@Hoi ...."if you don't hold your private-key, it's not your Bitcoin! Simple as that." Seems a little simplistic and fragile for a medium that is supposed to be a everlasting game changer.[/QUOTE]
Game changer: yes. But we are also just starting, like the Internet in 1995 wasn't very user-friendly as well. Until Decentralized-Exchanges (p2p) are common practice, you should be very careful with Centralized-exchanges: don't keep your crypto currencies longer on those than needed.
@Hoi..should I keep a sticky note on my lap top with my private-key ? Seriously, your response is the reason enough why it is not a valid currency, maybe a speculative vehicle, but even as such it is lacking. I can create a trade with as much upside potential while controlling my downside. But that's just the way I trade/invest, others do not care about the risk parameters of a given vehicle.
I'm not in the camp of "Bitcoin is a currency" (at least not for now). Yes you can use it to buy a cup of coffee... but seriously? that's not convenient at all. No! I'm in the camp of "Bitcoin is gold". That depends of how much Bitcoins you have. Is it substantial you SHOULD buy a Trezor or Ledger, and then you can walk around with your Mobile (mycelium App) or laptop. If you have just some coffee money, then a Mobile without a Trezor is enough.
Hmmmmmmmm!!! Banks are staying away from bitcoin 'bubble' due to money laundering, Credit Suisse CEO says Banks are reluctant to get involved with bitcoin due to fears of a bubble and illicit activity associated with it, Tidjane Thiam said Thursday The banking executive's comments came as the digital currency surpassed $7,000 for the first time ING CFO Koos Timmermans also weighed in on cryptocurrencies, saying that the bank is not recommending clients to invest in digital assets
Governments and banks (same difference actually) are the status quo. Obey, obey, obey. And as if the dollar* has never been counterfeited. And never used for illegal activity. And that hasn't lost 97% in value over the last 100 years. Stay with them pulleze. Can't wait for CME BTC contract. * (or euro or pound or yen or ... or ... or ...)
No. I could care less. I let others worry about what others are doing. You care only when BTC users steal and oh that the nanny state is there to wipe your ass.