Why have Bitcoin instead of cash?

[greBit]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

Wow, that is an answer I would expect from a 6 year old You know paper money can be exchanged from the bank, you can get a new note if you want. Most of the cash is not stored in the banks, but it is only crunching of numbers which is transferred everyday between. All the paper money which comes inside bank, goes outside the same way. It doesn't leave the bank any other way.

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

Bitcoin has already been attached to so many money laundering crimes, I swear. And also, a person doesn't even need to hide their usb stick. And transactions can happen through sms also, so fuck a usb stick. No suspicion, you can always carry a mobile phone anywhere you want. Haha.

[Amph]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

[Miracal]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

There are a lot of ways to check if a note is original or not. It depends on your currency, and there are particular things to be noted. An easy way is to check the texture of the paper, notice the thickness of the bill and compare the bill with another of the same denomination and series. Inspect the print quality, look at the body and observe the portrait. Hold the note in the air and check for watermark. If you are in US, don't worry less than 0.01$ of currency is counterfeited money because of the great print of the bills, its not easy to duplicate.

[pitham1]

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

Why bother with usbsticks and encrypted files when you can have a brain wallet? 

[lorylore]

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

I can just imagine paying at the airport for the flight and waiting for the confirmation(like the stress test that was).
I would lost the flight until the confirmation lol

[0xF6487E]

The way I see it, Bitcoin gives us the true freedom of currency. We are not dependent upon any system to use our money. So it basically is and always will be BTCFREEDOMBTC

Sorry to be a stick in the mud, but the Thai Baht (฿) is sometimes used to represent Bitcoin, but this certainly raises a problem of differenciation between the Thai Baht and Bitcoin.

https://medium.com/down-the-hashrabbit-hole/to-or-not-to-4e952961f41
http://bitcoinsymbol.org/

[Zorrocoin]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

There are a lot of ways to check if a note is original or not. It depends on your currency, and there are particular things to be noted. An easy way is to check the texture of the paper, notice the thickness of the bill and compare the bill with another of the same denomination and series. Inspect the print quality, look at the body and observe the portrait. Hold the note in the air and check for watermark. If you are in US, don't worry less than 0.01$ of currency is counterfeited money because of the great print of the bills, its not easy to duplicate.

But it is such a long and annoying process, it is better to use bitcoin for such situations and there are many    situations in which people fail to  differentiate both the bills  because of the close resemblance. It is so much easier to use bitcoin. Saves time, hard work and also doesn't have  to make us worry about the untrustworthy bitches.

[cellard]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

Wow, that is an answer I would expect from a 6 year old You know paper money can be exchanged from the bank, you can get a new note if you want. Most of the cash is not stored in the banks, but it is only crunching of numbers which is transferred everyday between. All the paper money which comes inside bank, goes outside the same way. It doesn't leave the bank any other way.

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

Bitcoin has already been attached to so many money laundering crimes, I swear. And also, a person doesn't even need to hide their usb stick. And transactions can happen through sms also, so fuck a usb stick. No suspicion, you can always carry a mobile phone anywhere you want. Haha.

I think you are a bit delusional if you think the paper you get from banks is freshly printed. Correct me if im wrong but the cash you get outside ATMs are always re-used from other people and not newly printed.

[wlefever]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

I like this reason the most!

1) More security (especially if you are careful).

2) Bitcoins are a potential investment, cash is not. Paper currency only really goes down in value, Bitcoins have a lot of potential to be worth more as time goes on.

3) Fast, worldwide transactions at your fingertips.

4) Similar to #3, but it's a universal currency. It's legal in most countries of the world and you don't need any kind of currency conversion to send money to people in a different country than your own.

5) Banks can't steal it from you. You may think they can't steal cash either; that's not true. With central banks printing money by the hundreds of billions, and commercial banks creating money as debt like there's no tomorrow, they're effectively lowering the relative worth of your money in their advantage. Remember: stealing 5% off your deposit, or increasing the total money supply by 5% by creating it out of thin air, has essentially the same effect.

6) Bitcoin can be in virtual and physical state simultaneously without the need for conversion I.e. online wallets and, for example, PaperSafe

7) Bitcoins can be backed up. When you lose a wallet with cash, it's gone. When you lose a wallet with bitcoins, you still have a backup.

8) Bitcoins can be password protected. When someone steals your wallet with cash, it's gone. When someone steals your wallet with bitcoins, they can see how much is in there, but they can't spend a dime.

