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More Attempts to Bring E-Commerce to World’s Two Billion Unbanked

Taking e-commerce to the unbanked seems to be getting easier as the number of merchants embracing cryptocurrencies is increasing. From Overstock to Steam, Newegg to Edeka, many merchants are changing buyers’ user experience globally by leveraging the ease-of-use of digital currency.

This is partially fueled by an increase in the number of vendors registering with BitPay. That service allows merchants to accept Bitcoin but immediately be credited with cash rather than having to deal with the volatile digital currency themselves.

Things are improving on the consumer side too, with the increasing number of crypto-based debit cards. These make it possible to spend digital currency in the virtual shops of merchants who don’t directly accept it, by automatically converting a user’s cryptocurrency balance to fiat and using that to pay vendors.

In this environment, there are startups seeking to make things even easier and cheaper, eliminating as many middlemen as possible from digital currency transactions. So far, the introduction of crypto-backed debit cards has been pioneered by companies such as TenX and Monaco and it has changed several new users’ perspective about how easy to access digital currencies for everyday use.

More Attempts to Bring E-Commerce to World’s Two Billion Unbanked

Both Monaco and TenX make crypto spending easier for customers by offering a multi-currency debit card. Instead of a Bitcoin debit card, a Dash debit card, and so forth, both Monaco and TenX allow users to deposit various cryptocurrencies and access them with one single debit card. When it comes time to make a purchase, the <Read More>

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Why Millennials Keep Bitcoin for Rainy Days

Bitcoin has a huge appeal to millennials who dream of a cashless future, and now they’re putting savings into Bitcoin rather than traditional funds.

The digital currency has already turned early adopters into millionaires, been marketed by Ashton Kutcher and Paris Hilton, and stands for everything that millennials are jaded about in terms of traditional markets and investments, which is exactly millennials keep bitcoin for rainy days.

Getting Involved in a Bitcoin Club

Joining a bitcoin club is the easiest way to begin creating wealth. With as little as a few hundred dollars, you can be on your way taking control over your financial future and create substantial wealth. <Learn More>

Foundations of old finance shaken

While those who are using and involved in Bitcoin still make up less than a percent of the population, there’s a growing number of young people in the millennial generation who are turning away from traditional financial empires.

If this trend continues, it could spell the eventual end of the banker, as they go the same way as the travel agent and the library.

Roshaan Khan, a 20-year-old senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, is one of those millennials. Khan recently invested in Bitcoin and Ethereum — another form of cryptocurrency — and is encouraging his friends to do the same.

“All of my net worth is in cryptocurrencies, because I see them as the best way to escalate my ability to be financially secure and pay off my student loans,” Khan said. “I like the idea of decentralization, the fact that there’s a lot less corruption and political ties. That idea appeals to me … Not having to go through banks. Having financial control over our lives again.”

No bankers go to jail

Andreas M. Antonopoulos, the author of Mastering Bitcoin and The Internet of Money, is familiar with this mistrust. The idea of Internet money makes sense in today’s world and appeals to the new generation, but more than that, it is a system that has not betrayed millennials. <Read More>

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Bitcoin’s Journey Toward Mainstream Acceptance Has Begun

Though Bitcoin was created eight years ago, the currency is just starting to attract largescale mainstream attention. The digital currency uses Blockchain technology for a safer and more efficient way of transacting online without the use of banks or credit cards.

In an interview by PBS, Don Tapscott discusses potential uses of Blockchain technology. Tapscott is the co-author of the book entitled “Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business, and the World.” Watch the interview below:

Pundits and investing professionals have called Bitcoin a bubble, since the price has increased an unbelievable 700% over the past year. While many wonder if such growth is sustainable, Tapscott explains that the technology that powers Bitcoin is so transformative as to render the question moot.

Indeed, with the rapid growth of Bitcoin, the days of bankers may be numbered. Digital currency disintermediates banks, provides services to the unbanked and is more secure.  Now you can join bitcoin’s journey toward mainstream acceptance.

Disintermediation

Traditional banking has seen fees grow steadily over the year, to the point where they make up about 40% of the average bank’s income, according to CNBC. Blockchain technology’s promise is simple: cut out the middleman (along with their exorbitant fees) and help secure financial transactions through a distributed ledger system. This results in fully decentralized transactions with relatively low fees. <Read More>

 

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Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin: Price Analysis September

The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of authors/contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph.com. Every investment and trading move involves risk, you should conduct your own research when making a decision.

Bitcoin/USD 07.09.2017

Chinese ICO ban was this week’s hot topic. The news hit the market and it instantly reacted. Bitcoin looked stronger than the rest of the market but was going down as well.

The $4400 support level was easily hit, even though it used to be a key level in August.

Current situation:

  • Since the downfall was caused by the big news, the resistance zones did not work out. As a result, a local $4400 support zone has been formed.

  • Following the news, BTC hit a strong uptrend line. A strong downtrend formation could have started, but the price has recovered really fast. It’s a rather bullish sign.

  • The major news flow is expected later this year in November.

Scenarios:

  • $5000 high test. BTC will probably test high if the rest of the market will show strong growth. For now, no strong triggers that could cause movement.

  • In case of the market being stable, $4400 level can show its strength. During possible slight corrections watch for volumes around the $4400 zone. This level has been rather strong in August, so it’s possible that buyers’ consolidation will happen there.

  • $4000 test. Round levels are traditionally very strong. $4000 level is no exception. If the general market correction happens, then this level will become a key <Read More>

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How to Make Profit: Basic Rules for Beginners in Bitcoin Trading

There has been a protracted debate on the actual identity of Bitcoin, whether it should be regarded as a currency or a commodity.

