Re:Ask HN: Are cryptocurrencies good or bad for America?
by smt88 on Saturday June 09, 2018 @10:36AM
(#17273231)
If you're talking about the US today, it's hard to say for sure. We don't know what people are using them for with much accuracy or precision.
A major use seems to be to commit fraud or as a risky speculation vehicle. We also know they've replaced cash in a tiny portion of the black-market economy.
Like everyone else, I have almost no data, but my guess is that it's net "bad" right now.
As for the future, anyone who says they know for sure is very naive. We just don't know what could happen. Perhaps crypto will save us all from a corrupt government.
Re:Ask HN: Are cryptocurrencies good or bad for America?
by dick_sucker2 on Saturday June 09, 2018 @07:29PM
(#17275577)
There are quite a few local businesses near me that prefer to take cash. They say it's because of the credit card fees. Maybe it's because they don't want records that the IRS can subpoena at some point?
A major use seems to be to commit fraud or as a risky speculation vehicle. We also know they've replaced cash in a tiny portion of the black-market economy.
Like everyone else, I have almost no data, but my guess is that it's net "bad" right now.
As for the future, anyone who says they know for sure is very naive. We just don't know what could happen. Perhaps crypto will save us all from a corrupt government.
A distributed ledger is hardly anonymous.
What about cash? Is cash good for America?
> and fraud
What kind of fraud?
Firstly, regions/geography with cheap power and/or natural cooling are at a clear advantage with respect to payment for proof of work.
Secondly, regions where black markets thrive are at a clear advantage with respect to use and potential liquidity.
(imho)