hamster
Hamsters are small, furry rodents that are popular as pets all around the world. There are several species of hamsters, but the most commonly kept as pets are the Syrian hamster and the dwarf hamster.
Syrian hamsters are larger than dwarf hamsters, and they are solitary creatures that prefer to live alone. They are also known as golden hamsters, and they have a lifespan of around two to three years.
Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, are smaller and social creatures that enjoy living with others of their kind. They have a lifespan of around one to two years.
Hamsters are primarily nocturnal creatures, which means they are most active during the night. They have a natural instinct to burrow and hide, so it is important to provide them with plenty of bedding and hiding places in their cage.
Hamsters are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and meat. In the wild, they feed on seeds, grains, insects, and small animals. As pets, they can be fed a variety of foods, including commercial hamster food, fresh fruits and vegetables, and small amounts of cooked meat.
Hamsters are known for their ability to store food in their cheeks, which allows them to carry large amounts of food back to their burrows. They also have a unique digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from their food more efficiently than other animals.
As pets, hamsters are relatively low-maintenance. They require a cage with plenty of space to run and play, fresh water, and a balanced diet. They also need their cage to be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors.
One of the most endearing traits of hamsters is their playful and curious nature. They enjoy running on exercise wheels, playing with toys, and exploring their surroundings. However, they can be delicate animals and need to be handled gently to avoid injury.
In conclusion, hamsters are fascinating animals that make great pets for people of all ages. They are relatively easy to care for, and their playful nature can provide hours of entertainment for their owners. Whether you choose a Syrian hamster or a dwarf hamster, these furry little rodents are sure to bring joy to your life.
Bitcoin A Profitable Investment Than Stocks?
Is Bitcoin a more profitable investment than stocks? (Productive vs. Unproductive Assets)
Bitcoin has appreciated significantly in recent years, and polarized debates on social media about which asset will perform best in the future continue indefinitely. Many people swear by bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, while others swear by more traditional assets such as stocks, real estate, and gold.
We own all asset classes (assuming cryptos are an asset class), but we own far more stocks than the other asset classes combined. The reason is straightforward: we prefer to own pieces of businesses that generate positive cash flows year after year. We want to own real productive assets that will keep us financially secure regardless of the currency in use.
The issue with gold and bitcoin is that they do not generate any tangible values – they do not generate cash. As a result, we believe they are unlikely to outperform stocks in the long run (decades).
Most investors are either completely opposed to bitcoin or completely in favor of it. We aren't either. Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, are primarily viewed as a call option for the future of finance. Please keep in mind that we are a little old-school, and our perspective reflects that (that's the disadvantage of being over 50...).
An option is similar to insurance, and the majority of insurance premiums are lost. That's the way insurance works. However, we believe that bitcoin and cryptos are here to stay, though we can't say in what form or at what price. We have only a very small allocation to cryptos due to the uncertainty. The internet had a significant impact on the world, but most internet stocks went bankrupt. It's difficult to predict the outcome of something new, innovative, and disruptive entering the arena. We believe the crypto market will be no different.
Is bitcoin the new gold? Who can say? Will bitcoin be widely used for the purchase and sale of goods and services? This, we believe, is highly unlikely. Is it a one-time occurrence or a recurring occurrence? Yes.
Are bitcoin and cryptocurrency more valuable than stocks?
To answer this, we must first understand the two distinct asset classes. We are by no means crypto experts, but we believe we understand enough to be reasonably qualified to understand the main differences.
What exactly is a bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency or token that first appeared in the aftermath of the 2008/09 global financial crisis. It is still unknown who is the "inventor" and author of the current and its whitepaper. Who exactly is Satoshi Nakamoto? Is it a person? What is an institution? Is it a company? Who knows, and we assume that the longer it goes, the less likely it is to know who created it.
It is a collection of electronic digits rather than a physical asset. Transactions and balances are kept on a public ledger that everyone can see, though you only see numbers, not "trader Joe" owning a specific bitcoin. When you sell a bitcoin to someone in Nigeria, the transaction is recorded on the ledger for all to see. The true owner, on the other hand, may be difficult to locate. One of the primary benefits of bitcoin is that it is decentralized and has a limited supply. Unlike central banks, you cannot simply "print" more bitcoins than have already been programmed. As a result, many people believe bitcoin is a safe haven against impending inflation and a store of value.
What exactly are shares (or stocks)?
https://youtu.be/GnJCOof2HJk
Shares are physical objects. You can own shares through a broker, in "street name," or through a custodian, or you can have stock certificates in your own name. By purchasing shares, you gain ownership of a portion of a company's assets. However, the business could be to own bitcoins, similar to an ETF. However, the majority of shares are used to raise capital to provide products and services in high demand by the general public. Thus, a business serves society by being guided by "the invisible hand," which allocates capital and resources to the most efficient providers. The company hopes to make a profit at the end of the year by selling goods and services. If there is no demand, the company will fail or be taken over. Unfortunately, we might say that most businesses fail sooner or later. During its initial public offering, the average public company fails to outperform short-term Treasuries!
