The cryptocurrency revolution.
The rise of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies is the biggest disruption to the monetary system for 5,000 years. It’s huge.
And so is the opportunity for investors. This could be the only chance you’ll get to take full advantage of the rise of cryptocurrencies.
Are there risks? Of course. This is a high risk market – the sharpest, most wild edge of the stock market. But as long as you’re putting in a small stake you are not going to lose sleep over… I say the risks are well worth it. Because the rewards could be enormous. Life-changing.
If you’re keen to jump in… or even just curious about what’s going on… you will get a lot out of my new book.
It could be yours for free today (for a small R99.95 processing fee). In the book I show you the powerful forces – a perfect storm – pushing cryptocurrencies through the roof. I also walk you through how to buy, store and spend your digital currencies as securely as possible. You will see that it is very straightforward.
Along with your book, I’ll also send you another free gift – showing you the ten digital coins I think you should avoid at all costs. This could help you make a costly mistake.
Never again will bitcoin and cryptocurrencies burst onto the scene like this again. Don’t let it pass you by!
Especially when I have made it so easy for you to understand it and take advantage of it
pffff people
Bitcoin isn’t owned by anyone. Think of it like email. Anyone can use it, but there isn’t a single company that is in charge of it. Bitcoin transactions are irreversible. This means that no one, including banks, or governments can block you from sending or receiving bitcoins with anyone else, anywhere in the world. With this freedom comes the great responsibility of not having any central authority to complain to if something goes wrong. Just like physical cash, don’t let strangers hold your bitcoins for you, and don’t send them to untrustworthy people on the internet.
There are several different types of Bitcoin wallets, but the most important distinction is in relation to who is in control of the private keys required to spend the bitcoins. Some Bitcoin “wallets” actually act more like banks because they are holding the user’s private keys on behalf. If you choose to use one of these services, be aware that you are completely at their mercy regarding the security of your bitcoins. Most wallets, however, allow the user to be in charge of their own private keys. This means that no one in the entire world can access your account without your permission. It also means that no one can help you if you forget your password or otherwise lose access to your private keys. If you decide you want to own a lot of Bitcoin it would be a good idea to divide them among several different wallets. As the saying goes, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Like everything, Bitcoin’s price is determined by the laws of supply and demand. Because the supply is limited to 21 million bitcoins, as more people use Bitcoin the increased demand, combined with the fixed supply, will force the price to go up. Because the number of people using Bitcoin in the world is still relatively small, the price of Bitcoin in terms of traditional currency can fluctuate significantly on a daily basis, but will continue to increase as more people start to use it. For example, in early 2011 one Bitcoin was worth less than one USD, but in 2015 one Bitcoin is worth hundreds of USD. In the future, if Bitcoin becomes truly popular, each single Bitcoin will have to be worth at least hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to accommodate this additional demand.
There are several ways to buy Bitcoin, but trusted exchanges are a great way to acquire Bitcoin. Because there are inefficiencies in the traditional banking system, exchanges will sometimes have slightly different prices. If the difference is too great, traders will buy low on one an exchange and sell high on another and close the gap. If an exchange constantly has substantially different prices than others, it is a sign of trouble and that exchange should be avoided. As with everything else, do your research and find an exchange you can trust. It’s also a good idea not to use an exchange as a wallet. Move your Bitcoin to your personal wallet so that you have control over your funds at all times. You can view our list of Bitcoin exchanges here.
Because all Bitcoin transactions are stored on a public ledger known as the blockchain, people might be able to link your identity to a transaction over time. Some companies offer various tools such as Bitcoin mixers to help achieve greater privacy, but it takes a huge amount of effort to use Bitcoin anonymously. You may want to follow your country’s tax regulations regarding Bitcoin in order to avoid trouble with the law, but you have the power not to should you choose to take that risk. To improve privacy, most newer Bitcoin wallets will use a new Bitcoin address each time someone sends bitcoins to you.
Bitcoin transactions are seen by the entire network within a few seconds and are usually recorded into Bitcoin’s world wide ledger called the blockchain, in the next block. While it’s possible that a transaction won’t be confirmed in the next block, in the vast majority of circumstances it is fine to accept a transaction as soon as it has been seen by the network. Unlike traditional payment systems, Bitcoin transactions are lightning fast and can be sent globally. Bitcoin is still relatively new, but with each passing day the technology becomes more reliable. It is more and more unlikely that a major bug will emerge in the system as time goes by, and people can trust the technology more with the passing of time. Each month people transact hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin.
Even the most tech savvy among us have a hard time wrapping their heads around Bitcoin. It’s a hot topic and a frequent point of discussion among investors, entrepreneurs and stock traders, so you should want to know all about it.
