in all countries, no matter their GDP!

Hi,

Yes, prices are dropping.

Yes, this situation is rather new... The decrease is sharper and last year has seen the highest increase of all time in value for bitcoin.

And so?

Sorry to say that, but why is it a problem? Such decrease means that more people can invest, at reasonable prices. It makes it possible for companies to developp projects, without paying unbelievable amounts. Just stop panicking, stop listening to those forecasting the end and everything's gonna be alright.

Hi,

Actually, I think this is the good time to invest. Just because what you may potentially lose if everything crashes is lower.

Then, when you say that "we are losing all we had in a few hours"... Well, sorry but the value of bitcoin is not really what matters. I understand that you pay attention to it, especially when trading... But bitcoin is much more than a trading tool! And we have won a lot over the last year! More and more people are talking about bitcoin and even joining the community! We have new tools, new networks and many projects being developed! That's not "nothing".

Please, take care of the community rather than the money!

Hi,

Bitcoin helps people, indeed. But I cannot let you say something like "it is good because it makes people productive on their time off". Do you realize what you say?

I know we are living in a capitalist world, but please.. It is normal to dislike working. It is absolutely fine to say that you don't care about money. It is great to be happy out of work, for any personal reason you have.

Work is not everything and productivity... is just great because if you are productive, then it (should) mean that you can get more free time.

Hi,

I completely agree with what you say. The problem is that all you say doesn't answer the most regular argument I hear:

- Volatility is too high. Bitcoin can never be used as a currency.
- Scams and frauds are everywhere.
- Because it is anonymous, bitcoin will push people to make illegal transactions.

I don't agree with that. Of course not. But you must admit that... Well it's quite true. And for a beginner, it can be a real reason to avoid investing.

Sooo, what would you answer?

Hi,

That could be an idea, indeed. I personnally always have cents in my house. I guess it makes quite a lot of money after years of pegging!

I only see one big issue: on most websites, fees are quite high. How do you take care of that? I won't convert 1 dollar if it costs 2. I'd rather lose it actually.

Any solution in mind?

Hi,

That's a real issue, indeed. I think the fact that there is no authority is one of the most important characteristics of cryptos.
Over the short term, I think there is no threat. Governments and laws are slow.

But indeed, over the long term, they can invest and become whales. They can finally be powerful enough to control prices. Which would be even worse than the current situation.

Investing in real, tangible thing is a solution. Travelling can be another.

Hi,

No.

The answer is quite short I must say but true. The time when platforms gave you bitcoin for free, high amounts and short wiating times is over. It has existed but it no longer do.

And I understand why you want to find such websites. But please, bitcoin is not, absolutely not, about getting easy money watching ad.

Hi,

The cause of the craziness is... Well, actually I see 3 main explanations:

1- Mass media communicate more and more about it. A few years ago, bitcoin was a geeky dark tool, only used for illegal purpose. Today it is presented as still potentially dangerous but also as a potential source of income. Journalists love sensational news. So they don't talk about those buying few and getting a bit more. They talk about the sandwich bought for several bitcoin, which would be worth thousands today.

2- People have had time to try, to implement, to see... They know that bitcoin is not merely about trading. They stick to this community because they want to be part of the "next revolution". The youth generation dreams about being the future Zuckerberg. Or Musk.

3- Governments and banks are realizing cryptos may become a real alternative. And they try to prevent this. But in order to do so, they must communicate about it!

I guess these three explanations must be taken into account. The good news is that more and more people know about all that. The bad news is that many of them only come attracted by lies and deceptive promises.  

Hi,

I think that if bitcoin ever get centralized... well, it will no longer be bitcoin. The idea behind crypto, far more than mere trading, is to allow people to simply exchange things and services anywhere.

If a government has power over bitcoin or if it becomes controlled by any authority, it is no longer a crypto. No longer what it was created for.

Hi,

Sure it is possible.

For companies involved in bitcoin, it will be a net loss. And so for the individual users. If tomorrow bitcoin is worth 0, we will all have lost what we potentially had.

Though, for the bitcoin to "reach" such value, I guess it means that transactions must have stopped and cryptos no longer in use. I don't say this cannot happen, I just think this won't occur in a glimpse.

Still, nobody can be sure! That's part of bitcoin!

Hi,

I am not sure this piece of news really reveals something new... Japan is already a step ahead of most countries regarding cryptos. The government is not trying to implement limitating regulations and some companies even offer their employees to get paid in bitcoin.

So yeah, Japan is a step ahead. But the "capital" of bitcoin doesn't mean much, as one purpose of bitcoin is to get rid of frontiers.

Hi,

Either the website was really hacked or this is what they say to get all the money and never pay back users... I don't know. And I don't really care. Because sadly enough, this is also what bitcoin is about. As there are no rules, as there isn't anybody "responsible", it is logical to see many scams and frauds.

And I understand how disappointed you can be when you are amongst the victims... But that's also part of the "game". And as long as bitcoin is nothing more than a trading tool, this won't change...

We have to believe more in bitcoin. And make it more important than the potential profit you can make!

Hi,

Actually, I think that there are many people knowing about bitcoin... but completely unready to use it. They "know" it is a digital currency. And that's (almost) all.

On top of that, a country needs to have control on the currency it uses. So bitcoin can be used by people and businesses but for the moment it is utterly unthinkable for a government to adopt bitcoin.

Hi,

That's exactky what merit is not about!

The merit system was implemented to avoid people posting a lot of low quality posts. The idea here is that your rank (number of posts, time on the forum) is not enough. You also need merit (quality of your post, helping other understand some topics).

So.. definitely, no, campaign should not give merit!

Hi,

The problem here is not really about bitcoin I'd say. I think that the government is reluctant because they already have experienced what foreign aid means. And if you don't know about it, let me explain.

When a country is hit by a catastrophe. Let's say a natural one. Other people from other country are willing to help. But rich governments are smart: they send help. Part of that help is organized by humanitarian associations (which is.. fine) and other part of the help is composed of entrepreneurs. Those entrepreneurs have the knowledge and material needed for the building sites.
This is nice, right? Well, it could be except that the country in distress msut pay for all that.

Generally speaking they don't have the money for all that. But the rich country is ready to lend some money. At high interest rates.

So do you see the trap?

This has nothing to do with bitcoin. This is about how rich countries "help" poor ones.