Will Bitcoin exit forever?

[Plan well]

Well according to little idea of my Bitcoin has been designed to be a decentralized and persistent store of value , it's the future is not guaranteed.

  Bitcoin could exit indefinitely if:
1  The demand for Bitcoin remains, and people continue to use and accept it.
2 The decentralization network of computers verify transactions (node) continue to operate.
3. No significant technical or security flaws are discovered that could compromise the network.

However, there are also potential risks and uncertainties that could impact Bitcoins existence, such as:

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

It's important to note that the concept of "forever" is relative, and even if Bitcoin doesn't exist in its current form.

[Ever-young]

However, there are also potential risks and uncertainties that could impact Bitcoins existence, such as:

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

Nothing lasts forever; even bitcoin to me won't last forever, but it's definitely going to take almost forever. At least this generation might not be able to witness that if it's ever going to happen.
 
I don't see regulation as a big threat to bitcoin anymore. Gone are those days when bitcoin was banned in a particular country, and that will have a great impact on the market. Now that people have adopted that and planned for the worst from their governments, they will only attack big firms, but adoption will still continue secretly by those interested in it. 
 
On the side of competitors, for the most part, I haven't seen anyone, but if there ever has to be one, then it will hold its place, while bitcoin also holds its place.
 
These days, it's hard to see a crypto project that's completely decentralised to start with, so how can they compete with Bitcoin? Greed, censorship, and centralization won't allow developers to get something close to Bitcoin.

[PX-Z]

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.

Regardless of country bans it  will actually stop people to use it, although price will be greatly affected

2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.

This is highly unlikely to happen, even ETH the second in order, doesn't have at least 50% chance to compete bitcoin in terms of user base, investors, price/value, community, etc.

Security threats or 51% attacks on the network

With the current network of bitcoin this will be difficult and just waste of resources to so such attack on coin like bitcoin.

Loss of public interest or confidence.

This will only possible if those 3 happens simultaneously.

[NurseHub]

Well according to little idea of my Bitcoin has been designed to be a decentralized and persistent store of value , it's the future is not guaranteed.

  Bitcoin could exit indefinitely if:
1  The demand for Bitcoin remains, and people continue to use and accept it.
2 The decentralization network of computers verify transactions (node) continue to operate.
3. No significant technical or security flaws are discovered that could compromise the network.

However, there are also potential risks and uncertainties that could impact Bitcoins existence, such as:

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

It's important to note that the concept of "forever" is relative, and even if Bitcoin doesn't exist in its current form.

Bitcoin's future is uncertain, and its longevity definitely depends on various factors.

Off course, nothing lasts forever, but it has improved incontinence through updates and development. Secondly, it's longevity also depends on how adept it is at those factors and keeps on meeting the needs of the users.

Another is the society defined now by the internet, to which everyone is wagering to belong; the Bitcoin market is becoming wide and certainly will still be there for years to come. 

[SatoPrincess]

However, there are also potential risks and uncertainties that could impact Bitcoins existence, such as:

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

1. I don’t think the government can stop Bitcoin from existing. IMO should nations of the world all simultaneously ban Bitcoin, it would only make Bitcoin a rare commodity and cause an increase in the price.

2. Most altcoins have no utility, no real use case. They are only good for trading as they yield more profit than Bitcoin. In the long term, Bitcoin will outlive altcoins because it cannot be manipulated by anyone not even the creator or developers. On the other hand, altcoins can be easily manipulated by the developers.

3. It is a waste of money to attempt a 51% attack on Bitcoin blockchain. The attackers will end up losing money because the electricity cost to perform such an attack is so expensive and unprofitable that no one would want to waste their money.

4. I doubt people will ever lose interest in Bitcoin. As we know, many consider Bitcoin to be an asset and as long as there is profit to be made, I believe that the interest will remain.

[Jating]

Well according to little idea of my Bitcoin has been designed to be a decentralized and persistent store of value , it's the future is not guaranteed.
1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.

Future? It's already in the present and yet Bitcoin continue to exists with all the regulations from countries to countries and financial watchdog like AML.

2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.

Common, what altcoins do you think will challenge Bitcoin? I'm sure you don't know about the so called Flippening (ETH) and Rippening (Ripple) before. Those where school of thoughts that during 2017-2018 era who says that either of the two will dethrone Bitcoin but it didn't happenned.

3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.

Not worth it, will cost millions upon millions for a entity to do this. So I don't think that they will attempt this. Perhaps before it can be done, but with todays' so many players in the mining industry, they will not even think of it.

4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

Give us example of what events that you see that people will lose their trust or confidence on Bitcoin.

