you can go to btc-e.com and look around at some others. I would just stick with BTC though, but anything is possible.
What would happen if Google or WalMart made EXACTLY the same thing as Bitcoins? Billions will probably be made on virtual currencies. The incorrect thinking right now, is that Google couldn't create this. If anonymity is key, then Google won't record your user information just like Bitcoins doesn't. And they'll make it decentralized too, if that's needed. Google has had DOZENS of projects that haven't made a penny in profit. They could create Googlecoins as a loss leader just to get the advertising benefits of people saying "Googlecoins" 2 million times a day. Walmartcoins?
Amazon is already toying with the idea: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...oins-highlight-tradeoffs-of-virtual-currency/ Generally competition isn't that good for currencies. If I were hoping for a 10 fold return, I would buy Litecoins. Now here is an interesting trading related question: Let's say you are a whale and sitting on 10K BTC. When do you sell? A few months ago the value was still just a nice to have, but now we are talking about real wealth. Also, you should know that the system could collapse pretty much anytime, so how long do you keep it? Do you sell it all at once, or in smaller chunks?
No established public company is going to use an virtual currency that is prone to money laundering concerns.
And what is to be gained by using walmartcoins or googlecoins instead of the dollar? Isn't that just taking on unnecessary credit risk? (that is, you need to be sure that walmart and google must continue to be in business IN ADDITION to the us govt still in business). Bitcoins == tulips (because bitcoin's prime number pairs in themselves are desired by exactly no one).
The unbeatable Bitcoin today: What is a 20% loss in value in a few hours between friends? Edit: Since I posted, it has bounced back to $86....
I dunno. I'm sorta liking the idea. Haven't done a lot of research, but the Fed's can't shut it down. It's P2P. USD cash is used prolifically in the drug trade. HSBC has been fined twice now for laundering over a billion for Mexican drug cartels. Don't see the DOJ shutting down the US dollar or going after the US treasury for minting a currency, used to "launder money". Let alone HSBC. Anyway, interesting to watch. We need competing currencies. The whole idea of tying this or that currency to pedophiles and criminal types is pure jokes. USD's are the currency of choice for every criminal enterprise. Total hypocrisy.
That seems to be well thought out. BTC can be used for good and evil, just like other things, or the internet in general. I see the gov having a very hard time stopping BTC. If you are thinking about getting in, do so with a plan - not that anyone should have to tell you to do that. Just remember to keep the coins in your possession only.
I might if there's another crash. Physical bullion is enough for me, although I like the idea that BTC is electronic - easily transferable. I don't know if it's truly anonymous though. That part I don't like. But hey.
It will be almost impossible to track if you send coins to many separate addresses, but you can keep them all contained in one wallet. Or just use a paper wallet. It really doesn't track your IP, it just tracks the IP of the node it was relayed off of IIRC. To tell you the truth, I do not have a professional grasp on this exact subject, but I would say I am not far off.