Rank: Member Joined: 12/30/2012 Posts: 545 Location: NBI
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Argument against 'What is bitcoin backed by' Bitcoin is not just a currency and should not be evaluated only using such crude questions as "what backs it", but for you I will. Bitcoin is an entirely new asset class it has qualities typical of scarce commodities. Yes it's designed to be a currency -but a sound currency based on scarcity.
Gold was once used as currency because of it's scarcity and many things are valuable simply because they are rare, like some vintage baseball cards and certain precious stones. But scarcity alone is not the only reason Gold or bitcoins have value.
Gold is valued as a commodity. Commodities are not backed by anything except their intrinsic usefulness. As well as being scarce, gold has intrinsic use as a conductor, wheat is useful as food, oil is used for fuel, etc... So, if Bitcoin, the commodity has a usefulness then it too has intrinsic value. That intrinsic value is described in this quote:
As a thought experiment, imagine there was a base metal as scarce as gold but with the following properties: – boring grey in colour – not a good conductor of electricity – not particularly strong, but not ductile or easily malleable either – not useful for any practical or ornamental purpose
and one special, magical property: – can be transported over a communications channel
If it somehow acquired any value at all for whatever reason, then anyone wanting to transfer wealth over a long distance could buy some, transmit it, and have the recipient sell it.
Maybe it could get an initial value circularly as you’ve suggested, by people foreseeing its potential usefulness for exchange. (I would definitely want some) Maybe collectors, any random reason could spark it.
-Satoshi Nakamoto Aug. 27, 2010
Consider the essential qualities of currency; scarce, divisible, durable, portable and difficult to counterfeit, and you'll see Bitcoin is not just currency.. it's money, backed by usefulness.BITCOIN TRADERS KENYA Whatsapp group +254 705 299 429
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