Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies – what digital money really means for our future https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/29/cryptocurrencies-bitcoin-blockchain-what-they-really-mean-for-our-future The advancement in technology has allowed bitcoin to reach uncharted territory in the world of finance. It has allowed people to approach purchasing items in a whole new way. The rate in which people are using bitcoin is constantly growing; the new way of transactions has allowed a prosperous future to develop. A lot of the quirks of the currency come down to the collective agreement about what constitutes “legitimacy”. For instance, since the first bitcoin was created in 2009, the total number in existence has been growing slowly, at a declining rate, ensuring that at some point around 2140, the 21 millionth bitcoin will be mined, and no more will ever be created. The real question is why one bitcoin is worth $11,000 (and why Ethereum is worth $1,040, and why ...