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Worried about Bitcoin? George Soros is getting into it….

George Soros, a noted currency trader who called Bitcoin a “bubble” in January – is going to be trading cryptocurrencies!  This is according to an article in Bloomberg, which has been getting a lot of play in the internet!  Read it here:

“Soros has already been indirectly betting on crypto. The firm amassed a stake in Overstock.com in the fourth quarter, making it the third-biggest shareholder of the discount e-commerce company. In August 2017 it became the first major retailer to accept digital currencies. The company had also planned to start an exchange for cryptocurrencies as well as offer digital coins that could trade on the platform. – Bloomberg Article“

Soros is a major Player in the Forex/currency markets, and his venture into Bitcoin shows that an old dog can learn new tricks!  Mr. Soros is a shrewd investor and I suspect he sees a way to make some serious money off Cryptocurrency and businesses utilizing Cryptocurrency.  

 The Founder of Overstock, Patrick M Byrne,  has been outspoken about Bitcoin, Here is one of his talks:   

Patrick M. Byrne on “Why Cryptocurrencies matter”

At this time I don’t own any Overstock.com stock, but I am going to keep an eye on it and consider investing if it dips.

Mr. Soro’s entry into bitcoin is a welcome sign to this Bitcoin fancier, and I expect his investments will be a worthy foray into the cryptocurrency market.  With Bitcoin entering it’s second decade of growth and volatility, this is an exciting time to play in the cryptocurrency sandbox, or just watch from the sidelines!  Best of Luck to you, George Soros and Patrick M. Byrne!
 
Thank you for reading my blog, and feel free to share!  Best of luck with Bitcoin and all your investments! 
If you enjoyed this blog, please feel free to share! 
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Nervous about Bitcoin trending down?

If you are long on Bitcoin, Hodling vs. trading, then buying at the current prices (hovering around 11k USD per BTC), is smart.

bitcoins-millionaire-full-guide

I have some cash, and definitely long on Bitcoin, so I will be buying more.  Not all at once, in case it drops more. I want free cash available to buy more.

There is some fear that regulation is coming, and Google and Facebook are restricting Cryptocurrency ads, but Bitcoin is still viable and useful as a peer to peer trading mechanism.

In the US, we have a strong Fiat currency, the dollar.  (perhaps you have heard of it?).  Bitcoin shines when the Fiat, or local, currency is not strong, and fees and bank charges are large.  Think Venezuela, Argentina, South Korea.  Bitcoin activity in these countries is large, and growing.  Those governments can just print more fiat currency (which makes for rampant inflation) making Bitcoin a viable option for payments and moving money around.  (This happened in India, where their fiat currency was briefly worthless).

 

How Money Got Free: Bitcoin and the Fight for the Future of Finance
There is also a finite limit to the number of Bitcoins in circulation; 21 Million.  No government or “Bitcoin regulator” can just create more – like the governments do with paper currencies – it is fixed and will allow the price to rise once all 21 million are created through Bitcoin mining.

 

This means that 80 percent of all bitcoins that will be in existence have already been mined. According to estimates, bitcoin will reach its final coin figure sometime in 2140.Jan 15, 2018

 

Only 20 Percent Of Total Bitcoins Remain To Be Mined | Investopedia

https://www.investopedia.com/news/only-20-percent-total-bitcoins-remain-be-mined/
As I see it, there is a lot of activity in Bitcoin going  on, and volatility, mining, facebook bans, etc., will all have an effect – but not kill off Bitcoin.  You can see the current stats on how many times Bitcoin has been declared “Dead” on 99bitcoins.  (spoiler alert – 273 times as of this writing)
 
Hodl on, and (if you feel like I do) Go long on Bitcoin!
To the Moon!
 
Thank you for reading my blog, and feel free to share!  Best of luck with Bitcoin and all your investments! 
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What are the incentives for modern governments with fiats to adopt Bitcoin, aka cryptocurrency?

It’s all about:

CONTROL.


A government controls its currency and will not be able to control/dominate Bitcoin (unless it mines its own coin, as the currency of the realm).