Nonetheless, thanks to a few outliers who are multibaggers, the stock market has been the best asset class over the last century. As a result, if you own a basket of companies (the "market"), you participate in the broad creation of value in society through the production of goods and services. Over the last century, shareholders have benefited greatly from ownership of "the market."
In reality, if you had invested the dividends, your return would have been much higher. The annual return is around 10% (including dividends reinvested) – not bad! After 30 years, $100,000 invested at 10% yields $1.7 million.
categorize assets into two categories:
Assets that are productive vs. unproductive:
Stocks are productive assets, whereas bitcoin and cryptocurrency are unproductive assets.
Bitcoin is a non-productive asset – it generates no income.
There is only one way to profit from unproductive assets: have someone else pay more than you did. This can, of course, be accomplished by increasing bitcoin's network effect and scalability. The more people who use bitcoin, the more valuable it will become. The greater the number of institutions that accept bitcoin, the greater the networking effect. However, one of its flaws is that it does not generate cash.
Is this to say that Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are a Ponzi scheme? Of course not, despite the fact that Nassim Taleb recently stated that it resembles a Ponzi scheme. Gold, too, does not produce tangible values but has managed to retain its purchasing power over thousands of years.
If you own one bitcoin today, you will still have one bitcoin in 2030. Similarly, as Warren Buffett points out, if you own one ounce of gold today, you will still own one ounce of gold in 2030.
Stocks are productive assets because they generate earnings and cash flows.
Productive assets have a significant advantage over unproductive assets in that they generate cash. As long as society does not implode, productivity gains will make owning productive assets more valuable over time.
Why is this the case?
Because, in the long run, the majority of the profits from stock ownership come from retained and reinvested earnings or reinvested dividends. Howard Marks refers to this as "interest on interest" (to use a phrase from the bond market).
The reinvestment of earnings and dividends, rather than the initial investment, has the potential to make you wealthy. As a result, the marginal rate of return is critical.
It accumulates – it snowballs. This is precisely what has made Warren Buffett so wealthy. He's probably a fantastic investor, but his wealth stems from his ability to postpone gratification by reinvesting all profits and allowing them to compound.
Investing in dividends: the marginal rate of return.
Compounding – the long-term mindset's and delayed gratification's magic
Let us look at why Warren Buffett made 99 percent of his money after the age of 50:
After 20 years, an investment that grows at a rate of 10% per year has multiplied 6.7 times. However, if you wait ten years longer, i.e. 30 years, it is worth 17 times more. The last ten years are only one-third of the total time period, but they allow you to accumulate 60% of the gains. This is called exponential growth!
https://youtu.be/q3IG95iWwTU
If you manage slightly higher returns, say 11%, the numbers are 8 and 22.
Again, an unproductive asset like bitcoin or gold cannot be compounded. As a result, stocks should be a better long-term investment.
Why a productive asset is more valuable in the long run than an unproductive one:
The math is simple: if you invest $100 and manage to grow it by 30% per year while reinvesting at the same rate, you will have 130 at the end of the first year. After the second year, you have 169, not 160. After year three you have 220, not 190. Your assets grow at an exponential rate! (To demonstrate the exponential growth, we used a high rate of return.) The longer you wait, the better your rewards will be.
Assume you own ABC Food, a company that wants to acquire and manage food companies "hands off." The company is small, and it has no plans to pay dividends in the near future, preferring to reinvest all earnings back into the existing business.
Assume you own 0.1 percent of this food company and indirectly own a stake in 20 other companies/subsidiaries. If the company manages to repurchase 20% of its shares and reinvest in ten more businesses over the next 15 years, you will own 0.12% of 30 businesses after 15 years. Again, the snowball effect aids in compounding.
Bitcoin and gold cannot be snowballed. That is their fundamental issue. This is why gold has vastly underperformed stocks.
The higher incremental returns, the steeper the curve.
How to Inflation-Protect Your Assets
Should you invest in gold or in gold mining companies?
The views of Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger on bitcoin
Warren Buffett is mocked for not "understanding" cryptos, but he is disciplined and sticks to his area of expertise. Those of us who remember the dot-com bubble will recall that he was also chastised for not investing in internet stocks.
In fact, he has made no significant investments in technology to date (however, perhaps his investments in IBM and Apple could be called tech stocks).
One of the reasons is a lack of predictability and intrinsic value estimations. How can you invest if you don't know what the value will be in x years? Most tech stocks finish near the bottom of the performance rankings, with only a few exceptions.
Why is stock selection so difficult?
https://youtu.be/TmWW7tsCuGQ
Munger and Buffett avoided investing in gold because it generates no income. It's considered a "dead" asset. They do not invest in bitcoins and cryptocurrencies for the same reasons. They are unable to combine.
Is Bitcoin a hedge from the financial system?
During the 2008/09 GFC, most asset classes "broke down." The system was on the verge of collapsing, and we believe it is in even worse shape now than it was then. As a result, because bitcoin is decentralized and unleveraged, it could serve as a hedge against all of this.
Is bitcoin a safe haven from inflation?
