Bitcoin has a bad reputation (we should fix it)

[AnonBitCoiner]

Hello everyone!
Despite it being a progressive technology of the future, a lot of people still think that it's a joke.

The people think bitcoin as a joke because they don't have any experience about it and they don't see the success of bitcoin with their own eyes. But Those individuals who involved in it and have some profit from it have strong believes on its successful future.

The old people which have no knowledge about bitcoin  investment think that only government jobs can give then money while all other online business are just fake and they have no reality but the people of present age prefer investment in bitcoin more than any other job because it has higher return so because of this return they forget about its failure.

[vv181]

~
So there is different opinion among people about Bitcoin. Some people consider Bitcoin as "criminal money" because it's often used on the dark web and helps criminals to get away with selling drugs and stuff.

~Like would it be good if we could create a system that somehow will make the life of criminals who use Bitcoin harder?

Bitcoin does indeed used for bad things, but it does not imply that it is meant to facilitate those things. The main issue that you raise about limiting Bitcoin usage in order to eliminate criminals might have unintended consequences. If we specifically reserve a centralized entity to make anyone able to censor a transaction, it is very likely would make Bitcoin lose its significance.

It is necessary to look at another thing when you have that kind of mindset. Say, a simple thing like a knife, if it is used to kill people, do we surely want to somehow restrict its usage?
Actually, in Bitcoin, miners are able to include or exclude a transaction, so practically, there is a way to exclude alleged criminal usage. Nevertheless, how does someone make sure that it is indeed an illicit transaction?

[Oceat]

Bitcoin isn't concerned about enforcing the law or even making sure it isn't used by criminals. The problem is that it seems when criminals or some lawless elements use Bitcoin in their transactions, some are very quick to generalize Bitcoin as a criminal money.

It's not really their fault they learn/know Bitcoin that way since there are against Bitcoin in the first place and those are the people who can easily spread fake news or manipulate the people through media. What they just showed was the negative side effect of having a Bitcoin but they never saw the other positive side. It's like hearing a hearsay of someone who did something to fight their rights yet they did a terrible thing in order to fight that right but they never listen on the other side opinion/story.

In conclusion, there are always two sides of the story which people doesn't seem to comprehend or are they just being irrational? Adoption may be looking slower but we are taking a small steps towards for greatness since there are regulations already in place so that people can have an assurance that their money won't be gone for good. Although, investment are still risky if you don't know what you're doing.

[ololajulo]

There are other ventures of exchange for money even in the USA that still exist to this day like drugs and weapons that investigations are not allowed, and that are criminal entities than bitcoin. The fact that bitcoin is used for criminal purposes does not mean that fiat cannot be used, but let's put it in the same asset class as gold, crude maybe, this time around as a digital asset. While bitcoin mixing can protect identity with transactions, some other anonymous coins still exist with high transaction volumes, though they are not discussed as often as they were in the past, but are still very active and private.

[serjent05]

I think information dissemination is one of the best approaches to changing peoples' negative views about Bitcoin and it is being done.  Another factor that can greatly help is the government's acceptance.  If the government accept Bitcoin, all the negative thought about Bitcoin will be nullified since the government that has the authority had already accepted and stated that using Bitcoin is safe.

Along the course of Bitcoin history, the cases stated by @OP had been there ever since but little by little this bad reputation is being erased. Once upon a time, everyone thinks that Bitcoin is anonymous and is perfect for the dark market but now, many think that Bitcoin is the perfect tool to trace money laundering and illegal activity since Bitcoin transactions can be seen publicly.

[Blurr007]

Like would it be good if we could create a system that somehow will make the life of criminals who use Bitcoin harder?

You are talking about creating a system to make scam harder.

Don't forget that bitcoin is not the only coin that uses block chain, Altcoins also used block-chain.
I am not in support of fraud or scam, but come to think about it, if bitcoin introduces traceable transaction into their block chain, will all coins do ??

Let's be realistic, Most transactions done on the dark web are more massive than the legit transfers, Dark web and dr*g activities produce more money that brought most crypto to their main level today.

[suzanne5223]

We only do our best but understand people are hard to convince especially those that had bad experiences through Bitcoin scammer and one thing is certain no matter how good an innovative concept is, it will still have some bad reputation that's caused through the people that abuse it benefit.