 

Bitcoin purchases and transfers are “peer to peer” transactions. Using the Blockchain (the Bitcoin ledger system) no central clearinghouse is required to regulate any transaction; it occurs between two parties. The Blockchain is a transparent ledger that just records the transaction (in very simple terms). Individuals keep their Bitcoin in “Wallets” on smartphones or computers, or on specific websites that deal in currency transfers (like BTC to USD).

Governments regulate volume of money, interest rates, fee structures, and monitor it’s value against other fiat currencies. Financial transactions outside of government control (with no fees going to the monetary “gatekeepers”) are a nightmare for financial ministers everywhere.

In my opinion, Bitcoin is one component of the financial mechanism any government needs to work effectively. I am not convinced that cash (or precious metals) are going away anytime soon, but governments fear that losing their money-printing ability will weaken them considerably.

 

Banks and some governmental entities are scrambling to utilize blockchain technology, while publicly denouncing or denying Bitcoin as a monetary vehicle. Most notable among the nay-sayers was Jamie Dimon, of JP Morgan Chase.
Dimon himself has publicly said he sees potential in blockchain tech, and his company just announced this month the launch of a blockchain-based pilot to “significantly reduce” the number of entities needed to verify global payments, which would cut down transaction settlement times.

Countries with High inflation and unstable Fiat currency (Argentina, Venezuela, as examples) have seen Bitcoin transactions flourish as there are low or no fees, and Bitcoin valuation is more stable than the Fiat Currency.
Cryptocurrency Primer: Everything You Need to Know About Cryptocurrencies and How They Are Different from Regular (Fiat) Money (With Mining Guides for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and ZCash)
 
Bitcoin and the blockchain are new entrants in the carnival of Financial Instruments, and (despite the nay-sayers) will be around for a while.

Thanks for reading my article! – Feel free to share!

(Disclaimer – I own some fractional Bitcoin).

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How can a currency become worthless?

Most currencies are Fiat Money, not backed by a commodity (like Gold and Silver) but backed by the government that printed it.

If the government behind the Fiat currency becomes insolvent, or acquires extensive debt, their currency may be devalued (relative to other Fiat currencies), their ability to borrow money will be affected (lenders will demand higher interest rates because of the risk), and prices will climb as the currency loses value. At present, Venezuela, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and other countries are suffering due to the inflation they are experiencing. 

Some related websites:
What would you do if your money became worthless? – Prosperous Way Down website
A worthless currency – The Economist (Article on Zimbabwe)
The Greek Crisis Explained – (Infographic) – from Gainesville coins
Many people invest in Gold and Silver as a “Hedge” against devaluation. This can be done with collectable coins and jewelry, or bullion. 
Bitcoin to the Rescue
When fiat currency is failing, the citizenry need a mechanism to trade and move money out of the country without fees and taxes; Bitcoin is an obvious choice.  As a “peer to peer” unit of value,  Bitcoin has minimal fees and a global reach.  It is an ideal mechanism to prop up people when their monetary system is in a shambles, and the value of the local fiat currency drops.
 
In Venezuela, Zimbabwe, China, and other countries, Bitcoin is the method of choice for doing business without government oversight, transfer fees, and excessive taxation.  Even in countries with stable currency, Bitcoin is a welcome addition to the mix of fiat currency, gold, and silver, for acquiring wealth and conducting business transactions.
Here’s hoping your value is strong!
 
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Is it time to join the Gold Rush of the Initial Coin Offerings?

By Alan Chenkin – Was mining Bitcoin back in the Gold rush days of 2011

When you get close to fully mining the entire 21 million bitcoins that can be mined, what do you do with all that mining equipment,  optimized by being in areas where cooling and low cost power is available?  
The answer is simple – Initial Coin Offerings!  Each coin requires:

·         Its own blockchain
·         People and groups mining, and using existing equipment and computers, etc., to mine the ICO
·         Getting listed on exchanges, so people can buy the new coin with Bitcoin, crypto, and fiat currency
·         Technology based on Satoshi’s work (essentially a Bitcoin clone, with some bells and whistles)
·         Claims of additional utility and security, with white papers and some “reason for existing”
·         Coins to be “Pre-Mined” (sold at a discount, to finance operations), sometimes as much as 50-60% BEFORE the coin is released
·         And a ton of Hype (Have I told you about my new Chenkin Coin – it’s using the Blockchain to cure hunger, banish diseases and create world peace – GET IN ON IT NOW! – NOT.)
·         FOMO.  Fear of Missing out – for all the people who did not buy Bitcoin very low, “and want to get in on the ground floor” in the new coins ICO