[Smartvirus]

This is a topic I really don’t wish to venture into. Even you wouldn’t exists forever to be able to have an overview of the ideas you now speculate over but, I can say Bitcoin could exists for a long time, long past our generation speculatively.
The future holds what the future holds and while we can only hope it would be better and as Bitcoin enthusiasts, we wish the technology doesn’t bring our worst fears if we have them to light, Bitcoin is here to stay. Even as you believe, do ensure your investing on my what you can afford to lose and never go all in. It’s the principle and playing ot safe is the best way to go about it.

[Publictalk792]

I mostly agree with you. You have shown both sides of Bitcoin future including what helps it last and what could hurt it. Bitcoin independence continued popularity and strong network are crucial for its survival. However outside factors like new laws competition from other cryptocurrencies security risks and losing public interest could harm its chances. But the term of 'forever' is doubtful. Because everything can't exist forever.

[OcTradism]

  Bitcoin could exit indefinitely if:

I have to wonder what exit means in your thinking. When I read exit, I guess you mean things like death or scam exit.

1  The demand for Bitcoin remains, and people continue to use and accept it.

Demand remains, people continue to use and accept it, will price drop?

2 The decentralization network of computers verify transactions (node) continue to operate.

It is good if decentralization of Bitcoin network will be maintained.

3. No significant technical or security flaws are discovered that could compromise the network.

There will be bugs like everything with code can have but Bitcoin is built with contributions from a decentralized developer community and Bitcoin developers are top notch, they are professional with their works. Testnet help to test their code and fix bugs before an upgrade goes to main net.

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.

https://newhedge.io/terminal/bitcoin/legality-map

2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.

I am not a Bitcoin maximalist but most of altcoins die.

How many cryptocurrencies have failed?

3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.

Threat exists but threat of 51% attacks on Bitcoin network is much smaller than on altcoin networks.
How many Bitcoin confirmations is enough?
How many confirmations are equivalent* to 6 Bitcoin confirmations?

4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

With time, with many scam and death of altcoin projects, people will recognize risk from altcoins and their confidence on Bitcoin will increase.

[Pi-network314159]

Just as the saying goes that " nothing last forever" if human being does not Last forever i don't think bitcoin will last forever neither but I believe it will stay for several decades. In as much as we preach about bitcoin everyday doesn't mean that there is a guarantee of not undergoing changes. What I believe about bitcoin is that it will last for a long period of time, but it doesn't mean It will last forever because no one even know how long it can last. The world is full of Changes meaning that a new thing greater than bitcoin may come up and distract the minds of people. because most people are already Groumblings about  the price of bitcoin, saying it's too expensive to afford so they need  an investment that will help grow gradually and make them rich just like bitcoin. And if anything slight difference from bitcoin should exist I think bitcoin will reduce the value because people will pull out their fund, that is the only thing that will reduce the value of bitcoin.

[Darker45]

Let's probably forget about forever. In several decades, we'd all be dead. Let the far away future take care of itself. For me, what's important is that Bitcoin would continue to be here 50 years or so from now. That at least gives me enough confidence that my money put into Bitcoin won't be for naught. There might be risks, but they're certainly worth it. After all, we are not just rooting for something shallow; we're rooting for a decentralized system no country, however powerful it is, could shut down.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Let's probably forget about forever. In several decades, we'd all be dead. Let the far away future take care of itself. For me, what's important is that Bitcoin would continue to be here 50 years or so from now. That at least gives me enough confidence that my money put into Bitcoin won't be for naught. There might be risks, but they're certainly worth it. After all, we are not just rooting for something shallow; we're rooting for a decentralized system no country, however powerful it is, could shut down.

Not just that, it is said that Bitcoin could be mine in the next 100 years, 2140 as others said, so we can't really wait that long for Bitcoin and so we are all dead by that time. And if there will be a take-over, whether it's ETH or others, it could have happen before.

But not in the next coming years, Bitcoin is to big to fall, it has established it's dominance almost 45%-50% so it's very difficult for any coin to suddenly go up in billions in terms of market capitalization and overtake Bitcoin at the top position. Regardless of what the argument of the OP, it's obviously flawed, in my opinion.

[SquirrelJulietGarden]

Not just that, it is said that Bitcoin could be mine in the next 100 years, 2140 as others said, so we can't really wait that long for Bitcoin and so we are all dead by that time. And if there will be a take-over, whether it's ETH or others, it could have happen before.

But not in the next coming years, Bitcoin is to big to fall, it has established it's dominance almost 45%-50% so it's very difficult for any coin to suddenly go up in billions in terms of market capitalization and overtake Bitcoin at the top position. Regardless of what the argument of the OP, it's obviously flawed, in my opinion.

To understand this, OP will need to read some fundamental resources.

How is the 21 Million Bitcoin Cap Defined and Enforced?
Controlled supply of Bitcoin
Equivalent Network Time of Bitcoin

The Equivalent Network Time gives insightful table on time needs to mine 1 BTC with different Bitcoin Epoch but it is meaningful only if Bitcoin network will continue to operate with active miners.

