Blockchain. Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency. These are more than just buzzwords that have been floating around for the past few years. Cryptocurrency has been soaring in value, and a live tracker of its value shows considerable gains in the past few months. So what exactly is blockchain? How does it relate to Bitcoin or cryptocurrency? Should you, …
Via Enzo Calamo
Off the Internet and Into the Mainstream - Cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, has moved off the Internet and is being popularized. J.P. Morgan Chase is reportedly considering whether to offer Bitcoin as an investment and to allow its clients to trade in Bitcoin futures, as the Community Futures Trading Commission announced that Bitcoin futures are being launched. This speaks to the legitimacy of the cryptocurrency, as well as its popularity, as some of the largest financial markets and institutions in the world are actively pursuing ways to incorporate cryptocurrency into their models and trading. The future of cryptocurrency is open in many ways. There are expected to be 21 million Bitcoins once all blocks have been fully mined, though that number could be different, depending on mining rates. Nearly three out of every four Bitcoins that will ever exist have been mined, making it an increasingly rare, but not unattainable commodity. As the price for Bitcoins skyrockets, more and more companies are accepting it as they would any other form of currency. Businesses that accept Bitcoin are adapting to the new technology and marketing themselves as Bitcoin-friendly companies. There are a number of different ways you can begin to take Bitcoin as legal tender, and small businesses are not left out of the loop.