You’ve probably heard of Bitcoin if you’ve been on the internet in the past decade. It’s one of the many types of digital currency people use as a medium of exchange online.
What’s a cryptocurrency, and how is it impacting the world today?
Let’s explore some of the essential factors that could determine how the global financial scene might evolve with these new monetary units.
Virtual Currency
Instead of being in paper or coin form, the value of money is stored in digital format. People conduct transactions on the internet and not in physical exchanges.
Bitcoin, Ripple, and XRP are a few known examples of electronic currencies.Â
Not Supported by Governments
Central banks issue fiat money, while private parties circulate cryptocurrencies. The US Dollar is an example of the former. It’s backed by the issuing authority and not based on the value of a physical commodity such as gold or silver.
Part of the Economy
Governments may not be able to exercise power over the use of digital currencies, but they’re now a component of our financial system through taxes. Depending on the amount of cyber money you have and the length of time you hold it, you’ll have to pay a levy on this one.
Gaining Popularity
Transferring funds from one party to another is very convenient and doesn’t require any middleman. It’s also inexpensive because the processing rates are much lower than those charged by financial institutions.
These benefits are making many people switch from traditional banking methods to using cryptocurrencies. As awareness grows, the demand will increase as well.
Banks are aware of the trend and are collaborating with issuers or launching their digital currencies to stay relevant.
Converting Disbelievers
For many years, critics have mocked the prospects of using cryptocurrencies or brushed off the idea altogether. That situation is now in the past, with the conversion of many opponents.
A well-known example is that of JPMorgan Chase’s chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon. In September 2017, he called Bitcoin a fraud, then in 2019, launched the bank’s digital coin.
Unregulated
Although the electronic currencies are gaining popularity, authorities’ lack of monitoring is slowing down its acceptance globally. People are wary of the risks of money laundering activities and illegal contracts.Â
Consumers don’t have any protection when caught in scams and lose their money, unlike their bank deposits, which governments guarantee.
Highly Volatile
The movement of cryptocurrencies’ values is very erratic. It’s difficult to predict their fluctuations, thus making them a precarious form of investment. Their price can peak at one point in the year, then drop to a fraction of that figure within a few months.Â
What Does the Future Hold?
Despite the advantages cryptocurrencies offer, the drawbacks discussed are hindering their acceptance by the global community.
Only time will tell if we can effectively address those concerns to give people the confidence to switch from physical to digital money.
Susan Paige is a prolific female writer known for her insightful analyses on business news, particularly focusing on the stock market, cryptocurrency, and related topics. With a keen eye for trends and a knack for distilling complex concepts into accessible pieces, she captivates readers with her expertise and clarity.