With reasonable support on each side of the debate based on its inherent characteristics, a huge segment of the ecosystem is of the opinion that Bitcoin can, and should be regarded as both a currency and a commodity.

Whatever definition attached to Bitcoin, the constant variation in price offers an opportunity for investors to make a profit by trading the cryptocurrency, either as a long term investment or in a speculative short term pattern.

Can a few hundred dollars make you a bitcoin millionaire?

Cryptocurrency is all over the internet, however there was only one that really made it work, and that was Bitcoin. “Bitcoin” has all the infrastructure that Billionaires around the world have invested in. Now you have the opportunity to become the next bitcoin millionaire <Learn More>

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How Bitcoin Rescued Victims of Hurricane Harvey

The International Cherch of Blerk, a registered crypto-based 501(c)(3), and recognized religion, is revolutionizing peer to peer charitable works. They are using crypto currency to target aid where it’s needed most.

Hurricane Harvey

After Huricane Harvey struck South Texas, Cherch of Blerk Executive Director Jason Seibert, along with Blerk Medical Director, Dr. Rhiana Ireland, loaded up a truck with a chainsaw, generator, fuel, water and coffee and drove as far into the storm as they could. They finally arrived in Bay City, Texas in the heart of hard-hit Matagorda County after dodging tornadoes and plowing through pouring rain.

In the following days, Seibert and Ireland coordinated the creation of several shelters in the Galveston County area.

Dr. Ireland was recognized nationally for her life saving efforts in JEMS (the Journal of Emergency Medicine). Seibert implemented infectious disease control protocols in food service and meal plans, ran a makeshift kitchen, and produced nearly 12,000 meals for four shelters. Blerk ran all the efforts, advising local officials on how to proceed and how to create new shelters. Blerk even ran medical supplies between shelters as the Red Cross was nowhere to be found.

Bitcoin to the rescue

While running supplies, Blerk’s trucks died. With only a few hours’ notice, Blerk found a truck on the north side of Houston, however, wire transfer of funds was not possible due to the limitations of banks and the time of day. Relying on banks would mean that Blerk would have no transportation for five days..

Jason Seibert contacted Robert Gonzalez, founder of the over the counter (OTC) trading company UTXO, LLC. Gonzalez collaborated with Jesse Wilkinson, a well-known OTC trader in Dallas/Fort Worth area, for a solution. Jason liquidated personal crypto assets <Read More>

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Bitcoin Meets Mainstream Property In $330 Mln BitPay Dubai Deal

A British baroness and asset management conglomerate Knox Group have partnered with BitPay to offer luxury Dubai property for Bitcoin.

The three-way venture will see 1,133 apartments on offer by 2019 worth around $330 mln, with the first 150 for sale at a 20 percent discount.

Mirroring ICOs

This represents the first time anyone can purchase property directly from a developer with Bitcoin, an accompanying press release states, and aspects of the sale are deliberately “mirroring” ICO executions.

“I wanted to offer the property, tech and Blockchain community an […] opportunity by merging the property and tech sectors together in a true first for the industry,” Knox Group chairman Douglas Barrowman commented.

“Bitcoin’s meteoric rise in a few short years means it’s now the world’s leading cryptocurrency.” <Read More>

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Suddenly, Bitcoin Breaks into UK Housing Market as Down Payment

It is a first for the UK that Bitcoin can now be used as a down payment in the property market. Co-living pioneer The Collective have announced that they will be accepting the digital currency as a deposit from prospective tenants.

They are also eyeing out rental payments in Bitcoin, but that will only be implemented later in the year.

It is the first time a UK property developer has opened its doors on the famous digital currency, stating that the demand actually came mostly from international customers.

The Old Oak

The Collective’s online booking form for its Old Oak living scheme, an ambitious co-living development with 550 rooms, will be accepting Bitcoin as a deposit on <Read More>

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Number of Bitcoin ATMs Will Increase in Australia from 20 to 500

Australia could gain up to 500 two-way Bitcoin ATMs following a partnership between two native fintech firms.

Under the deal between Stargroup and Digital X, bespoke ATM software will run in tandem with a special API to ‘retrofit’ Stargroup’s standard ATMs with Bitcoin purchase and sales functionality.

Once complete, a full roll-out would see the number of Bitcoin ATMs increase in multiples from the current nationwide total of just 20 machines.

“This development may also be able to be applied to other cryptocurrencies and be distributed internationally,” Stargroup’s CEO Todd Zani said in an accompanying press release.

Australia has been comparatively quiet in the ATM sector until now. In the US, competition has heated up among manufacturers aiming to corner the market with roll-outs of dozens of machines across the country this year.

The move marks a show of confidence from <Read More>

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Cryptocurrency Hedge Funds Drive New Satoshi Cycles

The number of hedge funds with investments in cryptocurrencies has jumped massively in recent months. Reports of as many as 70 new hedge funds with cryptocurrency positions has led to an investor rush.

This number has continued to grow, increasing the availability for institutional-level investment in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. A recent report by Quartz.com indicates that this trend is continuing, as investors seek better returns from hedge funds, as the recent returns from these funds have been lower than the indexed S&P 500.

Hedge fund = price growth

The increase in hedge fund participation has coincided with a substantial increase in Bitcoin price, edging close to $5,000 in recent trading. This jump, predicted by many industry insiders, has been led by increasing mainstream participation in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The article made it clear that the increasing investor participation will fuel <Read More>