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Rumors of Bitcoin’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated
9.3.2020
According to the Bitcoin Obituary Page, Bitcoin died 379 times between 2010-2019 of an astonishing array of causes. The number is undoubtedly understated since it is based on a limited sample of obituaries. Despite the glee with which the corpses of Bitcoin are contemplated, however, cryptocurrency...
Is Twitter Helping Justin Sun and Other Cryptocurrency Celebrities Defraud?
8.3.2020
A site as hugely influential as Twitter should ideally take a balanced and responsible approach when suggesting blue check accounts and other popular influencers to follow in the crypto space. Fact is, this couldn’t be further from the reality: Twitter seems to constantly promote the same...
A Sea Change to Crypto Hits America, Again
1.3.2020
A sea change is coming to cryptocurrency in America. It is likely to hit in two separate waves: a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and draconian regulation that shuts down free-market activities, including development. Also Read: No Backdoor on Human Rights: Why Encryption Cannot Be Compromised...
Next Step Mobile Surveillance: How You Walk, Your Heartbeat – Why Bitcoin Matters to Combat Government Privacy Invasion
26.2.2020
It may sound like something from a dystopian cyberpunk movie, but payment providers could soon be validating transactions by the way users walk, their heartbeat, veins, and more. Mastercard has recently revealed they “have been testing heartbeat, vein technology, and the way people walk...
No Backdoor on Human Rights: Why Encryption Cannot Be Compromised
23.2.2020
In April 2019, the UK issued an Online Harms White Paper to announce its campaign to rein in “harmful speech” on social media sites such as Facebook and TikTok. The public consultation period has ended and a full consultation response is expected in Spring 2020. (Initial Consultation...
Cryptocurrency Is Agorism in Action
17.2.2020
The book “New Libertarian Manifesto” (NLM) by libertarian-anarchist Samuel E. Konkin III (SEK3) launched a movement that has grown amazingly over the last few decades: Agorism. This is the movement of peaceful revolution through counter-economics. Counter-economics is “the study...
Bitcoin and Doomsday Preppers — Would Crypto Have Any Survival Value If SHTF?
14.2.2020
As so-called “doomsday prepping” grows in popularity thanks to news of coronavirus lockdown in Chinese cities, red flag gun laws and rampant Fed stimulus in the U.S., preparedness enthusiasts are asking about the viability of bitcoin in a SHTF situation. From cautious, light investor...
Wendy McElroy: Crypto is Banking for Anarchists and Average People
10.2.2020
“What I love about Bitcoin is that instead of some rich old guy on Wall Street, young poor people are the ones getting rich” —Eric Finman No Longer Is Economic Sovereignty Just for Politicians and Bankers “Cryptocurrency is for the rich”; this pernicious myth causes...
There’s No Such Thing as Tainted Bitcoins
6.2.2020
All bitcoins are created equal. But in the eyes of blockchain forensics firms, some bitcoins are more equal than others. If these companies are to be believed, coins that have been used in criminal transactions are ‘tainted,’ destined to be forever linked with nefarious activity....
Overwriting Satoshi: Kraken Exec Says Bitcoin Wasn’t Built for Payments, Isn’t Peer-to-Peer
6.2.2020
As Director of Business Development for popular crypto exchange Kraken, when Dan Held speaks, people listen. As such, his recent 46-tweet diatribe on why the “payments narrative” for bitcoin is flawed grabbed the attention of many, tickling the ears of hardcore Lighting Network fans...
Wendy McElroy: The Narrative and Philosophy of Cryptocurrency
5.2.2020
“The central banks of Britain, Japan, the euro zone, Sweden and Switzerland have grouped up to assess potential use cases for digital currencies. Talk of such currencies gained momentum after Facebook announced plans last year to introduce a cryptocurrency called libra,” – CNBC....
What Is the Ideal Block Size and Fee Cost?
24.1.2020
Many of the debates around block size in Bitcoin operate under the false premise that the question can even be properly answered by a central authority. But markets are better at deciding these questions and block sizes and fee costs should be worked out by miners and users, not development...
Why User Experience Is Crypto’s True ‘Killer App’
21.1.2020
There’s been a lot of buzz in the space recently about the importance of user experience. Kim Dotcom’s proclamation that “Mass utility is going to lead to mass adoption,” speaks to this. Peter Schiff’s bitcoin wallet fiasco, CZ’s claim that centralized exchanges...
Unnecessary Evil: How Government Regulations Kill Crypto Startups and Encourage Crime
16.1.2020
Thanks to the EU’s most recent money laundering directive, a small business called Post-a-coin, which sold cute postcards pre-loaded with tiny amounts of bitcoin, is being forced to shut down. Meanwhile, the most heinous criminals in history are continuing to facilitate violence, trafficking...
Why the Counter Economy Is Necessary to Bitcoin’s Survival as a Disruptive Currency
9.1.2020
As Bitcoin is adopted by more and more traditional financial institutions, and becomes regulated by governments worldwide, the question of its survival as a truly disruptive alternative to legacy financial systems is raised. After all, if governments like Qatar’s can ban it, and international...
Stablecoins Are Crypto’s Version of Fractional Reserve Banking
6.1.2020
Stablecoins provide much sought after stability in the volatile crypto markets. They are sometimes even said to affect the price of bitcoin in drastic fashion. Tether (USDT) in particular continues to be widely scrutinized for this, with recent lawsuits about conflicts of interest and price...
Was Youtube’s Christmas Crypto Purge Illegal?
2.1.2020
This article considers the legal implications of Youtube’s notorious purge of crypto channels on Christmas Eve. What legal context induces Youtube and other social media giants to operate as they do? The article does not explore whether it is morally proper to terminate a contract without...
Why Nick Szabo Probably Isn’t Satoshi
2.1.2020
Search online for ‘possible creators of Bitcoin’ and Bit Gold creator Nick Szabo will always appear near the top of the list. His long history in the cypherpunk space, his writings on money, digital cash, and smart contracts, and some facts about his past have often been used to create...
France’s Social Media Stalking Points to the Violence of Fiat, Consent of Crypto
29.12.2019
France will soon be monitoring social media accounts to catch suspected tax evaders. The endeavor could label anyone as suspicious who so much as posts a “taxation is theft” meme or a poses with a nice car. The country’s budget minister, Gérald Darmanin, called...
Crypto’s Counterpunch to U.S. Hegemony and Empire
27.12.2019
“The Muslim world should be designing measures to save themselves from the domination of the United States dollar and the American financial regime.” —Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran Also Read: Crypto Confronts Social Justice Warriors Hegemony and Muslim Resistance Hegemony...