If you could only invest in one, I'd say gold. As much as I love Bitcoin, its a technology in its infancy, theres no telling if its going to last long term. I think your chances of having a high return are greater with Bitcoin, however you are pretty much guarenteed at the very least some return on gold. Gold has been currency/an asset for 5,000 years. Bitcoin has been for 6 years.
If its not a one or the other choice, why not invest in both?
If its not a one or the other choice, why not invest in both?
The context is a recommendation for a third world impoverished person. I may agree with you if you own a safe or safety deposit box but where is a local artisan or farmer going to secure their gold coins? Many don't own bank accounts , they can't afford safety deposit boxes, petty theft is rampant and they have very little privacy with living in tightly crowded pueblos and apartments with many family members(some of which are drug addicts and/or thieves)
So you do not believe that Gold will become less valuable in hmmmm maybe 15 years time?
Do you think it will be as valuable as Bitcoin? Or much lesser in value as Bitcoin?
Do you think it will be as valuable as Bitcoin? Or much lesser in value as Bitcoin?
Gold is a safer store of value than bitcoin but won't go up much in value. From an investment perspective bitcoin is riskier but will likely have much greater returns. Either way an average person in a third world country cannot properly secure the gold and thus recommending it isn't a good idea.
There are a lot of assumptions in general. Would one be able to secure reliable internet in a third world country, would one be able to secure a computer in a third world country, does the person have a disposable income, ie if they lost their investment would it be castrophic or just inconvient. A little bit of ingenuity and one could secure a physical asset. I think there are a lot more assumptions required in order for that person to be able to obtain Bitcoins in the first place.
All of that asside however is where my first response comes in. Gold is an assured store of wealth. Bitcoin may have more potential, but its not assured. So, assuming the person in the 3rd world country A. had the money to spare to buy Bitcoins, B. Had the proper means to obtain the Bitcoins (owning a computer and internet) C. would not be devestated if their Bitcoins became obsolete, lost all value, or became unusuable, I'd say go with Bitcoins. Else, I'd say go with Gold. (Actually Silver is an even better investment) but thats not the question, so I'd say in this particular situation, go with gold.
*edit*
You might be interested in this topic: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=979599.0
The same question, a lot more opinions
I would choose Bitcoin because it has a chance of tripling or quadrupling in value. Gold will probably never even double.
The same question, a lot more opinions
I would choose Bitcoin because it has a chance of tripling or quadrupling in value. Gold will probably never even double.
Do you know anything about gold's historical price? It was under $300 per oz in 2002. It hit $1800 per oz a few years ago, and has been around $1200-1300 per oz recently. It has doubled in value in a single year.