[Pezroly]

There can be the quick decision on Bitcoin promoting - buy some ad spaces in the Web and start to promote. If you have some spare Bitcoins for promoting, it could be wise start.   In general most of people are not interested in Bitcoin, first of all, bank transfers are faster and more safe. Bitcoin transactions can go several weeks now.

[skarais]

I think it would be good if we can convince these people that they are wrong. I know that an obvious way to do it would be an education, which will help A LOT. But as for now, do you think there are other ways to change these people's opinions?
Like would it be good if we could create a system that somehow will make the life of criminals who use Bitcoin harder?

I'm not really sure how you say bitcoin's reputation is bad because it's used in some cases illegal. Bitcoin allows anyone you use it, spend it for any purpose regardless of how you maintain privacy. Bitcoin is a decentralized currency that is basically not controlled by anyone including the government, so if you expect filtering for certain number of users, that means bitcoin is centralized.

Regardless you agree or not, money can always be misused by some people regardless of their reputation. Adoption is expected, but adoption acceleration is very low relation to the reputation of the bitcoin you are mean talking about.

[Crypto Library]

I think it would be good if we can convince these people that they are wrong. I know that an obvious way to do it would be an education, which will help A LOT. But as for now, do you think there are other ways to change these people's opinions?
Like would it be good if we could create a system that somehow will make the life of criminals who use Bitcoin harder?

This is the main power of this invisible currency that it cannot be controlled, but for those who do criminal activities based on this power, I think we and government should need to control those activities first, then this false slander will not fall on the body of Bitcoin. If what you say can be implemented, it will also be a threat to Bitcoin because it will be very controlling, and once it is done there is no guarantee that bad people won't use it again for bad purposes.
We should first think about this thing that we should not blame the whole system for the bad intentions of a few bad people, we should vanquish those people and those bad intentions. So the way to make it harder for criminals to use Bitcoin, is to control the activities of criminals, when those activities will not be there, how will it (bitcoin) be used for bad purposes?

[Kakmakr]

There should be no reason for us to convince people to use bitcoins, because it should come naturally, when they realize what the advantages are to use the technology. (They need a light bulb moment.... and that will only happen when the find the correct information about Bitcoin)

How do you isolate criminals from normal users of Bitcoin... to make it harder for them to use it? The only way I can think of is the stripping of all pseudo anonymity .... and that will render Bitcoin use for everyone else .... useless.. 

[Yatsan]

What's the point of making the impression good to other people? To encourage them? We are not required to do so and also, that would be hard to achieve given that there are just really problems which do exist in this industry. It would be better to just let them have the initiative to engage in this technology for them to have sense of accountability if ever there will be something to happen with their money.

Hello everyone!
Despite it being a progressive technology of the future, a lot of people still think that it's a joke.

The people think bitcoin as a joke because they don't have any experience about it and they don't see the success of bitcoin with their own eyes. But Those individuals who involved in it and have some profit from it have strong believes on its successful future.

The old people which have no knowledge about bitcoin  investment think that only government jobs can give then money while all other online business are just fake and they have no reality but the people of present age prefer investment in bitcoin more than any other job because it has higher return so because of this return they forget about its failure.

Those who don't know that much about this industry may really percieve this technology to either be a scam, joke, and such. It just contradicts to the potential people in this industry are seeing and making use. Difference with perspectives is just normal. Persuading them to engage in this industry will just be a waste of time; imagine them panick during market price downfalls. Who would be blamed? Ofcourse it is who invited them. Bitcoin has been existing for years; been into a lot of issues and accusations but it still do exist and that is for sure because of a good reason those who are not into this industry, should see for themselves.

[|MINER|]

In my personal opinion I think that bitcoin don't has any bad reputation I think our thinking is wrong on bitcoin. Just as we use fiat currency in our conventional economic system, I think Bitcoin is a new currency system that is just invisible and it will increase the security of transactions and funds in our daily lives. Recently I heard a news that an Indian guy committed suicide after learning about bitcoin scamming, who do we blame for that?  Sometimes we see students committing suicide because they can't take the pressure of studies and for that we can't say that studies have a bad reputation. We can't blame Bitcoin alone either.

[crypticj]

I do not know about you, but in my personal perception and according to what I recall hearing and reading about Bitcoin from past years, the stigma on Bitcoin has been reduced drastically in comparison.

