Bitcoin and Crypto...

Thanks for the enlightening discussion. I've noticed that some providers accept Bitcoin, but doesn't seem like a safe idea to me, especially after reading this and doing a wee bit of online research. So, the value of a "coin" can vary from day to day like stock? Cryptocurrency mining? My, how the times, and tomf*ckery, have changed. Too much opportunity for unpleasant shenanigans, like personal financial ruin.

... Digits on a computer screen are not currency imo. Originally Posted by Slitlikr

^^^ I have to agree. Cash is still king while pussy rules.

Anonsull...guess I'm slow and going to need an education. Last I checked, lenders didn't accept bitcoin and I haven't seen the neon "Bitcoin Accepted Here" at any of the gas stations, restaurants, hotels, auto dealers or repair shops, etc that I frequent.

What am I missing?

Ive notice that there is a significant generational gap associated with crypto currencies. Gen Xers and yoinger seem to be more open to the idea of it as they are used to dealing with "electronic money" to handle even the most basic of transactions.
Many crypto currencies are in full speculator swing, buying/trading/selling at the moment basically amounts to a gamble. It seems to be gaining acceptance by countries such as Japan, Germany, France and Russia.....legitimacy or the appearance of it has fueled the current craze.
If one considers what a currency is, bitcoin is no different. Basicslly, the most sucessful currencies amount to the most "popular". They all can have confidence lost in them and rendered useless at any moment in time.

I like the annonymity associated with it, but would not buy more than a fee hundred bucks worth to spend fairly quickly.

Some providers are accepting it as payment, they are basically using a portion of their income to speculate given the current market, but as any gamble, it can bite you in the ass.

What works for me is cols hard American dollars and not much else.

Can you pay your your US income tax directly to the IRS with bitcoin?