Inflation has never been a real issue for those under the age of 50 who grew up in the Western world. However, this may come to an end. The balance sheets of central banks have expanded, and trillions of dollars have been created "out of thin air."
However, we are unable to see bitcoin as a play on inflation. The price action suggests that this is mostly speculation rather than hedging. Many people advocate for bitcoin as an investment, but in reality, it is mostly used for speculation. Surprisingly, people speculate in bitcoin to make money in dollars – which, despite an increasing supply, are a usable currency.
In general, there is no link between inflation and Bitcoin. None. I mean, hyperinflation and Bitcoin going to zero are both possibilities. There is no connection between them.
Let's just say that bitcoin has a lot to prove as an inflation hedge.
Bitcoin is far too volatile and dangerous.
However, volatility is not the main issue. It is a symptom of the underlying problem, which is a lack of access to any useful businesses or services (at least as of now).
Tesla invested in bitcoin and made it legal tender for car purchases, but then decided to return to dollars in a "surprise" move. As a result, the value of bitcoin dropped by 30%.
Bitcoin is extremely volatile.
What causes it to be volatile? Most likely due to the difficulty in valuing it. Furthermore, there is a lot of speculation about it. As a result, we can hardly call it a "store of value."
Benjamin Graham writes in The Intelligent Investor that investing is about analyzing the safety of your investment/principal and the likelihood of receiving a "satisfactory" return. We don't see how Bitcoin can fit into such a description because it is such a new innovation.
Why not invest in gold or real estate if you are concerned about sudden inflation? They have data dating back centuries and have proven to be an effective hedge against "sudden" inflation. These two asset classes do have one advantage that bitcoin and cryptos do not: they are physical. If they all go to zero (in value), you still have something useful if you own real estate or gold. you can build/grow/live on your land, or you can wear gold necklaces around your neck.
Similarly, if you own maturing whisky, another physical asset with a purpose, you can at least take delivery and drown your sorrows if your casks become worthless, Cask is king when it comes to whisky investment.
Buy some land if you want to protect yourself against inflation. On it, I'm not sure what, olives? You'll have olive oil on hand. You'll have something if the price falls.
Is bitcoin a scarce commodity?
The limited supply of bitcoin is one of its main selling points. But does scarcity always imply a good investment? That is an interesting argument, and it may be valid.
To our knowledge, there are over 1000 different cryptos, and there are no limits to how many you can "invent" and offer for supply. The total valuation has already surpassed one trillion USD. Which cryptocurrency will emerge victorious in the future? Who can say?
Technology is always evolving at a rapid pace. When the internet became useful in the 1990s, the market was inundated with internet companies. Unfortunately, the majority of them failed and are no longer in operation.
Similarly, even if the blockchain becomes useful in everyday life, it is difficult to forecast the outcome of cryptos and their value.
Conclusion: Stocks should be a better long-term investment than bitcoin.
Tourio
Preferring to run around the forests and plains of Caerras in large herds, the Tourio is as strong as it is fast.
Its large, pointed horns easily pierce through flesh and their hard foreheads can break bone during a Tourio ram attack.
However, contrary to popular belief, they are not violent at all. In fact, they’re one of the only Borax species who are herbivores rather than carnivores.
The Tourio herd structure is extremely community centric as they are commonly reported to show care and compassion for each other in the herd.
Once befriended, the Tourio is a very docile and loyal companion, often treating you and your family as members of the herd.
**Nature Tourio**
The Nature Tourio is known to Ayena Ridge locals as the gardener of the mountains.
As the jagged cliff sides of the Tawarin Mountains are far too dangerous for humans to climb, the Nature Tourio can be seen travelling in their herds along the mountain ridge, grazing on the plants along the sheer rock face.
Many scientists report that without their grazing, the overgrowth would trigger rockslides all along the ridges and cause severe damage to the areas at the base of the mountains.
**Ice Tourio**
The Ice Tourio was actually not discovered in the traditional sense.
A famous Azulean artist, Julie Xi, was attempting to summit the Gallos Mountains to paint the breathtakingly beautiful view when her climbing party was blindsided by a sudden blizzard.
As the storm began to overtake them, a bright Ice Tourio burst from the howling winds and sprinted across the sheer cliff side to direct the party to a nearby cave.
There, the party was able to find shelter from the storm and Julie Xi painted one of her most famous paintings, The Guardian Deity of Snow Kissed Mountains.
**Antello**
The Antello is a tall and majestic Venari that loves to prance across the grasslands.
A peaceful Venari, it prefers to spend its days eating grass and hiding right out in the open.
They usually travel in a herd, making them incredibly intimidating to approach.
While their hearing may not be the most adept, they utilize their long antlers to sense any distinct changes in the air.
While they look very friendly and calm, the Antello can sense a threat from a mile away.
Once the predator is spotted, they would release a rumbling squawk to scare any Venari from stepping into their boundaries.
If it’s not enough, they’re fully ready to take advantage of their large herd numbers to overpower their predators.
While its large form limits hiding choices, the Nature Antello prefers to conceal itself in open spaces.