This is not a small or capricious undertaking.  According to Morning Brew, a daily news feed,

  • ICOs have raised $1.7 billion so far this year, on track to pass last year’s $6.5 billion.
  • An MIT report estimates that up to $317 million from ICOs has gone to scams.
  • Hedge funds and private investors receive special treatment to buy tokens at discounted rates. Some immediately flip them for large profits.

This is big business. At this writing, activity in Crypto-mining is way up.  Hedge Funds are in it big time (and those guys are all about making big money).

Here is the point that caught my eye, $317 Million (approx 20%) HAS GONE TO SCAMS.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency in general, but bad actors are making a killing here – and pumping out legitimate seeming coins for only one purpose – pump and dump.

For me,  a  20% chance that I will lose my money is a big risk.  The landscape is littered with coins that tried, and couldn’t match the success of bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, etc.  So I watch the ICO show – filling my inbox and littering the chat boards with claims of being the next best thing, and keep my damn hands off the buy button!

Big money is in this, and I am tempted, but I am not an insider in these coins, so I treat it like stock tips.  If someone is telling ME about a hot investment, it’s usually not a good tip.

ICO Tutorial: 3 to 1 guide of how to create your own ICO – Initial Coin Offering, evaluate companies who offer ICO, trade and store them + Bonus Book

ICO Tutorial: 3 to 1 guide of how to create your own ICO – Initial Coin Offering, evaluate companies who offer ICO, trade and store them 

Invest with your head, don’t bet more than you can afford to lose in new ICO’s, and have fun.  A few hundred dollars invested in my Chenkin Coin can give you months of excitement before I cash out and it’s value drops to zero.  You can buy it on the worldwide Crypto exchange (designed for suckers, er, “Savvy Investors”),

I hope you, like me, will enjoy the show, and invest in ICO’s with spare change and a well-earned skepticism,  as the hedge funds and Winklevii work the room.  And it’s a big room!

Thanks for reading, and may your crypto investment give you enjoyment as it goes – wait for it –  TO THE MOON!

 
More Reading:
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Bitcoin Crime – Don’t get scammed, and buy Bitcoin safely.

Bitcoin is fluctuating between $9300 and $11,000 USD per BTC today.   (give or take a few dollars).  For a real-time Bitcoin Price chart, take a look at Bitcoin Ticker.  Personally, I keep Coinbase or the GDAX open on my PC screen.


Steve Wozniak, Apple computer co-founder, got swindled out of 7 BTC by a con artist who used a credit card to buy the Bitcoin, then cancelled the credit card transaction after the Bitcoin transfer was made.  see the article on Forex Live.  This shows you that the bad guys are out there, and willing to screw anyone out of their Bitcoin.  Lesson learned?  Be extra careful when buying or selling Bitcoin.

While not as dramatic as the price running up to almost $20,000 per BTC, Wozniak’s loss of  his $5,000 invested in the Bitcoin (and the anticipated profit) is as real to him as any of us losing some cash.   It is also prompting some credit card companies to halt Bitcoin purchases using credit cards.


In the early days, you could meet someone at Starbucks and exchange cash for Bitcoin.  You would need to have a Bitcoin Wallet or the Coinbase App on your laptop or smartphone. Nowadays, with valuations so high, I would not feel comfortable carrying around large sums of cash on the street.  

If you are a newbie, I would recommend using a popular exchange (I use and refer Coinbase).  Exchanges may charge a fee, but operate in relative safety.  If you are nervous or wisely careful, read up on Buying and Selling Bitcoin.  There are some links in my blog, and you will need to educate yourself.  If you prefer to hold your Bitcoins yourself, there are lots of Bitcoin wallets, including Hardware Wallets, that hold your Bitcoin “off-line” in a disconnected piece of hardware.  You can buy Bitcoin wallets on Amazon with relative ease and safety.  The Bitcoin you buy separately.

