Casual correlation:
1) Winklevii have long been trying to establish an ETF (COIN)
2) Recently, the Winklevii would like to start a BTC exchange (Gemini)
=> Winklevii may not be as optimistic as they once were regarding COIN, so now they look to start an exchange as a place to put their coins to use.
I hope they are at least diversifying all these Bitcoins into other crypto projects. All eggs in same cryptobasket = bad idea.
Also exchanges are a thing of the past, at least centralized ones.
Sure, diversifying in altcoins that no one cares sounds like a good idea
My thoughts:
1) COIN won't get the SEC approval anytime soon; the potential lose of tax revenue for USG is too large currently and not enough regulations are in place (yet)
2) Winklevii know this; why not front run an ETF with your own exchange? They would be the equivalent of the NYSE if eventually they get ETF approval (They'd be their own market mover).
*I really dislike the fact that I see many of BTC's new infrastructure going the way of our current financial system. A great technology is being lost through osmosis of its best parts into a financially and morally corrupt banking system.
Bitcoin infrastructure is going both way. Haven't you heard of Lighthouse, Bitsquare and OpenBazaar? Bitcoin infrastructure being developed both way is good for broader adoption, one for legitimacy and mainstream adoption and the second one for the honeybadgers of this world. All connected with the same currency.
I've heard of only Bitsqare and OpenBazaar; Lighthouse looks neat. I appreciate the tip off.
Just some thoughts:
Bitcoin doesn't need legitimacy, it already has it by merely existing. The idea of Bitcoin is rooted in trust (decentralization), something humans do not intrinsically possess. The Bitcoiners of the world are demanding security and the implementation of trust (regulated processes) because most are speculating on making a profit from it, hence they care about mitigating losses. This is the fault of humans, not the need for legitimacy of the tech.
Outside of speculation/trading, what purpose does BTC serve the average citizen that fiat dollars doesn't?
If given in the future BTC was implemented similar to a currency, what advantages would it offer that fiat currency can't?
The potential value of what BTC and blockchain technology offers is slanted to those who control the fiat I believe. Short of cheaper moneygram transactions, hedging economic inflation a bit, impressing your friends, diversifying investments, etc. it means nothing.
I am not saying BTC is bad, but the technology is being developed by those with money and power (or will be assumed by those with money and power) because the common Bitcoiner is looking to this technology as his/her way out of their measly middle class life.
Examples (Average Joe):
1) BTC exchanges -> NYSE, NASDAQ, FX already exists using fiat
2) Potential ETF -> Derivatives market already exists for fiat
3) BTC NFC mobile payments -> already exists for fiat and with numerous businesses/banks
4) BTC wallets backed by FDIC -> Bank accounts exist with this
5) BTC as hedge for inflation -> Commodities market already exists
6) Fast/low fee transactions -> Doesn't exist (the transaction processors stand to benefit from this way more than the average joe)
7) Buying goods/services -> already exists using fiat
Examples (USG/business/financial elites)
1) Massive fiat revenue from conversion of fiat for IOUs. Little responsibility to customer on the part of the exchange (as of right now)
2) Unbacked digital asset becomes backed by real fiat (free money with no collateral)
3) Data mining gold-mine
4) Front/back and side door monitoring by the USG for taxation purposes, AML, etc. (huge benefit, companies will get kickbacks)
5) Exporting real fiat inflation into a (by then) somewhat stable reserve choice
6) Companies will save fiat money processing digital transactions and still make a profit by "helping the customer" with cheaper rates
7) Customers have vested interest in using BTC. It's like gift cards to them. Once customers buy BTC, they are more apt to spend it as Bitcoin because it is expensive to convert back; hence they are racing to accept BTC.