Now is the time when people typically start assessing what the year ahead is likely to bring for various topics and industries. Bitcoin is no different. Investors and enthusiasts will likely notice several Bitcoin trends becoming prominent. Here are four of them to look out for.
1. BITCOIN-COMPATIBLE ATMS BECOME WIDELY AVAILABLE
Reports indicate 2019 will be the year that Bitcoin ATMs take off in cities across the United States. Chicago recently got 30 new machines, bringing the city’s total to nearly 100, with Philadelphia having approximately the same amount.
Those ATMs are solely for dispensing bitcoin, but there are traditional ATMs in New York that give this currency to users. Interested persons create accounts with LibertyX, a bitcoin payment provider. After passing the approval process, they can purchase up to $3,000 worth of bitcoin per day using their debit cards at ATMs.
These ATMs could encourage people to start using bitcoin for the first time or start dealing with the cryptocurrency more extensively than before. Individuals are accustomed to using ATMs to serve their financial needs, so it’s not a big step for them to get bitcoins from ATMs too.
2. MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM CENTRAL BANKS WITH BITCOIN AND OTHER CRYPTOCURRENCIES
One of the things people typically love about bitcoin is that they can use it without having bank accounts. However, in 2019, one of the bitcoin trends that may become apparent is that central banks start supporting cryptocurrencies by supplementing their gold reserves with them.
During a presentation at the first bitcoin summit in Israel, bitcoin pioneer Nick Szabo outlined the reasons why he predicts more countries will begin using cryptocurrencies, especially in places that are subject to extreme conflict or financial mismanagement. He also believes central banks will start to supplement their gold reserves with cryptocurrencies.
Szabo explained: “There’s going to be some situations where a central bank can’t trust a foreign central bank or government with their bonds, for example. One solution that’s been developed is to have the Swiss government hold it for you – that’s not a trust-minimized solution. The Swiss government itself is subject to political pressures, and so a more trust-minimized solution is cryptocurrency.”
In 2018, Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), also expressed why central banks should issue cryptocurrencies. This trend may not reach full-scale adoption in 2019, but it’ll become evident that central banks shouldn’t shy away from bitcoin or the crypto industry at large.
Just this week, JPMorgan announced its own ‘cryptocurrency’ dubbed JPM Coin to much criticism.
3. A PUSH TOWARD MORE BITCOIN-CENTRIC TOURISM
In May 2013, someone spent 10,000 BTC on pizza, but a more recent trend is an increase in companies and localities encouraging tourists to spend Bitcoins when they travel. In March 2018, Germany’s tourism board began accepting Bitcoin for its services.
More recently, an Australian beach town in Central Queensland became the first digital currency-friendly tourist town.
When people travel to different countries, one of the first things they typically have to do is visit currency exchanges. If this trend continues, people could do away with that necessity and travel solely with Bitcoin. Doing that requires planning, but it could end up being convenient for travelers who don’t want to deal with traditional money when they’re away from home.
4. AN INCREASE IN SMARTPHONES THAT STORE BITCOIN
A look at the plans for future devices made by tech brands indicates there’s a push for smartphones with integrated wallets that store bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In late 2018, HTC announced the Exodus 1, which is a blockchain-focused phone with a wallet. People could only buy the phone with cryptocurrencies.
Rumours are also swirling that the Samsung Galaxy S10 will have a crypto software wallet via a trademarked invention called the Samsung Blockchain KeyStore.
Continue Reading
You may also like
A bitcoin price indicator is about to turn bullish for the first time since the early stages of the 2016-17 bull market.
The 50-candle moving average (MA) on bitcoin’s three-day chart is in a solid upward trajectory and looks set to cross above the 200-candle MA in the next few days.
That would be the first golden crossover on the three-day chart since early February 2016. CoinDesk reported on a golden cross for bitcoin’s daily chart back in April.
Seasoned traders often refer to that long-term bull market signal as a lagging indicator. After all, the MA studies are based on historical data and tend to lag prices, which also means they have limited predictive abilities at best.
While that is true for most crossovers, the one that is about to happen on the three-day chart has proved its mettle as a reliable bull market indicator in the past.