It would duck its head, and the leaves around its neck would begin to stand, camouflaging it with the bushes.
However, what sets it apart from the other types is how its leaves contain germinating seeds that could potentially grow into flowers.
Their migratory patterns have been documented by the flora they often leave behind.
Unlike other variants, the **Ice Antello** favors the harsh mountains.
It thrives in the coldest environment that some could’ve sworn that they see icicles wrapped around its neck, rather than the usual leaf-like structure.
It’s rarely spotted given the hard climb up the peak. However, it's still extremely rare to spot, with many saying that the Ice Antello only appears once in a blue moon.
**Eurici**
The Eurici often sits at the highest of tree branches, allowing its tail to sway with the leaves.
In fact, the Eurici’s grip is so firm that even an earthquake wouldn’t be able to shake it off.
Once perched, it feeds eagerly on nearby vegetation While this type of Venari could easily blend in at night, their bright shade and glowing appearances become much more noticeable during the day.
They would scuttle across bark, creating rapid clicking noises to imitate the Aharas’ hisses as a way to ward off any predators.
While most of them feed on vegetation, they do prefer to spend their days wrap around the tree branch. While they may not be the smartest Venari, they sure are more resourceful than others.
Aerus
The Aerus is an inquisitive, nocturnal Venari that prefers to be isolated from its surroundings. Its individualistic nature makes it harder to catch one. The Aerus can be as carefree as it is cautious. While its short-sightedness may be considered a hindrance to many predators, its large ears can hear movement of potential prey from far away. It never forgets a sound or even a voice, so hunters must be very quiet when setting up their rigs. This Venari may not be equipped with poison or claws, but its speed and bite are unparalleled. As the people like to say, you can't outrun an Aerus.
The Ice Aerus is rarely seen, only because it appears with the coming of winter. Many say that its sinking teeth can give you frostbite and its icy gaze can chill you from far away. Most of the time though, they prefer climbing rocks and chasing after small prey under the starry night rather than fighting larger Venari and humans.
The Aharas is a sneaky Venari that prefers to spend its days hiding inside underground caves and tunnels. While many would assume that these species are individualistic, they actually travel in small packs–attracting anyone’s attention with their loud hisses and shining stripes. They may not look dangerous, but hunters and collectors alike should be cautious when approaching the Aharas. The tips of their tails contain a venom that paralyzes any lingering predators within a few seconds! When not met with an antidote, it might even lead to death. That’s why, when an Aharas is nearby, it's always best to head the other way.
The Ice Aharas really dislikes the heat, so it prefers to stay underground as much as possible. It only comes out when it detects prey above ground. When you’re travelling to the outskirts of Tecta, make sure to watch your step! You never know when the Ice Aharas will attack!
Jin'Hu
Known for its radiant fur and kingly appearance, the Jin’Hu is called the king of the Cleova. This territorial, apex predator rules over its domain in the northern regions alone, constantly on the prowl for prey with its sharp eyesight and acute hearing. Armed with a bone-crushing bite and a powerful pounce, the Jin’Hu is a very efficient killer. It’s low, rumbling growl causes other fearless Venari predators, such as the Leolis and Valtri, to stop in their tracks and flee. For much of the Age of Ignorance, humanity avoided all Venari, including the Jin’Hu. It wasn’t until after the Legendary Collector’s infamous encounter with them during one fateful Yue’Guxiang Festival, that the Jin’Hu were understood to be peaceful around humans - provided the proper respect be given to these proud predators.The Legendary Collector’s account has been widely popularized as one of the many tales celebrated during Yue’Guxiang, leading to the formation of one of its most well-known traditions; preparing food for one another to share a meal as respected equals.
Using its sharp claws to pierce directly into the icy rock, the **Ice Jin’Hu** is capable of scaling snowy mountain faces quickly. It’s thick white coat helps it stay warm and blend into the snowstorm, leaving its prey almost no time to react to seeing this terrifying ghost. This variant also tends to share territories as prey is extremely scarce in the high mountains and any successful hunt draws many Ice Jin’Hu together to feast.
A more southern variant, the **Nature Jin’Hu** has adapted well to its native home. Using it’s dark green fur, it has become a master of camouflage in the dense jungle as it lies quietly in wait in the trees and brush. Once a potential prey is spotted, it strikes as swiftly and silently as the wind, disappearing once again into the leaves without so much as a trace.
The **Golden Jin’Hu** is extremely rare but is easily distinguished by its famous golden coat. As they grow older, streaks of brilliant red begin to appear, creating a truly magnificent appearance. It is said that they earn these red stripes through long hours of basking under the hot sun, changing the colors of their hide underneath. As a result, they are often found in the open cliffsides where they can truly enjoy the radiant rays of the sun.
The Leolis is one of the most terrifying predators that roam Caerras. Travelling often in large packs, they’re famous for their piercing eyes and wide tails. Equipped with a thick hide resilient to scratches and a powerful snout that never forgets a scent, the Leolis can often track its prey across hundreds of miles. It is rumored that the Talasakan Tribe used to raise Leolis as hunting partners with children playing with young pups to forge a strong bond. Neria Axe, the founder of Talaw, refuted these claims, stating the Talasakan Tribe would commonly defend their people from Leolis attacks and proudly bore her scars as proof.