For starters, here’s an overly simplified explanation of Bitcoin: It’s a digital currency (there are more than 800 now) that isn’t controlled by a central authority such as a government or bank. It’s created by “miners,” who use computers and specialized hardware to process transactions, secure the currency’s network and collect bitcoins in exchange. Supporters say it allows for more secure transactions over the internet. That’s in part due to blockchain, a technology that records cryptocurrency transactions chronologically in a public digital ledger.
Bitcoin is only eight and a half years old, but it’s the oldest and most highly valued cryptocurrency out there. In such a short time, it’s had a rocky and controversial history, but it’s also attracted a fair share of high-profile supporters. Click through to read 11 bits about Bitcoin that will make you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about next time it inevitably comes up.
Bitcoin, unlike a traditional currency, is:
Decentralized—no government or central bank controls the currency supply.
Digital—there are no physical Bitcoins or Bitcoin bills. The currency lives entirely online, tracked by blockchains, continuously growing groups of records that provide a complete history of each Bitcoin. (Imagine, for example, that you could use the serial number on a ten-dollar bill to look up every single time it changed hands.)
“Pseudo-Anonymous”—Bitcoins are tied to a wallet ID rather than your personal information, but this doesn’t make it entirely anonymous (more on that below).
Bitcoin was developed in 2008 by someone with the pseudonym “Satoshi Nakamoto.” This person published a paper discussing how Bitcoins could work and just a year later it started being traded and mined.
The reason people are so drawn to Bitcoins is the lack of middlemen and banks with hefty fees. Since it exists entirely online, your wallet ID (more on that later) is what is used in transactions, not your name and other information, unless you give it.
Is Bitcoin really anonymous?
No, Bitcoin isn’t actually completely anonymous. Talented hackers and government agencies have the means to track pretty much anything, including Bitcoin. Although Bitcoin transactions are randomly transmitted over the peer-to-peer network (making it seemingly anonymous), this system doesn’t always hold up.
If a hacker can connect multiple nodes to the Bitcoin network, the combined data collected from these different nodes might be enough to determine where a transaction originated.
Bitcoins can also be linked to real identities if those identities are used in combination with the Bitcoin addresses in some way. This includes addresses used to deposit or withdraw money to or from an exchange or wallet.
How do you get Bitcoin?
You can buy Bitcoin with cash
You can buy bitcoins with hard cash, credit or debit cards, and wire transfers. But first, you’ll want to establish a bitcoin “wallet,” which will be where your wallet ID is derived from. This is just a place to store your bitcoins, just like your wallet holds your cash and credit cards.
According to this article on cryptocurrency website coindesk.com,
The main options are: (1) a software wallet stored on the hard drive of your computer, (2) an online, web-based service or (3) a ‘vault’ service that keeps your bitcoins protected offline or multisig wallet that uses a number of keys to protect the account.
Each has their pros and cons, but the first two have the most drawbacks. You’ll want to back up your computer regularly if you store bitcoins on your computer and online services are susceptible to hackers.
If you’re an everyday user, these online services are your best option, as long as you don’t need complete anonymity and don’t mind the long setup procedures. However, some people believe that this erases the point of Bitcoin and its anonymity.
Here’s a list of the major wallets and exchanges around the world.
You’re probably wondering how much a single bitcoin is worth. That’s a hard question to answer because it fluctuates constantly. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is worth $10,350 US dollars (an all-time high).
You can “mine” it
Bitcoin mining is like digging for gold online—hence the reason it’s called “mining”. With paper money, a government decides when to print and distribute money, but Bitcoin doesn’t have a central regulator, which is what allows anyone to start mining.
Bitcoin miners use a special software to solve math problems (your computer must correctly come up with the right combination of 64 digits) and are issued a certain number of Bitcoins in exchange for solving them correctly.
But don’t worry, there’s not an endless amount of Bitcoins just floating around out in cyberspace. Once there are 21 million in existence, there can’t be any more.
These puzzles aren’t easy to solve and, as I said above, do require a special software. It’s so difficult, that many people can’t accomplish it entirely on their own. Instead, “mining pools” have arisen, where groups split their computing power and, once the puzzle is solved, the winnings are divided based on the amount of computing power each contributed to the calculation. Don’t think that mining Bitcoin is an easy way to get rich. It’s possible you would need to spend more on specialized computer equipment than the Bitcoin you could mine would be worth!
Is Bitcoin mining legal?
This mining process probably sounds highly illegal, but it’s not—at least in the United States (international laws differ in their treatment of Bitcoin).
That said, laws regarding Bitcoin are still evolving and the use and distribution of it is not regulated and is still fairly risky, especially when it comes to taxes.
But where the biggest issue arises is in the purchases people make with bitcoins.
How can you use Bitcoin?
