> [...] "Satoshi Nakamoto", its mysterious inventor, may have democratised finance – much as open internet protocols have democratised communication. [...]<p>This comparison is so erroneous that it's embarrassing. Too bad it's from NewScientist, I had much respect for the magazine. Now every time I'll read a NS article I'll think along the lines: <i>who knows, they might got this one wrong too</i>.
<i>.."Satoshi Nakamoto", its mysterious inventor, may have democratised finance – much as open internet protocols have democratised communication.</i><p>But what about "turning off" the world wide web so to speak? I'm sure if governments really believe bitcoin is a threat to their currency, they will do whatever it takes to essentially shut it down. If it cannot be digitally traded on the internet, then that value of bitcoin is lost.
The one thing that bothers me the most about bitcoin is it's similarity to a ponzi scheme. Get in early, mine the low-hanging fruit, wait for the exchange rate to spike, and you're set for life! If you were to buy in right this moment, what would be the benefit?