Student Lounge How does Bitcoin work?

How does Bitcoin work?

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    • Avatar of ReenaReena
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        I have seen news recently of this digital currency. And I don’t really get how it works, why does anyone trust it, how is this superior to current systems and what does it mean for the future for currency?

        Any thoughts, or if any of you hold/trade Bitcoins even?

      • Avatar of ReenaReena
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          Oh, I must also add that I’ve read these articles as references:

          • http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/04/economist-explains-how-does-bitcoin-work
          • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin
        • Avatar of Zee TanZee Tan
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            I came across Bitcoin several years back. I thought it had potential but the idea was way too radical for my brain to comprehend (whether it would work out as a system or not).

            I’m still undecided on it but I haven’t really read up on it recently.

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            I can’t really get my head around the concept of bitcom but I can see it being exploited for dark purposes. This is right up Artemis Fowl’s ally.

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            I don’t know. It just looks so prone to fraud?! I suppose Winklevoss bros are one of the few “famous people” publicity they get. Unless we don’t know what’s going on.

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            Hope this helps:
            https://www.khanacademy.org/science/core-finance/money-and-banking/bitcoin/v/bitcoin-what-is-it

          • Avatar of ReenaReena
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              Thanks @microeconomist, it does! It’s interesting to see how this develops ….

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              I can’t really get my head around the concept of bitcom but I can see it being exploited for dark purposes. This is right up Artemis Fowl’s ally.

              +1

            • Avatar of hairyfairyhairyfairy
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                I think Bitcoin is conceptually the same as any currency, so technically it should work. @imdnextbuffet’s article highlights a major flaw – there is no government to back or regulate, so it literally is a reflection of aggregated barter trade – prone to very high volatility depending on market demands.

                One can argue that this is a fast reaction and reflection of pure market demands but realistically this is not feasible for everyday life. You need a steady currency to conduct transactions. At least by humans, or else all money transactions will need to be done by computer (like trading).

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                In Bitcoin we cannot trust – hot money got cold too soon.

                cbsnews.com/8301-505144_162-57580115/in-bitcoin-we-cannot-trust/

              • Avatar of Zee TanZee Tan
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                  Hope this helps:
                  https://www.khanacademy.org/science/core-finance/money-and-banking/bitcoin/v/bitcoin-what-is-it

                  Love Khan Academy!

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                  Hope this helps:
                  https://www.khanacademy.org/science/core-finance/money-and-banking/bitcoin/v/bitcoin-what-is-it

                  Love Khan Academy!

                  @Zee Me too! He has explained the financial and housing crisis brilliantly. I also pick random topics to study whenever I can.

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                  @AjFinance I was right!
                  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22120833
                  Though I’m not sure why anyone would care that the Winklevoss twins own 1% of all bitcoins.

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