9) It is far easier to carry 500 BTC with you on a plane than 500 BTC worth of cash.

And, of course these bulletined items make up the main benefits of Bitcoin over cash.  As someone who has lost a wallet more than one time (with cash) as well as had an apartment broken into and all the cash stolen I can appreciate the password protected and back up feature of Bitcoin feature.  But also for storing, and carrying larger amounts of money it is far easier like mentioned above to carry 500 BTC on a plane than $146,225 at today's rate of 1 BTC = $292.45.

[Jesu]

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

That's all true, but the powers that be might step up their game in trying to look for this stuff as hard as it will be, but this is one reason they might because it is so easy to transport or launder money with bitcoin but that's something they're going to have to try work out to police. Good luck to them  .

[SebastianJu]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

*lol* I bought something against that some years ago. Maybe you need something like it too then: Safescan 155i

It works great and feels safe if you need to check money.

The problem with faked money is that, when you have such, they will take it from you and you get nothing in return. Hearns plans for tainting coins could have a similar effect when he gets his will.

[SebastianJu]

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

Why bother with usbsticks and encrypted files when you can have a brain wallet? 

Youre right. Some words written in a document. Only you know what its worth. Though if you really criminal you would need to hide even the document since an agency could try build privkeys from all combinations.

But in theory bitcoin will outplay all these financial controls. Or lets say altcoins.

[torrentheaven]

The way I see it, Bitcoin gives us the true freedom of currency. We are not dependent upon any system to use our money. So it basically is and always will be BTCFREEDOMBTC

Yes freedom plus privacy factors attached to bitcoins makes it more attractive. And when it comes to spending you will spend less bitcoins as compared to cash as you view bitcoins as a investment tool and want to secure it for the future So the rate of Saving bitcoins would be more as compared to that of physical cash.

[SebastianJu]

I only now thought about that all the currency controls at airports are completely useless when it comes to bitcoin. Till now people tried to hide cash in clothes, use diamonds or something, now they have a usbstick with an image that has a tiny encrypted file inside that contains a private key. Its so absolutely hideable that its funny when they would try to search someone. I mean all these controls would go to waste. You can hide a small file or even some signs everywhere.

In a sense bitcoin is awesome.

I can just imagine paying at the airport for the flight and waiting for the confirmation(like the stress test that was).
I would lost the flight until the confirmation lol

Yeah... though hopefully the airport will use a 0 conf-service like bitinstant.com or similar services. Or they accept directly when they see the confirmation.

What i wonder is, how does bitinstant deal with confirmations that dont go through nowadays? I mean they would see the transaction, they would mark the item as paid but at the end the transaction wont go through.

[Amph]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

*lol* I bought something against that some years ago. Maybe you need something like it too then: Safescan 155i

It works great and feels safe if you need to check money.

The problem with faked money is that, when you have such, they will take it from you and you get nothing in return. Hearns plans for tainting coins could have a similar effect when he gets his will.

100 euro for that thing, better to spend in a trezonr i guess 

yeah but the big problem is not the seized aspect of it, but the fact that they will ask you from where you found those faked money

and if you can't give them a suitable and convincing answer you can go to jail for having counterfeit money, so it's a very problematic and dangerous thing

[Hazir]

I would like to answer some of your points Op:

1) More security (especially if you are careful).

Security is not really the issue. FIAT is the same as bitcoin here both could be stolen, not really great difference with proper handling.

2) Bitcoins are a potential investment, cash is not. Paper currency only really goes down in value, Bitcoins have a lot of potential to be worth more as time goes on.

Bitcoin could be a potential investment, that is right. But you need to remember that you could also lose money that way.

3) Fast, worldwide transactions at your fingertips.

Yes. But with people using bitcoin only. As for now system and is limited so that is only a theory, as for example none of my friends are using bitcoin yet.

4) Similar to #3, but it's a universal currency. It's legal in most countries of the world and you don't need any kind of currency conversion to send money to people in a different country than your own.

Again, in theory you are right, but for now having bitcoins is similar to situation when you have some rare currency, say, from Africa and you go to your local currency exchange and they don't accept that currency - that is the problem bitcoin is having now.

[arallmuus]

1) More security (especially if you are careful).

Security is not really the issue. FIAT is the same as bitcoin here both could be stolen, not really great difference with proper handling.