The **Ice Leolis** is very different from its other variants as it does not travel in packs due to the harsh climate that it resides in. However, even as a singular hunter, it’s incredibly lethal in prowling the snowy mountains, successfully hunting and devouring any prey it comes across.
**Nature Leolis** there isn’t really much known about this specific Venari variant, given how this vicious variant of Leolis leaves no survivors. In fact, the only reason we have records of this Venari is due to a remote camera catching glimpses of it camouflaged within brushes and tall grasses. If you encounter one, be extremely careful as it may be your final moments.
Mooroo and Meeka
**Nature Mooroo**
This curious, nocturnal Venari only comes out when it thinks it’s alone. Their large, glowing eyes allow them to see from miles away, and their pointed, perked ears allow them to hear any movement nearby, even if it’s flying prey. This is why it’s hard to catch even a sighting of the Mooroo up close, much less capture one. While they prefer to fly their way around Caerras, there are times when they hunt on the ground–their favorite being the juicy Laticus. On the ground, their small wings are still flapping to help keep their balance as they waddle across the plain, making them seem more vulnerable than they are up in the air. The Nature Mooroo is believed to see everything in its surroundings–even the happenings behind it. It’s what makes it so much more difficult to hunt down. Furthermore, it is an absolute master of camouflage, disappearing into leaves and grass extremely quickly. Fervent believers worship the Nature Mooroo, claiming that it’s all-seeing eyes are able to judge a person’s true intentions.
**Ice Mooroo**
The Ice Mooroo was originally misunderstood as a ghost. It was said to haunt certain landmarks and structures, with its large eyes scaring many that crossed its path. In reality however, the Ice Mooroo is simply the most curious variant, seeking to explore the world itself.
**Meeka Nature**
The Meeka is an incredibly mischievous Venari that likes to sneak in through different burrows and tunnels underground. They love being around different people, showing up in the most crowded locations, often stealing food or shiny objects. While they may look defenseless, they always have an escape plan when they encounter dangerous situations. Their thick fur allows them to withstand the colder weather of Tecta as they prey more on the defenseless, hibernating Lurkens during wintertime. The Ice Meeka loves the cold even more so than compared to other Meeka variants. It’s thick and bright blue fur coat was prized amongst fashion circles before Venari fur was banned. In fact, it loves the freezing weather so much that it often experiences heat strokes when relocated to a much warmer location. Keepers of the Ice Meeka must keep it at a specific temperature. Even just a little increase could cause significant discomfort for the Ice Meeka.
**Ice Meeka**
While Meekas are generally comfortable with cold climates, Nature Meekas prefer more sun than icy winds. Their fur is genetically thinner than others, making it harder for them to reside in the freezing mountaintops. Nature Meekas are known for hoarding tremendous amounts of treasure in their dirt burrows and it’s said that if you manage to capture one, it may try to lead you to its treasure.
Myth: Bitcoin is far too volatile to be used as money.
Some people may purchase Bitcoin as an investment in the hope that the price will rise. Bitcoin is purchased with a credit card or, in some cases, obtained through a process known as "mining." Bitcoin is stored in a digital wallet, which can be found online, on your computer, or on other hardware. Before you buy Bitcoin, keep in mind that it does not provide the same level of security as using US dollars. Also, be aware that scammers will ask you to pay with Bitcoin because they are aware that such payments are typically non-reversible.
The undeniable fact that cryptocurrencies are digital is not the only significant distinction between Bitcoin and traditional currencies such as US dollars. Cryptocurrencies are not government-backed. The government does not insure cryptocurrencies. Bank deposits in the United States, for example. This means that Bitcoin stored online does not have the same level of security as money stored in a bank account. If you keep your Bitcoin in a digital wallet provided by a company and that company goes out of business or is hacked, the government will confiscate your Bitcoin. will be unable to assist you in obtaining a refund because it may involve money held in banks or credit unions.
The value of a Bitcoin fluctuates all the time. The value of a Bitcoin can fluctuate by the hour. An investment that is worth thousands of dollars today may be worth only a few hundred dollars tomorrow. If the price falls, there is no guarantee that it will rise again. When you pay with Bitcoin, you do not have the same legal protections. If something goes wrong with your debit or credit card, you are legally protected. For example, if you want to dispute a purchase, your credit card company has a process to help you get a refund. Bitcoin payments are not usually reversible. If you pay with Bitcoin, you can only get a refund if the seller returns it. Before purchasing something with cryptocurrency, learn about the seller's reputation, where the seller can be found, and how to contact someone if there is a drag.
Benefits that may accrue if Bitcoin surpasses fiat currencies in the long run. One critical consideration is that Bitcoin cannot be manipulated as easily as fiat currency, owing to its decentralized and unregulated nature. Aside from that, Bitcoin may be able to better support the concept of a universal basic income than fiat currencies. In fact, some programs have already experimented with using cryptocurrencies to distribute a universal basic income. Furthermore, cryptocurrencies may aid in the push to eliminate intermediaries in everyday transactions. This could save businesses money while also benefiting consumers.
