I read most of the thread Jr65 started with the inflammatory subject and decided to plagiarize it. I will not post a single block of text but apologies in advance for grammar and typos.
Bitcoin was intended to be decentralized and peer-to-peer.
- Mining is no longer decentralized or peer-to-peer. Individuals for the most part are done. From here on in it will consolidate more and more with fewer and fewer players backed by big investors (Private Equity, Hedge funds, Banks)
- Scalability of bitcoin seems dubious and there does not appear to be a robust development plan to re-architect fundamental issues with the protocol. Just patches and fixes. Blockchain is currently 16.5 GB in size and will easily be 50 GB within a year. http://stormcloudsgathering.com/bitcoin-what-youre-not-being-told
- Businesses are uneasy about adopting bitcoin because it is too unpredictable and unstable. May go up or down hundreds of dollars in a moments notice.
- Over the past 6 months Ive noticed very tight computer driven arbitrage happening between Bitstamp, BTC-e, and Huobi. The total market cap and daily volume is nowhere near big enough to resist manipulation. Since its not government backed or regulated, well the best of the best are free to manipulate it as much as possible. I can only imagine how the different camps manipulating it are battling it out.
- Russia, China, and other corrupt authoritarian/totalitarian governments will likely stifle anything that challenges their control of banking and the flow of money within their countries. Only those in the inner circle are allowed to launder...
- There are 650,000 stolen bitcoins out there that are likely being sold off on a regular basis providing steady downward pressure.
Bitcoin end is nigh
Disclosure, I completely got out of bitcoin back in January. Dont plan to re-enter. Providing my perspective for others to consider. Im sure long term holders will say good riddance, more cheap coins for us, and HODL! Id encourage anyone who is digging in harder and harder to really step back and take stock of the overall situation.
I got in because I loved the concept of bitcoin and recognized the inevitability of it. A digital nongovernmental peer-to-peer currency will happen. I just dont think bitcoin will be it. Many have pointed out its likely to be a footnote like Napster is to music distribution. I agree.