Читать книгу Bitcoin, Blockchain & Co. - Joe Martin - Страница 4

A change in thinking was not the only thing missing in my understanding of what is happening with cryptocurrencies. I lacked the central theme, the overarching framework, or maybe—as I now think—the deeper meaning of Bitcoin and blockchain.

When I realized something was missing from my conceptual framework, I started to seek it out. I looked for a new paradigm.

Many people who get involved with crypto see it as an opportunity to gamble. They want to take a chance at the possible windfall that comes with investing early in new technologies. With Bitcoin, the rate rocketed from a few hundred to over $10,000 within one year, and investors experienced wild fluctuations, up and down, again and again.

The cryptocurrency Ethereum, whose rate shot from under $10 to nearly $1,000, experienced even wilder fluctuations. Ethereum investors gambled with so-called “Alt-Coins” and via ICOs—but more about that later in the book.

Oh yes, and all that happened within nine to twelve months. Bitcoin shot up 1.333 % in twelve months (December 2016 to December 2017- from $750 to $ 10,000), while Ethereum skyrocketed 5,300% in twelve months (Ethereum from December 2016 until December 2017 - from $8 to $420).

Nearly every crypto-portfolio made the profits of Warren Buffet—the best investor in the world for the last 40 years—look like pocket change. These profits in the thousands of percent were new for everyone, even the high-powered professionals who gamble every day with their financial instruments and move billions back and forth.

But others who come into contact with Blockchain see even more in it. They see better workflows in their company, more peace for mankind, the solution to all problems, the universal world computer.

The truth is probably—as it so often is—somewhere in between. However, this recognition does help us to further understand what it all means. What are the long-term implications of Blockchain? Are there any? Is it all just hype, a new software? Like Windows 10, 11 or 12?