That's all good, but to consider it currency isn't popular around these parts. It's a digital good, used for bartering in the online multinational community aware of it.
Seeing that it has no inherent value, is called a coin and facilitates [acts as a medium] for an exchange of valued goods.... it might as well be called a currency. It might be best to call it that in order to show confidence in it as an effective means for carrying value.
I think the general fear of calling it a "currency" is a subtle skepticism that there is something illegal wiht it. That perhaps, the government(s) might not like it. I think the truth is that international banking systems (the central banks) are it's real haters. It could threaten their profits. As for governments, as long as you report any profits, I think that is what they want to know so they can tax you for your labor (another topic).
So, answer this, can you or anyone in this forum say from what country bitcoins are denominated or generated? Which nation regulates it? I doubt that the origin of the idea matters considering it's current condition. And if you consider that it is international, then how would it be much different than trading in Euro's by Americans...or trading with the Yen by Brits... sending money to a bank in Kuiwait and converting it into Dinars?? An example with my brokerage account, I can convert my dollars to euros...and spend them on European goods(stocks)...which become my property. Did I commit a crime? Even more, I've read of American businesses that take Euro's... What punishment shall be given to them? Assuming they convert them to dollars after a purchase and report any profits to the government.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/02/06/us-newyork-euros-idUSN0655798320080206http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2760227Call it an asset for bartering is fine...like bsaeball cards... But I think to garner more widespread acceptance or credibility, it needs to be treated more like a currency. It has a long ways to go, but going by the trading levels and increasing hashing... seems like the sails are opening up and catching some wind. I'm not going to throw all the eggs in the basket. It's probably best to stay cautiously optimistic, as seems like something that's good that can come out of the Internet.