3 day chart (2016-2017)
Garrick Hileman, head of research at Blockchain, explains what’s behind the cryptocurrency’s near-200% year-to-date rally (watch the interview above)
Dr Garrick Hileman is head of research at Blockchain and research associate at the London School of Economics
Garrick is best known for his research on monetary and distributed systems innovation, particularly cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
Hileman Garrick was ranked as one of the 100 most influential economists in the UK & Ireland. He is regularly invited to speak and share his research and perspective with public sector institutions, including the CIA, US Army and Naval War Colleges, Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Bank of International Settlements, and the Financial Stability Board, as well as media, including the BBC, CNBC, FT, WSJ, and NPR.
@garrickhileman welcome to City AM’s UK & Ireland economists top 100, you’re in at #34. http://t.co/E6j1yYdT9o
— City A.M. (@CityAM) July 31, 2015
The price of bitcoin has broken above $10,000 (£7,855) for the first time since March 2018, as the cryptocurrency’s remarkable surge in value continues.
Bitcoin passed the milestone after experiencing gains of more than 10 per cent over the last 24 hours.
The price jump saw the world’s largest cryptocurrency reach as high as $10,831, according to the CoinMarketCap price index, taking its overall market capitalisation close to $200 billion.
Bitcoin’s most recent run of good form began in early February, when it was trading at well below $4,000.
It had reached this price after more than a year of steady declines saw its price withdraw dramatically from its late 2017 peak of close to $20,000.
Bitcoin’s recent run has drawn comparisons from some with bitcoin’s run in 2017, with some hoping it can go beyond its previous record high.
“This really is amazing,” one crypto enthusiast wrote on Twitter. “It has 2017 written…
Paris, 30th of May 2019. French brand Satoshi Studio announces the launch of their first sneakers. The Satoshi_one is the first pair of shoes certified on the Ethereum blockchain. More high-end products will come from Satoshi Studio thanks to their innovative financing campaigns.
Satoshi Studio was founded in 2018. The Parisian brand is influenced by the Tech industry and Crypto culture. It aims to create a place for itself as a reasonably priced high-end brand. To reach that goal, it will not use traditional channels of communication, striving instead to connect directly with its young and tech-focused community.
To be able to regularly offer new products and avoid traditional seasonality, the brand will launch several crowdfunding campaigns per year. Satoshi Studio believes in responsible shopping habits: they will only produce the right amount, no more, no less. The sneakers will be offered at a reasonable price, without compromising on quality.
Authors Name
Lucas Goldlust
Company Name
Satoshi Studio
Bitcoin is ballooning to new highs… but can it last?
Compound interest might be the most powerful force in the universe, but FOMO can’t be far behind, especially as it relates to bitcoin.
We’ve seen the “fear of missing out” contribute to a nosebleed rise in the price of bitcoin BTCUSD, before, and Fundstrat’s Thomas Lee believes we’re about to see it play out again — but even more pronounced.
The outspoken bitcoin backer told clients this week the world’s top cryptocurrency could ride a wave of FOMO all the way up to $40,000 “within a few months,” thanks to better transparency and a breach of the psychological $10,000 barrier.
He pointed to Grayscale Bitcoin Trust GBTC, as a great way to partake in a rally that would be most welcomed by the crypto bulls who had to suffer through a 74% drop in the price of bitcoin last year.
“Bottom line: Crypto winter looks over,” Lee said….
View
- Bitcoin’s 50- and 100-candle moving averages on the three-day chart look set to produce a bullish crossover – a sign of bull market momentum. Back in October 2015, the same cross marked the start of a long-term bull market.
- This time, BTC has already rallied more than 180 percent ahead of the bull cross. As a result, we may not see a big move to the higher side immediately following the confirmation of the bull cross.
- Prices could rise to $8,400 in the next 24 hours, having witnessed a bearish channel breakout on Wednesday. A break below key 4-hour chart support at $7,910 would weaken the case for a rise to $8,400.
A long-term bitcoin (BTC) price indicator is about to turn bullish for the first time in nearly four years.
The 50-candle moving average (MA) on the three-day chart is trending north and could soon cross above the 100-candle,…
