Author Archives: John

Other Cryptocurrencies

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Since the success of bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies have emerged. In 2014, these were the big contenders in the cryptocurrency world – PeerCoin aka PPCoin, Litecoin, Freicoin, and Dogecoin. At the end of 2017, these are the top five contenders, according to one source. 1. Litecoin (LTC). Launched 2011. 2. Ethereum (ETH). Launched 2015. 3. Zcash (ZEC). Launched 2016. 4. Dash (used to be Darkcoin). Launched 2014. 5. Ripple (XRP). Launched 2012. Looking at what these currencies are worth in November […]

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The Cryptographic Protocol

A protocol is a set of rules. It describes the proper protocol for certain actions and behaviors. David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada, broke protocol when he touched Queen Elizabeth II on the steps of Canada House on Trafalgar Square in London. The Queen was 91 years old at the time and the Governor General touched her arm to protect her from falling on the steps. It is protocol to not touch a member of Britain’s royal family. There are protocols to most things in our […]

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Fiat Money Explained

Fiat money is money that a government declares is legal tender. Fiat refers to the government order. It’s from the Latin, like so many of our legal words, and it means “let it be done.” The government looks at the notion that paper bills can be legal tender, and says, “let it be done.” Gold-backed money, also known as hard currency, is money that can be converted to actual gold. It used to be this way. Your dollar was as good as gold. On August 15, 1971, […]

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Should You Invest in Bitcoin?

People are looking for a good and fast way to grow their money. Bitcoin seems to be the answer to the big question, where should you invest? The cautious among us tend to be skeptical. Bitcoin is a digital currency. You cannot carry it around in a bag or store it in your safe. You cannot run your fingers through a pile of bitcoins on your bed. If you stop and think about it, most of us don’t do that with cash. A paycheck is electronically deposited […]

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Can You Get Free Bitcoins?

If you do a search for free bitcoins, you will be deluged with great offers to earn bitcoin by visiting websites or playing online games. There are suggestions that you start mining. After all, everyone knows that miners get great payouts. First of all, most of the places that recommend joining sites where you earn bitcoins for watching videos, visiting websites, or any of the usual online low-paying schemes pay in satoshis. What is a satoshi? It’s the smallest unit of bitcoin that gets to be recorded […]

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