Cryptocurrencies: The New Coin of the Realm? Is the Dollar Doomed?

[BCB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIFoSYZIUGw

In 2009, the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto launched Bitcoin, the world's first online cryptocurrency. Backed by no government or hard assets, the currency's value has skyrocketed and plunged repeatedly. And yet, a diverse group of entrepreneurs, businesses and would-be money launders has followed Bitcoin's trajectory avidly. The receptivity indicates a real demand for an Internet-centric medium of exchange, without banks and without fees. Yet the rise of "criminal eBays" like the Silk Road, which allow for the anonymous purchase of illegal items with the cryptocurrency, have also brought the digital cash to the attention of government authorities. Beyond monitoring illicit activity, should regulators have a role in this new financial system? Could Bitcoin-or another cryptocurrency-become a universal alternative currency? Will we ever be able to use a cryptocurrency at our local bodega?

Participants
Miles Kimball
Professor of Economics, University of Michigan
@mileskimball

Justin Wolfers
Senior Fellow, Brookings
Professor of economics and public policy, University of Michigan
@JustinWolfers

Moderator:
Matt Yglesias
Business and Economics Correspondent, Slate
@mattyglesias

http://newamerica.net/events/2014/new_coin_of_the_realm

[Patel]

That half bald guy gives off some bad vibes

Does anyone know where we can watch Barry Silbert's part of this meeting?

[BCB]

Complete conference is here:
http://newamerica.net/events/2014/new_coin_of_the_realm

Barry Silbert's panel is below:

http://youtu.be/xsN1SoM8ASY

Published on Feb 12, 2014
Cryptocurrencies: The New Coin of the Realm?
Let's Get Real: Will You Ever Use Bitcoin at Walmart?

In 2009, the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto launched Bitcoin, the world's first online cryptocurrency. Backed by no government or hard assets, the currency's value has skyrocketed and plunged repeatedly. And yet, a diverse group of entrepreneurs, businesses and would-be money launders has followed Bitcoin's trajectory avidly. The receptivity indicates a real demand for an Internet-centric medium of exchange, without banks and without fees. Yet the rise of "criminal eBays" like the Silk Road, which allow for the anonymous purchase of illegal items with the cryptocurrency, have also brought the digital cash to the attention of government authorities. Beyond monitoring illicit activity, should regulators have a role in this new financial system? Could Bitcoin-or another cryptocurrency-become a universal alternative currency? Will we ever be able to use a cryptocurrency at our local bodega?

Participants
Jim Harper
Director of Information Policy Studies, Cato Institute
Member of the Bitcoin Foundation
@Jim_Harper

Constance Choi
General Counsel, Payward Inc. (Kraken Exchange)
Secretariat, DATA (Digital Asset Transfer Authority)

Jerry Brito
Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center, George Mason University
@jerrybrito

Barry Silbert
Founder, Bitcoin Investment Trust
Founder & CEO, SecondMarket, Inc.
@barrysilbert

Moderator:
Katherine Mangu-Ward
Managing Editor, Reason
Future Tense fellow, New America Foundation
@kmanguward

[Patel]

thanks BCB

[roslinpl]

Dollar will never die I Guess.

But it might stay just next to Bitcoin

[Duane Vick]

The dollar was doomed in 1913 with passage of the Federal Reserve Act.

[roslinpl]

The dollar was doomed in 1913 with passage of the Federal Reserve Act.

nice fact indeed

1913 ... not a long time ago we can say.

So it is possible again (everything is possible:))

[freebit13]

That half bald guy gives off some bad vibes

Does anyone know where we can watch Barry Silbert's part of this meeting?

And that backdrop made me put my tinfoil hat on... watching intently

EDIT: Ok, tinfoil hat removed... thanks a lot for this OP, very informative stuff. I actually found the video of Benjamin M. Lawsky quite positive which is not what I was expecting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zhIZd9b2-Qs