Security is what separates and put BTC into another level if you compare it to FIAT. It is a great difference because with BTC you can actually be sure that it wont be lost if you keep it in a cold wallet. Keeping in form of cash is risky no matter where you keep it as banks and vault could be easily penetrated and much more riskier if you keep it under your mattress.
You can be sure with the safety of your money if you keep it in a cold wallet. Simply put it into an unused old computer and toss them off to your garage and no one even knows if your old computer actually keeps thousand of BTC there

[SebastianJu]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

*lol* I bought something against that some years ago. Maybe you need something like it too then: Safescan 155i

It works great and feels safe if you need to check money.

The problem with faked money is that, when you have such, they will take it from you and you get nothing in return. Hearns plans for tainting coins could have a similar effect when he gets his will.

100 euro for that thing, better to spend in a trezonr i guess 

yeah but the big problem is not the seized aspect of it, but the fact that they will ask you from where you found those faked money

and if you can't give them a suitable and convincing answer you can go to jail for having counterfeit money, so it's a very problematic and dangerous thing

Yes... though its something you really would want when you receive cash sometimes. Which is somewhat unavoidable when handling bitcoins. A trezor cant help there. You dont want to get cash that turns out to be not much more than paper at the end. I bought mine used on ebay and it works great and fast.

You should make a copy of the ID of someone you exchange money with. Then, in case you got coins that were scammed, or money that is tainted, you can show who you dealt with. It would be for your own safety to stay out of anything illegal.

[turvarya]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

*lol* I bought something against that some years ago. Maybe you need something like it too then: Safescan 155i

It works great and feels safe if you need to check money.

The problem with faked money is that, when you have such, they will take it from you and you get nothing in return. Hearns plans for tainting coins could have a similar effect when he gets his will.

100 euro for that thing, better to spend in a trezonr i guess 

yeah but the big problem is not the seized aspect of it, but the fact that they will ask you from where you found those faked money

and if you can't give them a suitable and convincing answer you can go to jail for having counterfeit money, so it's a very problematic and dangerous thing

Yes... though its something you really would want when you receive cash sometimes. Which is somewhat unavoidable when handling bitcoins. A trezor cant help there. You dont want to get cash that turns out to be not much more than paper at the end. I bought mine used on ebay and it works great and fast.

You should make a copy of the ID of someone you exchange money with. Then, in case you got coins that were scammed, or money that is tainted, you can show who you dealt with. It would be for your own safety to stay out of anything illegal.

I don't think, much people would do business with you, when you ask for an ID, especially when you even want to copy it.
I certainly wouldn't do that.

[SebastianJu]

Cash is dirty and full of bacteria, bitcoin is digital clean and doesn't rot.

cash can also be faked pretty easily, and you will not even notice it, bitcoin do not have this problem

sometime when i pay with cash at the supermarket i fear that i'm giving false money, because maybe part of those belongs to a rest of another supermarket or another shop that was holding faked money without knowing it

*lol* I bought something against that some years ago. Maybe you need something like it too then: Safescan 155i

It works great and feels safe if you need to check money.

The problem with faked money is that, when you have such, they will take it from you and you get nothing in return. Hearns plans for tainting coins could have a similar effect when he gets his will.

100 euro for that thing, better to spend in a trezonr i guess 

yeah but the big problem is not the seized aspect of it, but the fact that they will ask you from where you found those faked money

and if you can't give them a suitable and convincing answer you can go to jail for having counterfeit money, so it's a very problematic and dangerous thing

Yes... though its something you really would want when you receive cash sometimes. Which is somewhat unavoidable when handling bitcoins. A trezor cant help there. You dont want to get cash that turns out to be not much more than paper at the end. I bought mine used on ebay and it works great and fast.

You should make a copy of the ID of someone you exchange money with. Then, in case you got coins that were scammed, or money that is tainted, you can show who you dealt with. It would be for your own safety to stay out of anything illegal.

I don't think, much people would do business with you, when you ask for an ID, especially when you even want to copy it.
I certainly wouldn't do that.

Its not needed for escrow. But when you are a money exchanger, i met some of those through local bitcoins, then you want to have a copy of the ID. I was told police can knock on the door and ask what they did with the coins they received. Then you really want to have an ID that you can show them. Otherwise the money exchanger is in trouble. And im sure that money exchangers would not do business with someone who doesnt want to give a copy. I mean they see him in person so there is  no reason to not give it besides they are likely scammers. Then not trading would be better.

Though the risk might be not so big and a copy not needed when its about small amounts.