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, states that, as of 2013,
“…using bitcoin to purchase well-natured goods and services is not illegal. However, those who mine bitcoins and trade them for traditional currency or operate exchanges on which bitcoins are bought and sold are labeled “money transmitters” and could be subject to special laws that govern that type of activity.”
This doesn’t include the fact that many people use bitcoins to purchase things on the dark web. Drugs and gambling are among the most popular uses for Bitcoin.
So where can you use Bitcoin legally? Probably in more places than you’d think. Microsoft, Dell, REEDS Jewelers, and a few airline sites all accept Bitcoin as a legitimate payment.
Also, the easiest way to get your bitcoins turned into cash is via gift cards. For U.S. customers, places like Gyft, eGifter, and GiftCardZen offer many options. Typically, you can use these gift cards at places like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
Is Bitcoin safe to use?
Just like thieves steal your wallet, hackers will be after your Bitcoins, so it’s important to make sure your store it in a safe place.
We mentioned Bitcoin wallets above, and getting one is among the more secure ways to store and use Bitcoin.
Ledger is a Bitcoin security company that offers a range of Bitcoin storage devices. The Ledger Nano S is Ledger’s most secure wallet.
TREZOR is another option. It’s the original hardware wallet that was built to secure bitcoins. It generates your Bitcoin private keys offline.
Should you invest in Bitcoin?
Now that you know the basics of Bitcoin, you may be wondering if it’s the right investment for you. There are a couple things to consider before you take the plunge.
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Mining Bitcoin is expensive
If you’re thinking of actually attempting to mine Bitcoin, you could be spending a lot. Unless you’re a serious computer genius, you’ll need to buy software that will calculate the complex 64-digit codes that lead to a single bitcoin. This software is not cheap—typically it ranges in the thousands (although, there are some sketchy free or cheap options). In addition, you’ll need to consider the actual cost of Bitcoin, which, as I said earlier, fluctuates constantly. While the price appears to be climbing, who’s to say it won’t suddenly decrease in price again.
Bitcoin is not regulated by an agency
If you want to invest some of your savings into Bitcoin, know that it’s not like investing in the stock market, and owning Bitcoin is not like having cash in the bank.
Bitcoins are not traded on Wall Street and can’t be bought or sold through a brokerage. So everything is up to you. Due to its unregulated nature, Bitcoin fluctuates constantly in price, more so than other currencies. There are certainly a lot of safer investments than Bitcoin that you should consider if you’re risk averse. It also has no tangible value like gold—therefore, Bitcoin is worth exactly what people perceive its worth to be, which can be a little scary.
Demand is high
Since there is a limited amount of Bitcoin, and after 2040, no more will be created, getting in on the ground floor can be a great idea (not to mention, it’ll help diversify your portfolio).
It has also been rumored that Bitcoin will someday (and maybe even someday soon) be bought by governments to be held as reserves just like gold. While this could have a lot of negative ramifications, it also means the limited Bitcoins would suddenly be in very high demand.
Buying and holding Bitcoin
Buying Bitcoin and holding onto it in hopes it will appreciate in value, is the most common form of “investing”. As with all investing, you should never invest more than you are willing/able to lose. This is especially true with Bitcoin, since it’s still a very risky investment.
The most important thing to keep in mind when buying Bitcoin is to make sure to buy only from exchanges that have proven their reputation.
Another key tip is to make sure you don’t buy all of your Bitcoins in one trade. Instead use a dollar cost averaging method—buy a fixed amount every month, week or even day throughout the year. This ensures that you buy the most Bitcoin when it’s on the rise, and less when it’s going down in price.
Bitcoin alternatives
Although the most well-known, Bitcoin isn’t the only cryptocurrency. Let’s take a look at some of the other major players.
Ethereum
Unlike Bitcoin, Ether can only operate through its own network—Ethereum. There is a limited amount of Ether, that was generated during their 2014 “presale.” 60 million were created during this time.
Ether is not necessarily intended for day-to-day use like Bitcoin. It can be used by application developers as a currency on the Ethereum network. It’s used for things like ride-sharing, betting and investments.
Price at the time of publishing: $473.90
Litecoin
Litecoin, as its name suggests, is a simple form of Bitcoin. Anyone can mine Litecoin using their home computers. According to their site, Litecoin is “a peer-to-peer currency that enables instant, near-zero cost payments to anyone in the world.”
Like Bitcoin, you can get Wallets for your Litecoin to keep it secure from hackers.
Price at the time of publishing: $97.22
Summary
Bitcoin has become increasingly popular due to its relative anonymity—which allows for legally-questionable purchases. But it can be used for every day, legal purchases as well. Via gift cards and “wallet” exchanges, you can buy items for Walmart or Amazon, and even buy discount plane tickets. The cyrptocurrency is also quickly becoming a mainstream investment option—one that the average investor has to take note of.
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