Trezor (Black) Bitcoin Hardware Wallet Bundle With VUVIV Micro-USB Adapter, VUVIV USB-C Adapter for MacBook and Sakura Pigma Archival Ink Pen (4 items)Ledger Nano S Bitcoin Wallet Ethereum Crypto Altcoin Litecoin Ripple With MicroUSB Cable Lanyard & Zeox Stylus PenKeepKey: the Simple Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet

Bitcoin Wallets on Amazon and EBay
 
Keep records of your transactions, don’t lose your hardware wallets or your passwords!  Keep them safe.  Make sure you are cautious and careful, especially when calculating fractional Bitcoin – it’s a concept that takes getting used to.  Here is an article on it from BTC Geek.

 

Bitcoin Trivia:

A Satoshi is the smallest fraction of a Bitcoin that can currently be sent: 0.00000001 BTC, that is, a hundredth of a millionth BTC. In the future, however, the protocol may be updated to allow further subdivisions, should they be needed. A Satoshi is 0.00000001 BTC and currently the smallest transaction unit.

In closing, take care to use a known exchange; avoid anonymous transfers through credit card transactions or Venmo (they are easily manipulated/cancelled), and learn as much about your  seller/buyer as possible, if there is a problem.
 
Enjoy the Bitcoin roller-coaster ride, and let’s go TO THE MOON!
 
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Bitcoin and the Dead Cat Bounce

The “Dead Cat Bounce”

“A dead cat bounce is a temporary recovery from a prolonged decline or a bear market that is followed by the continuation of the downtrend. The name “dead cat bounce” is based on the notion that even a dead cat will bounce if it falls far enough and fast enough..” – Investopedia

The powers that rule the financial markets, The FED, the SEC, the World Bank, etc., all have one thing in common – they view Bitcoin as “the enemy” (The enemy of the Banks).  While volatility rages in the Bitcoin price, any downturn – or upturn is regarded as proof that Bitcoin is a sham or fraud, like the “Dead Cat Bounce”.

Unfortunately for the large financial institutions, Bitcoin is far from dead.  In fact, it is making a recovery from recent lows.  Is the cat bouncing?  You Bet it is.  That sucker is going up and down like a yoyo.  Count on it.

History teaches us that it takes 20 years to convert a financial fad into a trend, and a trend into an institution.  Bitcoin started in 2009, and is a nine-year overnight success. The banks deride Bitcoin, but almost all of them are using the Blockchain technology (the underlying bitcoin technology) for developing low cost and stable transactions.  With apologies to the Bard, “Methinks the banks protest too much”.

While the cat is bouncing, you can 
1) Enjoy the show
2) Keep calm and HODL on
3) Buy on what looks like it may be a “low”, and sell some on what looks like a “high”  (Note: it is generally agreed that no one can “time” the market, but with this much volatility, moving 20% in the course of a week, it could be a worthwhile risk – but don’t “bet the Farm” – know how much you can afford to lose, and keep Maalox handy).

Enjoy the show, Hold your coin and enjoy the highs, while avoiding despair when the price plunges and the Fat Cats project the “End of Bitcoin”.

Bitcoin Obituaries – Bitcoin has died 253 times
Best of luck to you, and may your Bitcoin portfolio go TO THE MOON!

 

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Bitcoin Stable (for the moment)…Stock market due for a “correction” – are you thinking what I am thinking?

The recent Stock market correction was a wake up call.  Many of my buddies saw some of their holdings go down in value, as their heart rates went up.  As a good friend, I asked how they protect themselves from a dip in value (we remember the 2009 stock and real estate markets very well).