Of course, there are some significant challenges and concerns with this scenario if cryptocurrencies replace cash. If cryptocurrencies outnumber cash in terms of usage, traditional currencies will depreciate with no recourse. Should Bitcoin completely take over, new infrastructure would need to be built to allow the world to adapt. The transition would inevitably be difficult, as cash could quickly become incompatible, leaving some people with lost assets. Established financial institutions would almost certainly have to scramble to change their ways. It is important to note that, while the initial Bitcoin-mania saw many businesses offer to accept the cryptocurrency easily, that list has steadily dwindled, bringing back skepticism about its use as a medium of exchange. Governments would suffer in addition to the effects of a Bitcoin future on individual consumers and financial institutions.
In some ways, government control over central currencies is important for regulation, but cryptocurrencies would operate with much less government oversight. Governments, for example, couldn't decide how much of a currency to print in response to external and internal pressures. Instead, the creation of new coins or tokens would be dependent on independent mining operations. Regardless of how individual investors feel about the prospect of a switch from traditional cash to cryptocurrencies, the decision is likely out of their hands. Of course, with so much speculation that the cryptocurrency industry could be a bubble destined to burst, it's also possible that predictions of a crypto future are exaggerated. What makes it difficult for investors is that, as with all things crypto-related, changes happen quickly, and predicting them is typically difficult.
If we look at the case of Bitcoin, it was never really adopted for general payment; instead, most people use it as an investment. Bitcoin supporters would always have to argue that the purpose of Bitcoin is not digital cash, but rather a store of value. So, if you've ever purchased or mined Bitcoin, it's unlikely that you'd use it to make purchases.
Bitcoin (BTC) have already abandoned Satoshi Nakamoto's Original Vision - A P2P Electronic Cash System. It is no longer suitable as cash method of payment. Aside from that, the Bitcoin Core developers implemented a new software known as Replace By Fee (RBF) that undoubtedly killed BTC's use case as cash because RBF made it easy for people using Bitcoin to double-spend on Bitcoin network.
Therefore, merchants accepting BTC payments are on a higher risk because an attacker at will could easily double-spend. But this doesn't mean that no merchants would want to accept Bitcoin.
Bitcoin is not backed by anything.
The beauty of Bitcoin: No central party can unilaterally print unlimited money, devaluing its own currency in the trillions this year to combat COVID. Regardless of this point, the only true value of money is the trust that its users place in it.
***Bitcoin is not backed by anything***
This is the most common Bitcoin criticism I hear. While Bitcoin was designed as a peer-to-peer e-cash, it lacks the backing of a government, central bank, or FDIC insurance.
Simply put, the US Dollar is the global reserve currency because it is the most trusted form of currency at the moment. At the end of the day, every dollar is nothing more than a promissory note, or debt, that we rely on the central bank to back. Aside from this promise, there is nothing backing today's fiat dollar other than the paper it is printed on, but we still trust the government's backing of it.
Bitcoin is backed by a similar level of trust, but in a very different way. Bitcoin and its value are primarily supported by two reliable sources: mathematical code and the billions of dollars invested in Bitcoin mining to support and secure the network.
I won't go into detail because the code, application of economic game theory, and mining are all covered in my colleague's Bitcoin facts blog, but combining these effects creates a safe, secure, and trusted store of value, unit of account, and medium of exchange, also known as Money.
Bitcoin enthusiasts will tell you that, like gold, the value of Bitcoin stems from scarcity—computer Bitcoin's algorithm mandates a fixed cap of 21 million digital coins (nearly 19 million have been created so far). It has no intrinsic value and is not supported by anything. Unlike fiat, Bitcoin is a highly trusted form of global money because it is the world's hardest form of money, which means it is impossible for any party to unilaterally print more of it.
https://youtu.be/0_zgAbp1gMM
Bitcoin is a more trusted alternative form of money for millions around the world, backed by the billions spent by decentralized Bitcoin mining groups on operational and capital expenditures to maintain the network.
Bitcoin is Killing The Environment.
It is no secret that mining Bitcoin consumes a significant amount of energy.
According to estimates, Bitcoin mining consumes approximately 66.7 terawatt-hours per year, or 0.21 percent of the world's total energy consumption. This corresponds to approximately the same amount of energy consumption as Switzerland.
As Bitcoin grows in popularity, so do its power requirements. That's a lot of power, and it has to be bad for the environment, right? Not always, of course.
While no one in their right mind would argue that Bitcoin does not have a carbon footprint (we all do), the majority of Bitcoin's mining power is generated from environmentally friendly sources.
More than 74% of Bitcoin mining power is estimated to be generated from renewable sources, and miners are working to become more efficient by relocating to colder climates and leveraging excess, unused capacity.
A recent academic study even discovered that Bitcoin's environmental impact was exaggerated and that it would diminish with more efficient mining equipment, access to more sustainable resources, and miners relocating to cooler climate areas.
