this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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Yes, I know that it still exist, and yes, decentralized currency which utilizes distributed, cryptographic validation is not actually a strictly bad idea, but...

Is the speculative investment scam, which crypto substantially represented, finally dead? Can we go back to buying gold bars and Pokemon cards?

I feel like it is, but I'm having a hard time putting my finger on why it lost its sheen. Maybe crypto scammers moved on to selling LLM "prompts?" Maybe the rug just got pulled enough times that everyone lost trust.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

I think really it just hit some kind of critical mass where people lost interest. Like streaming services: at first there was one (Netflix) and everyone wanted it, then there were a few and there was one for everyone, then there were too many and people just got sick.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

as long as there are easily accessible networks with money on them there will be scammers to try and exploit them, this is no different than what we have seen with fiat, the biggest difference being that usually you have to use cash only to put out a shingle and be shady. Crypto allowed anyone to "look" legit and have easy access to settlement.

if anything people are learning WHY you want to at minimum control the ramps and ensure there are channels through which there can be trade using strong identity systems. next phase of crypto will look a bit more grown up as it will very likely be coming to the party as an enabler of multiple VRF style auth systems, helping break dependance on social login systems.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I am just really happy that storage-based crypto died. It made getting hard drives, and used-servers with drive-bays pretty expensive....

Although, https://cryptoslate.com/cryptos/storage/ I guess many more rose to take its place. :-/

I think the real problem with crypto, everyone and their mother has decided to make another stupid cryptos.... and most of them, are completely stupid. The only person profiting, is the person who created it and minted themselves a bunch of coins to hold onto until the value went up.

Don't get me wrong, I think crypto has its place. But, buying pizza at pizza hut isn't it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

If you can't buy pizza at pizza hut with it, it's pretty useless as a currency. Which doesn't surprise me, as it doesn't solve any problems with electronic transactions better than traditional existing tools except if you're undertaking illegal purchases.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

you do mind explaining where crypto might have its place?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

considering the comments, it’s right now the best time to buy some eth

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Bitcoin's in the low $29kus region lately (up from $26kus), so it looks like it's going to keep going. Also, big real money investors are now pretty long on cryptocurrency, so there is a vested interest in keeping it around.

Plus, you know, folks buying stuff on the black and grey markets with it. Wish I didn't have to mention drugs, but it's the easiest way to keep getting insulin for folks these days in addition to the usual recreational compounds.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

It will never die. I believe it will wax and wane over the years. Being incredibly anonymous and deregulated means it will always be a great place for the evil doers to manipulate the market and make money off of it. Because of that there will always be some people using it.

I think one of the biggest failings of cryptocurrency in general is that people view it as a replacement for cash or debit cards when in reality with how slow and expensive the transactions are it is more of a replacement for clearing houses. When you get money sent to your bank you can use it right away because the bank trusts you and provides that service but the money isn't truly there yet. You may have heard the phrase of "the check cleared" or something similar. It takes a long time for those processes to complete and crypto is faster than it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

There are always some new people who believe they can get rich quick by investing in stocks, crypto, NFTs or something else. Why don’t we just write numbers on ping pong balls, throw them in huge transparent plastic sphere, shuffle the balls a few times, pull out a few and give some money to anyone who guessed the right numbers. Oh, wait we’ve already invented the stupidity tax centuries ago.

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