I watched, or more listened to the Silver Shield point of view against Crypto Currencies and Bitcoin in particular, and the Biz Wier's response. I have to say that I am on Bix's side of the discussion. I have a small amount of metals and a small amount of cryptos. I also agree that it is doubtful that we will return to using gold and silver as currency, possibly for use as barter in times of complete breakdown, but not generally as cash. Although, a while ago I did see an artist develop a concept for gold sheet in the form of notes that could be subdivided. I liked it, but I doubt it will catch on.
https://www.peakprosperity.com/podcast/84359/new-way-hold-gold
Bix used a good definition of what currency is. I use the word currency as Mike Maloney does, dollars and Euros are currency, gold and silver are money, in a true sense. However, the one thing all forms of currency or money or crypto currencies are backed by is "Faith" or "Belief". They are only worth anything as an exchange for goods or services because we believe that they have some kind of inherent value. All money systems are dependent on faith.
Today, when I am writing this, I am in Kenya. Here in Kenya, there is a massively used exchange separate from the banks, the system is called mpesa. The banks tried to fight it, but lost. It is not a blockchain technology, but it is not controlled by the banks. Almost everyone from the owners of the tea plantations to the simple farm labourer has a mobile phone, they then have access to mpesa. You can send someone the equivalent of a dollar or Euro, for a tiny fraction of cost. I yse it all the time here. This is what a crypto currency should be aiming to do. Mpesa can be used to buy your cup of coffee, or to pay your electricity bill or fill up your car. The most you can have in your account is about 1000 dollars. The banks are now accepting this alternative system. Mpesa us not seen as a store f value, but it is digital money.
I am not saying that mp esa is better than a blockchain, it is not. For those interested, this is a good brief comparison.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-and-m-pesa-what-stands-between-them
What ai am pointing out here, is simply that if you create an easy to use system, then it will be quickly adopted and widely used by the population as a whole. Most people in Kenya have never heard of Bitcoin and have no idea what a blockchain is. But people here use mpesa as a digital currency and it has been good for wealthy and poor alike.
