I love your story not because I pity you but because this is a common poignant story with many other people. At the time when Bitcoin was not yet into thousands, people were not very, very careful with the hoard of coins they got. In your case, you could have focused more attention to make sure that your digital asset was safe before doing the upgrade of the PC. it would have been a different story if Bitcoin was already into say $3000 because you would do everything not to lost them. Anyway, all are like the waters under the bridge now. All we can do is sigh and maybe learn some big lessons here. At today's running rate of $9000, that 20 BTC can be costing you $180,000 and that can already be a lot of money especially if you are based in a developing country like where I am now. Maybe you can make a good post on this story of yours.

I also remember the very day I learned about Bitcoin. At that time, i was interested to get hold of one because I was about to be a part of a revshare program (which eventually became a scam, anyway). Just getting Bitcoin was enough for me, it was just alter that I realized that Bitcoin is representing more than a currency it is a big power right in our very hands. I eventually lost my Bitcoin but because there are some ways to get one without buying it, I then slowly recovered what I lost.

I would not say that this same huge mistake never happened with other platforms in other industries but people in BitMEX should have known better how sensitive are the information under their own care. Showing some stupidity by ignoring some security measures in handling a simple case of sending email and sharing important data can be a form of a big concern for the whole industry. Indeed, this act alone lacks the kind of maturity that we should be expected by now with different platforms working for an in the cryptocurrency industry.

And if this case happened with a reputable exchange like BitMEX, how can we expect that other smaller exchanges will not be making similar stupid mistakes? And should there be a big penalty that should be imposed for a player like BitMEX in this case? Indeed, this is like a little boy playing with matches and pretending that he is old enough not to cause a fire.

I applaud this initiative of introducing cryptocurrency in the French High School Syllabus and I am hoping that more students can be enticed to make further study not just cryptocurrency actually but more importantly the blockchain technology in linkage with the Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Thing (IoT) movement and development. In connection with the four video questions, I am hoping that the presentation is really positive for Bitcoin and not done in a way that will put some doubts on the listeners.

Anyway, I am also looking forward for other countries to be following this lead of France. Europe can be a big market for cryptocurrency if the many obstacles and problems can be slowly cleared soon. Now, am wondering does this development mean that France has slowly getting enamored with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency?

The whole world is saddled with gargantuan debt. Countries right now are using debt facility to cover up their inefficiencies and inability to meet their financial needs due to rising number of programs yet decreasing stream of revenues. Aside from the printing of money, borrowing money from anywhere has become the accepted norm. The more money they can hoard from many sources inside and outside their country, the better they feel secured and safe.

But is debt a very secured thing to enter into? Debt can be a big trap and many countries are now starting to feel the heat...soon this on and off heat can be transforming into a fire and an explosion that can engulf not their own country's economy but also can be spreading to neighboring countries as well, just like what we witnessed in the 2008-2009 USA recession.

In the USA alone, national debt is now over $23 trillion, according to website U.S Debt Clock. The milestone has been pointed out on Nov. 1 by Bitcoin advocate Twitter personality Rhythm, who also said that every dollar of U.S. national debt is, in fact, a reason to buy Bitcoin (BTC). Another user presented another interesting take adding: “That’s more than $1,000,000 debt per 1 Bitcoin.”

Indeed, we will soon witness this whole thing explodes right before our eyes. And with this as the backdrop, we should be looking at cryptocurrency seriously as one of the many possible ways we can be protected.

Well, to cut the chase or the story short, I think you just answered your own question. I am confirming and recommending this best option as this can be the safest way for both parties. Why go through the hassle and then develop that feeling of doubt if what you are doing is right or wrong and what are the possible repercussion when there is that safe way to do it?

I am really amaze how come Coinbase is blocking accounts which send cryptocurrency to gambling sites? Is there a law in USA prohibiting such an act? Can someone clarify this thing for me...

As for me, Bitcoin is the future of money and we who are part of its pioneering works will be benefiting a lot especially with the rise of its price. I have to admit that money is of paramount concern for me so when I see the potential of Bitcoin to grow exponentially, I never hesitated to join the Bitcoin bandwagon. But it never stops there because I then realize that Bitcoin is representing a great power right in our fingertips. Hopefully, with this platform we can free us from the unnecessary shackles of the government (when it is not anymore working for the people) and many institutions who are out there for what they can get from us. Bitcoin to me is a growing and evolving organism and so even if it is not yet perfect its potential impact to people will be felt soon. I am feeling lucky to be one of these people.

Long live the future, long live Bitcoin!