You are right, I agree! That's where education plays a huge role. But we still have A LOT of people who think otherwise, and, sadly, these people are the majority. And I still don't see countries adopting crypto education in schools and universities (there are some cases but it's very local).

So as I see it, the situation got way better, but we still have a long, looooong way to go. That's why I'm wondering if there are any ways to speed up this process.

[crypticj]

Like would it be good if we could create a system that somehow will make the life of criminals who use Bitcoin harder?

That's not really a good idea.

If you create a system to make the life of <usergroup-A> harder, what's stopping you from using that same system to make the life of <usergroup-B/C/D..> harder for whatever reason you can think of.
Bitcoin is permissionless for a reason.

Yes! That's the problem. I don't see a solution to it and I think that is what will hunt Bitcoin for the next years.
We see that government doesn't want to adopt BTC and criminal use of it is one of the key arguments they have against adoption.
I think the problem of taxing Bitcoin might play a bigger role for them, but they probably will use the "dark web money" argument a lot, and our community has no answer to that cos that's how the technology works.

[S A KHAIR]

I do not know about you, but in my personal perception and according to what I recall hearing and reading about Bitcoin from past years, the stigma on Bitcoin has been reduced drastically in comparison.

You are right, I agree! That's where education plays a huge role. But we still have A LOT of people who think otherwise, and, sadly, these people are the majority. And I still don't see countries adopting crypto education in schools and universities (there are some cases but it's very local).

So as I see it, the situation got way better, but we still have a long, looooong way to go. That's why I'm wondering if there are any ways to speed up this process.

Bitcoin is growing very fast, if you try to compare which asset class in the past has achieved similar achievements as bitcoin? Almost no asset can grow as fast as bitcoin. Bitcoin is only 14 years old, too young for the world economy to be in a hurry. For a revolution to be successful, it takes a lot of time and effort to get there.

[michellee]

Bitcoin is growing very fast, if you try to compare which asset class in the past has achieved similar achievements as bitcoin? Almost no asset can grow as fast as bitcoin. Bitcoin is only 14 years old, too young for the world economy to be in a hurry. For a revolution to be successful, it takes a lot of time and effort to get there.

And bitcoin still needs more time to be able to get support from people out there and be able to accept bitcoin as we have done. There is no doubt that the existence of bitcoin has reached its current level and will continue to grow.

But we all believe that more people will accept bitcoin because they will see the potential of bitcoin for their lives. And when those people have proven it, they certainly don't want to leave bitcoin.

[Fundamentals Of]

There should be no reason for us to convince people to use bitcoins, because it should come naturally, when they realize what the advantages are to use the technology. (They need a light bulb moment.... and that will only happen when the find the correct information about Bitcoin)

There is actually a reason for us to convince people to use Bitcoin. That is actually helping them. That is what Bitcoin education is basically for. But not convince as in insist, if they already have a different perception of Bitcoin. It is enough that people are enlightened about the case of fiat and what Bitcoin truly is for. Let Bitcoin's features convince them after making them aware. If awareness failed to convince them, then it is their choice.

[witcher_sense]

I think it would be good if we can convince these people that they are wrong. I know that an obvious way to do it would be an education, which will help A LOT. But as for now, do you think there are other ways to change these people's opinions?
Like would it be good if we could create a system that somehow will make the life of criminals who use Bitcoin harder?

Bitcoin promotes a system of voluntary mutually-agreed interactions where both sides benefit from the deal, and everything is happening without any aggression or coercion. People come to understand Bitcoin in a natural way because it solves real problems that they face in everyday life, for example, the constant decrease in purchasing power of national currency and the corresponding raise in prices, which we usually call inflation. Once people understand what Bitcoin is, they no longer consider it a tool for facilitating money laundering or other criminal activity, which harms the reputation of a currency. Learning is, therefore, a key to realizing the real potential of Bitcoin, it is the only way to understand why governments and banksters don't want a wide audience to use Bitcoin instead of gradually debasing fiat money. The problem is that people are lazy enough and prefer sitting before a TV screen because it requires little effort unlike reading books or articles about decentralized technology.

[dansus021]

I think the true answer is neutral there is always people who want to fix the bad reputation of bitcoin but meanwhile there is always people who want to destroy reputation of Bitcoin is two side of coin sometimes the bad win but the good can win too.

What we can doing right now is by spread the good things and try to educate anyone who want to invest in crypto