While Bitcoin is unlikely to ever be carbon neutral, given the presence of large miners in coal-powered economies such as China, it may represent a viable and carbon-positive alternative.
Many Bitcoin supporters argue that switching from fiat to Bitcoin or digital money is actually beneficial to the environment.
While this may be true in theory and even make sense, Time will tell, but it is undeniable that Bitcoin miners are being incentivized to become more efficient and use sustainable resources in order to maintain healthy profit margins.
"A better BTC....... BCH."
BTC was at groundpace.
virtually abstained from it.
Not until the winds of triumph carried BTC along with the pride and rank it has.
It was at the state of happiness,.
The curvature of opportunity sprang to it's end.
The end was a Mexican standoff.
There evolved the masterpiece.
The crypto, " Mona Lisa ".
Bitcoin cash it is.
For the journey it took was so short.
triumph entrenched in the heart and symbol of global acceptance.
Amassed by the surges of unexpectations and distrustfulness.
Forbehold.........
BCH has risen!
Privacy Coins and its uses?
At the heart of the crypto currency world, the aim is to be self-sovereign individuals who have full control over their finances or assets and true sovereignty can only be achieved by having a high level of privacy, so it is no surprise that the founder of first decentralized crypto currency - Bitcoin - Satoshi Nakamoto decided to remain anonymous for over a decade now.
Crypto currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash have a level of anonymity because Bitcoin, Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash and other crypto currency addresses are not necessarily linked to a name or identity but it is not impossible to identify who a crypto currency address belongs to.
Anyone with an internet connection can view every single transaction made from a specific address and they can see how much money or an asset is stored there.
If you have ever shared your Bitcoin address with someone then they know who that address belongs to and they can actually view the addresses' transactions and its balance, and this is where the problem lies.
By having this information public, you can become a target. People could threaten you or blackmail you whether you have millions or not.
Privacy matters not only for security but for personal reasons as well. And this is where Privacy coins come in.
Privacy coin ensure privacy to a greater extent than your traditional crypto currency. In theory, private money is not new. It has been around for a while and this is known as cash.
Once you withdraw cash from an ATM, there is a record of what you do with the money. There is proof that you withdrew the cash, but after that, your dealings with it can be anonymous. You can actually buy what you need without your purchase being linked an identity. Also, if people pay you for your services in cash, only you yourself know how much cash you are holding.
Privacy coins are a digital version of cash' privacy feature.
Monero (XMR), ZCASH, ZCOIN and DASH are some of the most popular privacy coins in crypto market by market cap and they all work a little differently from one another.
Let's have an easy example for better understanding how these Privacy coins work:
Imagine a footstep on a sandy beach, Monero (XMR) essentially adds more footsteps, so the initial transaction trail is still there but it has added so many footprints that it has become impossible to distinguish between all of them. Monero (XMR) calls these footsteps decoy outputs.
Monero (XMR) also hides the addresses of the sender and the receiver by using what is called stealth addresses.
ZCOIN is a little to Monero (XMR). This project washes away the footsteps so that there are no signs of the initial transaction.
Zcash and Dash both have privacy as an option but privacy is not built in as a default feature the way it is Monero (XMR). With such high levels of anonymity, there are concerns that privacy coins can be banned in the future. But, if we agree that privacy coins really are just a digital version of cash, then we can assume that all the anti-money laundering procedures that are currently in place for cash, would just be used for privacy coins. But then again, privacy was just a by product of cash which at the time of its origin was the only way to transact money. Given the goal of privacy coins is to be just private, we have yet to see how governments take to them once crypto currency mass adoption finally kicks in.
Do privacy coins have a future?
Personally, I do believe that the features mentioned above and these Privacy coins will be one of most used and needed for everyone's security for their finances or assets. With the growth of popularity of crypto currencies in the world, the prone of unnecessary attacks from anonymous individual will also rise and because of that, we would be needing more high level of securities for the safety of our money or assets.
Final say
It is not impossible that these Privacy coins will be seen as the most important feature we can have in the future. We care about our security, and they are there and will be there, all we need is to see their importance and take a look of what they can offer for our finances.
Jump To Success
How ready are you for the jump, right now keep pressing down and pressing hard, the harder the pressure you exert on the ground, the greater your jump force. Its gonna be a ride of a lifetime, its what we've all been praying for. That jump that creates a shift in status quo, brings about a transformation from poor to rich, a jump from wretched to wealthy, its definitely a jump everyone hopes to make. But this jump has more inner work to do, compared to the outside. The main task to making this jump is done in the mind, your mind has to be inclined to the position you are making the shift too already before its really actualize., for instance, your mind should already start thinking like a rich man, who has many companies he's overseeing at the time, and start acting like a boss, while he still hasn't gotten there yet, the mind gets to the destination first, because if you can see it and accept it then you can very much be it.