When asked how I do it, my plan was both simple and works for me.  Everybody has a different situation.  Motley Fool has an article on “stocks to buy during a market crash“.  I imagine some people put cash  under their mattress.  Here is what I do;:
First, DON’T PANIC.  Panic makes you buy high and sell low.  Ask your friends who invest, take a shot of whiskey, don’t be “quick on the trigger”. THE MARKETS ARE CYCLICAL.  Ups and downs are expected, and can be profitable.  Wait a day or two and see what happens when the smoke clears.
Second, review your diversity strategy – consider a small investment in a Gold fund or physical gold.  (Disclaimer, I own a Gamco Gold fund and some gold collectable coins).  Gold, and silver, in my observation, holds or increases it’s value when the markets have an “unsteady” moment.  I also own some Bond funds and Bonds, but they don’t throw off a large dividend.  Bonds are usually very stable through their term, so I am comfortable owning some.  Bonds are not a large part of my holdings.  I also have some Bitcoin (I have other articles on this blog that show you hoe to get some).  Bitcoin is unstable, but putting a “few bucks” into a fractional amount of Bitcoin is both a hedge on it’s future or a gamble.  Don’t bet the farm on Bitcoin, and if you do buy some, hold it – the volatility is real, as is “panic selling”.
Third, take a deep breath!  Do you own a home (most peoples greatest asset)?  Do you have artwork, a coin or stamp collection, a car?  All these assets (if not mortgaged to the hilt) are part of your net worth.  If all you own are stocks and the market crashes, you can see a market drop eroding a large percentage of your assets in days.
So now you know what I am thinking.  It’s not “All Bitcoin, all the time!” It’s about being smart with your own pile of assets and investments and money that you need to make “bigger”.  Pulling some profit out of the market, and buying Bitcoin is part of a strategy to get into cryptocurrency, and it is a wild ride, as it goes up and down with regularity!  So don’t “bet the farm”, spread your money around (stock market, bitcoin, collectible things, gold, etc.) and hopefully, over time, you will watch it grow into a nice nest egg.  Remember, it does take time – investing is not like a winning instant lottery ticket – it’s like a winding road, with ups and downs.
Your financial journey should be more than money.  Money can buy things that make you happy.  I own an antique slot machine.  It was not cheap, but my “one-armed bandit” is fun and anyone that visits can’t resist putting some change in it.  It is also worth more than what I paid for it, and my heirs will either sell it or keep it, based on what they like.  Or I can sell it or “trade up” based on my feelings about this machine.  It’s picture is below.  I enjoy showing it off, and feel like I own a casino!  (I am also thinking of some way it can pay out in Bitcoin; still working on that).
Now you have seen my real strategy – Take some stock market profit off the table, and diversify with Bitcoin and collectibles. Also run this by your financial advisor – don’t just take my word for it; like I said, this works for me – you need to find what will work for you!
Thank you for reading my blog, and feel free to share!  Best of luck with Bitcoin and all your investments!
Disclaimer: This answer is offered as opinion and is not a recommendation on investing. Please consult knowledgeable advisors and professionals you trust when seeking investment advice. I currently own BTCS, and just exited a position in RIOT. I also own some Bitcoin and Litecoin, and the other assets mentioned.
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Do you think Bitcoin belongs in a portfolio for diversification?

Cryptocurrency is like penny stocks in the 1990’s. There is risk, meaning you can lose your investment, and there is potential for reward, meaning you can make big money.  Think of bitcoin in December of 2017, when it reached a high of almost $20,000 per BTC!

Cryptocurrencies do not have a long history, and have a lot of  volatility (at the present time). I would consider the investment across a few cryptocurrencies or several Blockchain companies (as example: BTCS, BLOK, RIOT, BCCN – These are publicly traded) as a watchable trade or small investment, not a diversification move.

If you do consider Cryptocurrency as a diversification move, please don’t commit more than a small percentage of your assets to this emerging asset class – and certainly not more than you are willing to lose.

Cryptocurrency is starting to emerge as an “Asset Class”, but it is not there yet.  The old adage is “Bulls make money, Bears make money, Pigs get slaughtered” – and my addition, “Missionaries get eaten”.  Don’t be the first missionary in this asset class; take a slow and measured approach.

Don’t just take my opinion:

How to Start a Crypto Portfolio – Robert Leshner – Medium – Medium

Should your portfolio include bitcoin? Yes, but just a 2% position, says analyst – Marketwatch

Bitcoin: Mastering Bitcoin For Beginners: How You Can Make Insane Money Investing and Trading in Bitcoin (Bitcoin Mining, Bitcoin trading, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Wallet & Business)

Best of luck to you, and may your portfolio go TO THE MOON!