I am glad to see these sites where we can report possible scams and frauds programs. Lately, I saw in the news of a program which used the names of different sports personalities and celebrities purportedly endorsing the very program being advertised when in fact the connection is just a big lie. These programs penetrated Google Ads and Facebook before they were taken down because some people started reporting them as scam and fraud. Such is the power of the community action if we are properly guided, we can stop a possible scam right on its bud and we can save prospective victims from losing their money in the scheme. And since many of these programs are using Bitcoin and cryptocurrency to further attract attention therefore tainting the name of Bitcoin, the more that we should be reporting them.

The guy must be referring to China and its potential impact to Bitcoin if ever the country will soon recognize Bitcoin as part of its overall vision of becoming the first country to ever launch a very successful state-controlled and centralized cryptocurrency. China may choose to recognize Bitcoin so that people can be buying its own cryptocurrency en masse. Looks like we have intelligent people now manning the cryptocurrency project of China.

About CZ, he seldom makes a prediction much more with Bitcoin and that is why many are looking at him as more credible and more believable. But as what he himself said, making predictions is the easy part making them come true can be another story. I know that you and I can also be making any predition but we do not have the stature which CZ is holding. Who knows this can even be a self-fulfilling prophecy besides $16K is not that hard for Bitcoin to achieve, anyway.

The bottomline: Let's see what will be whether this good prediction can be coming true. Only time can tell.

I am so sure all of these countries are helping Bitcoin in one way or another. Like converging factors, these all pushed Bitcoin to what it is today having broken the so-called bearish mood. Amazing to see Venezuela really leading the way as more and more people in that country look at Bitcoin as a way to tide them over the difficulties under an economy suffering from hyperinflation and the lack of basic goods. People in Venezuela have a hard time buying many products within their country and with the dollar restriction, they are using Bitcoin as the currency to reach to merchants just outside their territory. Definitely, the resulting economic slowdown due to the continuing protests on the streets in Hong Kong contributed to the rise of Bitcoin in this location. Since there is still no definite agreement on both sides (protesters and government)  protests can erupt anytime, and this can lead to more demand for Bitcoin and the consequent more-than-normal rise in its price.

That sounds so easy in paper but actually that is not. Going to Venezuela and selling your Bitcoin or just using the local exchange platforms available is not a very viable option to anyone. Had it been easy like that certainly we could have taken advantage of this market en masse. It is really amazing how Venezuela continues to be the top model when it comes to how Bitcoin is helping the people cope up with the crippling economic conditions they are in.

Though it is quite painful to see a country and its people suffer from the many maladies they are in, we are quite thankful that they have one tool available for the many. Now, can somebody please tell us more how easy or how difficult it is to buy and hold Bitcoin in that said country...? Aside from Venezulea, there is also Zimbabwe where Bitcoin is getting more popular each day.

What is clear to me is that all the factors cited above played their contributing roles in pushing the price of Bitcoin up. Heard about convergence? It is when many things happen to be present at the same time. That could be the very reason why. Now, some can argue with this but taking one reason and giving it the main credit is just absurd.

The coming rewards halving in 2020 is always a big factor but this is going to be an ongoing one which is pushing more people to buy Bitcoin and holding them. Can we not add that as a factor also, even at a minimal level?

And don't forget the reaction of the market to the statement of China's President Xi Jinping on blockchain technology, though no mention of Bitcoin there but people started to see the light of the possibility of soon opening the country for Bitcoin. There are times when market can be acting this way, even irrational if we look at it closely.

Is there really no tax imposed on cryptocurrency in South Korea? Please don't curse your government if the concern is its plan to tax cryptocurrency transactions and gains from trading. Other big and small countries are taxing their people when they are into cryptocurrency as the government has the responsibility to raise revenues for all of its operations and programs. One the government will be implementing a tax system, taxpayer can demand more from the government and you all can criticize it of any corruption or wrongdoing. This is a shared responsibility by all people and not one should feel privileged nor exempted from getting away in paying tax. Remember always: Tax and Death are the only very certain in this world we live in.

This is another good option that Binance is presenting to its growing US-based customers. Using debit cards can means more convenience and more access, though someone above can be questioning the fees involved but I am hoping they are still competitive. We understand that in past few months, the use of debit/credit cards was spurned by many banks, that is why today the easing of this facility should be taken as a good step favoring the users or consumers. We are hoping that other big and small cryptocurrency exchanges can secure the same service for their growing clientele as well.

The point is that anybody can be making guesses as to where will be the price of Bitcoin at a specified time. You and I can easily do it and we can just cite anything to prove our own predictions. So why not just listen to my own predictions or even better yours? The cryptocurrency marketplace is filled with people like Asuka who made a sure prediction and then when it failed to happen they give another one, as if the solution to their lack of credibility is to churn out more predictions. Anyway, this is an open market so anybody can do and say whatever a person loves to do and say. The only we can do never to be taken for a ride, no not more than once.