[pooya87]

If you replace the word Bitcoin with most anything else, what you said can be said about them as well.
For example "Dollar will continue to exist as long as people accept it"...

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

1. That does not threaten existence of Bitcoin as a decentralized network. It can only threaten the growth and its price. Such a ban is also local not global and Bitcoin is a global system.

2. That also doesn't threaten Bitcoin's existence. Regardless of the fact that there hasn't been any kind of competition in the past 15 years for Bitcoin as a decentralized payment system, even if there were it still be an "alternative" not a replacement to be a threat.

3. That's the only viable threat that has been addressed by reviewing the code and the fact that the cryptography used is  solid algorithms and with decentralization that has made attacks practically impossible.

4. Again that can be said about anything! If you want to make an argument you have to do much better than vague statements like this. For example explain why would people lose interest or confidence so we can discuss that reason not the result.

[mk4]

In the grand scheme of things the safe assumption is that it may not exist forever, but it definitely will exist in a good amount of time, and I'm thinking thousands and thousands of years here.

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

None of these will be close to killing Bitcoin, even with all 4 combined at the same time.

[Davidvictorson]

Well according to little idea of my Bitcoin has been designed to be a decentralized and persistent store of value , it's the future is not guaranteed.

  Bitcoin could exit indefinitely if:
1  The demand for Bitcoin remains, and people continue to use and accept it.
2 The decentralization network of computers verify transactions (node) continue to operate.
3. No significant technical or security flaws are discovered that could compromise the network.

1. No one knows how long the original bitcoin is here for. Original because we have bitcoin ETFs and other variants may come up later. But from all indications as long as we continue to hold bitcoin and find other use cases for it, it is going to remain.

2. Of course, when compared to other cryptocurrencies that are centralized bitcoin's decentralized network is resistant to any coordinated attack that thinks it can succeed in shutting it down.

3. Because of its open source nature, any technical or security flaws are identified and resolved way before it becomes a major issue.

[Despairo]

1. That does not threaten existence of Bitcoin as a decentralized network. It can only threaten the growth and its price. Such a ban is also local not global and Bitcoin is a global system.

Yep, SEC or other regulatory institutions want to ban Bitcoin completely (global ban), it doesn't stop people to use Bitcoin, as long as we didn't link our coins to centralized sites, they have to way to stop us. It's really hard to stop Bitcoin, except the government install a chip inside of human head, so they can track every human activity for 24/7.

We shouldn't forget how SEC is enforcing centralized sites to delist Monero, although they're few exchanges have delisted Monero, Monero is still exist.

[Blitzboy]

The best thing since sliced bread, Bitcoin is the future of currency. But it takes toughness and strength to stay at the top. That means no funny business, no security breaches, no 51% attacks.

I understand that public opinion and rules worry certain people. You know what? They raise valid issues. Those are issues we cannot overlook. But I'll tell you something: obstacles are really chances disguised. The government has to hear from us and be shown why Bitcoin is the greatest and beneficial to all. We have to create trust and educate the people.

And things are continually changing in technology. We shall work things out and find answers to these issues. Bitcoin is going to become much stronger and even better. These are the times, people. Do you not want to be a part of something significant?

[davis196]

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

1.A Bitcoin ban in certain countries cannot destroy the blockchain. It can only affect the BTC price.
2.The competition from altcoins cannot destroy the BTC blockchain. It can only affect the Bitcoin price.
3.Thie 51% attack been discussed way too many times on the forum. There's no need to repeat the same arguments over and over again.
4.Again, this affects the price, not the blockchain.
In summary, the Bitcoin blockchain will keep existing, even if the price drops to levels that were seen 10 years ago. Mining difficulty will be adjusted and mining will always be profitable in the long term(but it depends of the mining equipment).

[Hatchy]

1. Regulatory changes or bans in various countries.
2. Competition from other cryptocurrency or alternative technologies.
3. Security threats or 51% attacks on the network.
4. Loss of public interest or confidence.

We cannot be 100% sure if BTC will last for ever as we are just mere humans who in no time will have to face nature's call. BTC is a technical advancement which was designed to be used by humans and so long the world, technology, the Internet continues to exist(if man doesn't ruin the world by themselves) it will still be there carrying out it's core function as a means of transaction.
[¹]Even though there are countries where BTC is banned it actually doesn't stop anyone from using it. It's a decentralized system and the government cannot control who use or not use BTC so long you keep your identity hidden.
[²] for years now, there have been so many crypto currency forked out of BTC. They try to be like BTC, some even use it's code but they have not been able to create anything close to BTC. To be frank, I really dont see any cryptocurrency getting even close to BTC in the next 50 years. Though I'm not saying it's not possible.