 

Bitcoin Watch – Men’s Wrist Watch – Classic Black Leather | Bitcoin Gift | Bitcoin and Ethereum Coin – Crypto to the Moon

If you enjoyed this blog, please feel free to share and send some bitcoin in appreciation to my Bitcoin Address:

15EzAW7wfyqHD8pj6hS1dUCaLeLxW8uMbn
If you need a Bitcoin wallet, try Coinbase.

Disclaimer: This answer is offered as opinion and is not a recommendation on investing. Please consult knowledgeable advisors and professionals you trust when seeking investment advice. I currently own BTCS, I also own some Bitcoin and Litecoin.

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It’s the Dip, Time to buy more Bitcoin? Or is Bitcoin Dead?

Bitcoin Prices dropped again this week.  There are lots of reasons for this, as I will outline, and some things you can do.
 
 

The war on Bitcoin is moving forward.  

Bitcoin continues to be volatile, and is traded 24/7 on international markets.

The pundits and writers are looking deeply into the situation, pointing to what makes bitcoin a volatile commodity.  https://lifehacker.com/why-bitcoin-s-price-is-so-volatile-1822143846

Some are decrying the death of Bitcoin!

Bitcoin is Dead (Again!) – Buy Bitcoin Worldwide
“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated” – Apologies to Mark Twain

But Bitcoin is NOT dead.  It is still used for purchases, transferring money between people (and across borders), and enabling commerce where the fiat currency is hyperinflated or devalued.  The Electronic ledger called the blockchain is being researched as a model for financial institutions to reconcile their monetary transfers, saving millions in fees. Look into What Is Bitcoin and What Can I Do With It? – by Lifehacker.

Books are appearing en masse to guide us on out Bitcoin journey, like Bitcoin: Mastering Bitcoin For Beginners: How You Can Make Insane Money Investing and Trading in Bitcoin (Bitcoin Mining, Bitcoin trading, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Wallet & Business)

So, what are we to do? 

Sit Tight – Sell it all (or part) – Buy more?

Sit Tight

Do nothing.  Take the long view, squash your emotion and fear, Stand back and watch, as the price fluctuates. This is what The Hodler’s do, keeping out of the day-trading madness, and keeping their Bitcoin long term.  Thee is an argument that points to Bitcoin prices going very high, possibly even $100k or more per BTC.  Keep in mind, there is a limited supply (21 million) Bitcoins that can be mined, and that is it.  This is the Long-Term view.  Bitcoin has been around nine years, and it most likely has many more to go, lets “Let it Ride”.  (Note: I may buy and sell, but I am keeping some Bitcoin, as I have a long view of Bitcoin).

SELL!

Sell it all, and be happy you got out before it “Really Tanked” (Unless it goes up, in which case you cry in your beer).  If this makes sense to you, consider selling your Bitcoin in parts, at levels you set.  This preserves your profit, and puts you in a cash position to buy more Bitcoin at what you think the bottom might be.

Buy More?

When the price drops, Bitcoin is cheap compared to buying at the top price. The risk is that you may be buying it all the way down to the “bottom” (which is an unknown price level that defies prediction, even with those claiming clairvoyant power).  FYI – Good luck predicting the next “Top” too.  Lots of people did not sell when Bitcoin hit $19,000 per BTC.

There you have it, based on my perception, these are the options we are presented with when Bitcoin prices take a nosedive.

Let’s be clear about something: there is no such thing as a meaningful Bitcoin price prediction. It just isn’t possible with the current structure. – Jeremy Arnold, Internal consultant. Past analyst/co-founder, on Quora (article presented on Forbes Website)

Best of luck to you, and may your portfolio go TO THE MOON!
Disclaimer: This answer is offered as opinion and is not a recommendation on investing. Please consult knowledgeable advisors and professionals you trust when seeking investment advice. I currently own BTCS stock.
 Don't Tread On My Bitcoin BTC Meme Gadsden Embroidered Hook and Loop Patch