There is no correlation here. The government will be collecting taxes and it does not care whether is a massive adoption of cryptocurrency or not. Of course, the IRS will be happy if there can be an increase of revenues they can collect because people are gaining profits in their cryptocurrency holdings and usually IRS does not care if you are having a hard time in your cryptocurrency venture or that the government as a whole is making it difficult for people to get access and hold digital assets.

The only advantage here is that this has become part of the news especially during tax season, at least free advertising for cryptocurrency. At least 150 million will become aware of cryptocurrency when it is time to file the tax form. I am still glad that in my country, we are not yet that strict in implementing tax laws and we can still avoid not declaring our cryptocurrency involvement though am sure that time is coming when the tax collecting department can took notice of the revenue potential of this fledgling industry. Certainly, two things we can't avoid in life: taxes and death.

This is the 11th year anniversary of the publication of the WhitePaper for Bitcoin and many members of this forum are remembering this hallmark event, in a way celebrating this day. I am not sure if there is already a Bitcoin Day but if there is not then we can consider this one to be. I was introduced into Bitcoin and cryptocurrency for that matter way back in 2016 all because I was enticed to join a revshare program which eventually became just another scam. At that time, I remember that the price of Bitcoin was just a little more than $500. After that I lost most of my Bitcoin but I decided to accumulate more via the usual bounties route converting the tokens or coins I got into BTC as soon as possible. Then 2018 came and I decided to let go all of my BTC around March for personal reason, the price was hovering over $3000. That was a sad day for me because two months after, the price jumped into $6000. Nevertheless, I continued scouting for opportunities to earn BTC and that brings me to the present. I now have a little hoard of BTC and I am strongly hodling them for the possible bull run in 2020. I know this is not the most ideal way of thinking but we have to be honest that we all want money here, though I am not limiting my knowledge on Bitcoin as I am aware of its game-changing benefits and advantages.

I heard lot of buzz generated from the announcement coming from Google on its eventual achievement of Quantum Supremacy. However, not many details were supplied by Google on this so maybe we should wait for future announcements that can clarify many of our own assumptions. Can this thing be able to really crack Bitcoin? Can we instead use its power to maybe enhance Bitcoin mining and any other Bitcoin processes? The idea that instead of it killing Bitcoin, we can use to help Bitcoin is really good but how things will be working remains to be seen.

On the other hand, there are those who believe that in reality quantum technology can't be able to touch Bitcoin as it is already resistant to such a threat. We will know which camp can be saying the truth once the technology can be tested against Bitcoin. Let's hope that Google will not be playing an evil Tasmanian in this case and will instead use and safeguard the technology for the benefits of all parties.

And isn't it the best way to govern people? Just feed them the right information that they need, censor those things that the government does not like and modify those things where the government has changed its mind. There is no better way than that, this is even better than the best democracy in the whole world. And I am just joking.

Despite this, China is a country I admire with its almost miraculous rise in economic power and in its growing international influence. No wonder of many are describing this decade to belong to China and with many decades controlled by this giant of a country. We are now in the world Made in China. And when presented with an opportunity to be the driving force behind the future growth of Bitcoin, China might use this chance to be on the driver seat.

I am searching Bing right now for the copy of George Orwell's Animal Farm as that can be aptly describing what China is doing as well as what the future holds for it.

I really do admire your suggestion here and I think Bitcoin holders who are crazy about being completely anonymous with their transactions and who are not preferring the use of mixers can then use your good idea here. As for me, since I do not have a lot of Bitcoin and I am not afraid to be exposed anyway, this can just be adding more hassles and potentially a confusing maze for me with a chance that I can be totally lost in the process. I am one of those people who are completely satisfied with Bitcoin being pseudonymous (not anonymous, as many assumed Bitcoin to be). My current government does not yet care how many Bitcoin I am holding and if I am already gaining with it because the laws here are taxing the transactions and we have the freedom to declare or not to declare our Bitcoin activities. And I am not telling what is my country, for now, to avoid the tax people from changing their approach. 

The past 11 years of Bitcoin can be described with many colorful adjectives: exciting, exhilarating, joyful, thrilling, pulsating, dead, resurrected,  to name just a few, and some nouns like: roller-coaster, scam, ponzi, tulip, bubble, pump and dump, digital gold, bull run, again to name just a few. You can add your own list here.

I am expecting that for the next 10 years or so, Bitcoin will still be defying the norms and be a big source of inspiration for the many. This may not be the perfect cryptocurrency that can be solving many humanity's ills but certainly Bitcoin is contributing something towards the overall development and history of humanity on this planet Earth.

Will Bitcoin finally be recognized by many big governments of China, India, Russia and all countries in the years leading to 2029? Only time can tell but I hope they do...