One good thing about this jump is the fact that it isn't competing with anyone else, although people tend to use someone else as a model to see if they trying better than them or not, but really its no competition. The day your mind gets renewed and you are start forcefully pushing to making your change occur, the you can make the jump and still be on time, so far you're still breathing. No matter the age bracket, anytime you realize, you can make the jump. It our life we are living individually, we've got to stay focused on our lane and task ahead, our motive or looking else where should be to study and learn how we too can make a better jump, not to envy and be unduly depressed, its not needed, who says you are late, so far you can make the jump, enjoy yourself.
Who rings the bell to say hey your time is up, who has the final words over your life, what makes you feel like a loser, who gave them the power to judge, are they certified by your maker to conclude over your life, if you know the right answers to this question, then a larger percent of your worries should be gone, then you'll get up stronger and better, believing more in yourself and pusher harder on greatness. So see things like peer pressure, family pressing, career pressure, all pressured on your peace, they ain't worth it, family pressure can't be overlooked though, they are the things you care most about in this world, but build yourself to order, be sober always as it helps you think well, and you can't proffer if you ain't thinking straight. Thinking straight and focused about self improvement is yet another key to making a great jump, you've got to be deliberate about improving your self. To be brushed up in skill, mind and appearance. Like I said before, you've got to act like where you wanna be, then you can easily attract it to yourself.
You see the next time someone, tries to bullshit your handiwork or your life in general, don't let them get away with it, it can make you start thinking and feeling like you just lost a fight, fight for what you believe in, what makes them better, no need no bad energy, let them stay far away. Nevertheless please listen to their criticism as they would be truthful to you, don't let it weigh you down, rather build on it, you never know, in the quest of making jest and trying you make you go red hot angry, a solution may be proceeding from their mouths, being smart is being able to sieve the needed info and discarding the hazardous info, Don't show weakness but listen.
Get people who hypes your spirit, who makes you feel worthy, they are always around, notice them, draw them closer, be motivated daily, all bad energy filtered away, not necessary for your advancement, keep pushing through the hurdles till you are there, on one owns your affairs its you living the life, take charge. Who rings the finishing bell, who call the shots, you or they? Remember its your life, own it today. Be the boss over your affair and make that jump today.
Hello Everyone, I hope you enjoyed reading this article, as it's geared at making us take full control over our life's affairs. Till I write again, please don't forget to like and subscribe. Comments are welcomed also. Thank y'all, stay loved.
Stress
Take a deep breath in, its okay, breath out, its okay.... Do it again. All you need is a solution. How do you get the solution should be the concern, it could come in various form, might just be in a person, might just be in a way to go by. So all you need is the connectivity to either the person or the way, stay true and hopeful, life's journey should be enjoyed and enjoyed intentionally. It takes a step to effect a change, once you've taken the right step the next result is joy all the way. So its the right step you need to take, find out the right step, the worries doesn't find the right step, your sober mind is what finds the right step. So you need your sanity, try to maintain it.
What's the need for stressing over issues, when in actuality there's little or nothing you can do to better the event, stressing in life that is relatively short and each moment enjoyed is quite unreasonable. There is a wish for everyone and yes, not all situation would go in perfect plan, what then should be done? Get up and device a plan, be silent and strategic, this is a better option. The aim is for the pain to leave, you've got to treat the part in order to ease the pain, you mere looking at the injury doesn't help matters, same goes to stressing, stressing is never a solution, except you seek for peoples attention via facial expression, but even if so,then you aren't really stressing, you are devising a plan to get help. Focus on the remedy than the issue.
Words are powerful, a constant reminder that all will be fine, goes a long way to creating a world of ease around you. This people may argue with, but the spiritualist have been operating with this aura and it has been effective for them, a popular quotes says that life doesn't give you what you desire, rather what you demand, its a task to get what we truly desire and it won't come by worrying and stressing, rather it comes by a constructive and strategic demand, one has got to be intentional about what he or she wants and have the attitude of a goal getting, this way life also play its part by giving in to the demands.
The emerging of the right person also could be the end of the struggle for you. The only thing with this case is the fact that you don't know who truly is the right person, you can only hope or choose if you're between options. The ways situations turns around are very Amazing and your case isn't different, your case can be changed to. Worries doesn't solve much, the sobriety of your mind is the main key factor of getting solution. So think and think it out. Take a deep breath in, say its OK, breath out say again its OK. Now start thinking.
Humans have a habit of dwelling in the thought of the problem, rather than in the thought of the solution while still hoping for a solution, you can wonder when then would the change come about. We must strive for the life we most desire, it doesn't come by pondering rather from matured mindset of finding solution. Put the brain to work and wipe those tears. God has blessed the human mind to proffer solution, in the worst of events, we take after his likeness in calling forth light out of total darkness.
We should do similar. Everything is going to be OK. We must be live happily. We have got to be intentional about pursuing our happiness, a day spent in sadness and undue stress is a wasted day. As each day we get older and very soon we would have but mostly our memory to keep us company, then the question is, have you truly lived how you wanted, do your memory make you smile, or are you stressed out mostly by life's hurdles. Say no to unwanted stress and be intentional in your pursuit for joy, money and peace of mind.
@tigerbear
