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Bitcoin and Crypto-currency


               
2017 Nov 5, 3:36pm   123,221 views  643 comments

by BayArea   follow (1)  

#investing

Hi guys,

I'd like to start a conversation on crypto-currency, particularly Bitcoin.

What do you all think about it from an investment point of view today? I have some buddies in the finance world who are quite bullish on it and claim we are just scratching the surface. Judging by the recent performance, they may be right.

For people who are investing in Bitcoin, what are you using to invest and what recommendations do you have for a new investor?

Also, how are gains taxed compared to typical stock market gains?

I read this week that over 100,000 merchants in the USA are accepting Bitcoin today.

At the same time, digital currency does scare me a bit as it seems so abstract. Curious what PatNet thinks.

Thanks guys!

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637   AD   2025 Dec 1, 4:24pm  

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vanguard-now-allow-crypto-etfs-211500405.html

(Bloomberg) -- Vanguard Group, the world’s second-largest asset manager, has decided to allow ETFs and mutual funds that primarily hold cryptocurrencies to be traded on its platform, reversing a longstanding position.

Starting on Tuesday, Vanguard will allow ETFs and mutual funds that primarily hold select cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and Solana, to be eligible for trading on its platform. It’s a compromise that belies the firm’s long-standing view that digital assets are too volatile and speculative for serious portfolios and comes despite a more than $1 trillion drawdown in crypto market value since early October.
639   REpro   2025 Dec 1, 6:13pm  

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58678907
https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/cryptocurrencies/china-bans-all-crypto-what-it-really-means-for-the-global-market/ar-AA1Gw1f4

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) reaffirmed the total prohibition on crypto trading in late 2025, coordinating with 13 government agencies to crack down on illegal digital currency activities

For them trading cryptocurrency was devaluated to the level of trading baseball cards.
640   AD   2025 Dec 1, 6:30pm  

REpro says

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) reaffirmed the total prohibition on crypto trading


Its a threat to the Chicom's interests. They rather have Chicom subjects (i.e. Chinese nationals) invest in high rise apartments.

Also the Chicoms think crypto will help strengthen the dollar such as with stable coin and Bitcoin Reserve owned by the US Treasury, and they believe having large gold reserves will help to reduce the dollar as a reserve currency.
641   AD   2025 Dec 2, 12:12pm  

Opinion: For these big players, investing in bitcoin is all about power
Governments increasingly are using cryptocurrency to gain geopolitical clout and decouple from the dollar

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bitcoin-still-has-one-thing-going-for-it-that-investors-are-missing-d2988d9b

....................................................................

Quick Summary:
The MarketWatch article argues that despite volatility and skepticism, Bitcoin’s enduring advantage lies in its scarcity and fixed supply. This unique characteristic continues to differentiate it from other assets and remains underappreciated by many investors.

Key Points from the Article
• Scarcity as Core Value
• Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million coins, making it fundamentally different from fiat currencies that can be printed in unlimited amounts.
• This scarcity is what gives Bitcoin its long-term appeal, especially in times of inflation or monetary expansion.
• Investor Blind Spot
• Many investors focus on short-term price swings, regulatory uncertainty, or competition from other cryptocurrencies.
• The article emphasizes that these concerns often overshadow Bitcoin’s most important feature: its fixed supply.
• Comparison to Other Assets
• Unlike gold, which can still be mined, or fiat currencies, which can be expanded, Bitcoin’s supply is mathematically predetermined.
• This makes it a unique hedge against inflation and monetary policy shifts.
• Market Sentiment
• Current investor sentiment may be cautious due to volatility and macroeconomic factors.
• However, the article suggests that long-term holders recognize Bitcoin’s scarcity as its enduring strength.
• Broader Implications
• Bitcoin’s scarcity could play a larger role in institutional adoption as investors seek assets with predictable supply dynamics.
• The piece implies that this overlooked factor may drive future demand, even if short-term trading remains turbulent.

Why It Matters for You
Given your interest in institutional finance and Bitcoin ETF analysis, this article reinforces the narrative that scarcity—not just price action—is the key driver of Bitcoin’s long-term value. For your Gulf Coast community, where inflation and economic resilience are pressing concerns, highlighting Bitcoin’s fixed supply could help frame discussions about its role as a hedge or alternative store of value.
642   AD   2025 Dec 3, 12:31pm  



643   AD   2025 Dec 4, 12:10pm  

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/podcasts/larry-fink-and-brian-armstrong-are-not-worried-about-another-crypto-winter.html

Here’s a concise 4‑bullet summary of the New York Times podcast article featuring Larry Fink (BlackRock) and Brian Armstrong (Coinbase):

• Larry Fink and Brian Armstrong both expressed confidence in crypto’s resilience, arguing that institutional adoption and regulatory clarity are making another “crypto winter” unlikely.
• Fink highlighted BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF success, noting strong investor demand and positioning crypto as a legitimate asset class alongside traditional investments.
• Armstrong emphasized Coinbase’s role in mainstreaming crypto, pointing to growing retail participation and the integration of blockchain into financial infrastructure.
• Both leaders framed crypto as entering a new maturity phase, where volatility remains but long‑term growth is supported by broader acceptance and global financial integration

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