Bitcoin: Advantages and Disadvantages

This page explores the pros and cons of Bitcoin, covering its benefits, drawbacks, and basics, including how it works.

What is Bitcoin?

Introduction: Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency or digital currency where transactions occur without a central authority like banks. This eliminates transaction fees and the need for real names during transactions.

As of December 11, 2017, 1 Bitcoin was valued at $16,120.00 USD. The Bitcoin system was invented in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto.

Bitcoin system

How Bitcoin Works?

• Bitcoin operates as a peer-to-peer system, removing the need for a central authority. The creation of money and transactions are managed collectively by the network.
• Bitcoins are stored in a digital wallet, existing either in the cloud or on a user’s computer. This wallet acts as a virtual bank account, allowing users to send, receive, and save bitcoins, or pay for goods.
• Users can buy or sell bitcoins using different currencies at “bitcoin exchanges” or through companies that deal with bitcoins.

Benefits or Advantages of Bitcoin

Here are the advantages of using Bitcoin:

• No third party can control or prevent transactions between the sender and receiver.
• Transaction fees for buying and selling bitcoins are significantly lower.
• There’s no limit on the amount of Bitcoin that can be transferred daily for sending and receiving.
• Bitcoin is free software.
• There’s no inflation risk, as the coin’s creation is limited.
• The market capitalization of this cryptocurrency is larger compared to the currencies of Qatar, Kuwait, and Hungary.
• Bitcoins can be used to buy merchandise anonymously, and many merchants accept it.
• International payments are easy and cheap through Bitcoin transactions since they are not tied to any country or subject to regulation.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of Bitcoin

Here are the disadvantages of using Bitcoin:

• Bitcoins are not widely accepted everywhere.
• It’s not in physical form, unlike traditional currency.
• Transactions are irreversible.
• Bitcoin valuation fluctuates.
• It’s built-in deflation as the maximum number of bitcoins is fixed at 21 million.
• It’s difficult to associate Bitcoin addresses with real-life identities, which can encourage illegal activities.
• It’s prone to hacking and malware attacks, leading to potential losses due to hacking, password loss, compromised access credentials, or malware attacks.
• Bitcoin technology requires users to be skilled in internet-related software/applications to avoid mistakes while using it.
• There’s no established framework to address customer problems, disputes, or chargebacks.