The Bitcoin story has some interesting plot twists
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, cryptocurrencies – especially Bitcoin – are producing some interesting discussion for investors right now.
Along with the fluctuations we have seen recently, not least from the differing opinions of some high-profile finance industry figures; two stories circulating over the weekend add to the ever-unfolding story.
Firstly, Amazon.
Rumours are circulating (not for the first time) that the e-commerce behemoth is planning to begin accepting Bitcoin as payment on its site.
Although this has not been substantiated, even the possibility of Bitcoin payment launching on Amazon has got the market fired-up as it would likely prompt other online retailers to follow suit.
China is also a factor in the Bitcoin surge seen late last week (as of 5.30am ET one Bitcoin = U$5,594, down from close to $6k Friday). The Chinese government appears to softening its anti-crypto stance, although China only accounts for around 1% of global dealings.
Then there’s news that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange claims the whistle-blowing website has seen a huge return on its investment in Bitcoin.
The exiled Assange says that after payment companies like Visa and MasterCard refused to accept payments to the site, Wikileaks invested in Bitcoin and accepted payments in the currency.
On Twitter over the weekend, he thanked the US government for forcing payment firms into an “illegal banking blockade” against Wikileaks, leading to the Bitcoin investment that he says has seen a 50,000% return since 2010.
Along with the fluctuations we have seen recently, not least from the differing opinions of some high-profile finance industry figures; two stories circulating over the weekend add to the ever-unfolding story.
Firstly, Amazon.
Rumours are circulating (not for the first time) that the e-commerce behemoth is planning to begin accepting Bitcoin as payment on its site.
Although this has not been substantiated, even the possibility of Bitcoin payment launching on Amazon has got the market fired-up as it would likely prompt other online retailers to follow suit.
China is also a factor in the Bitcoin surge seen late last week (as of 5.30am ET one Bitcoin = U$5,594, down from close to $6k Friday). The Chinese government appears to softening its anti-crypto stance, although China only accounts for around 1% of global dealings.
Then there’s news that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange claims the whistle-blowing website has seen a huge return on its investment in Bitcoin.
The exiled Assange says that after payment companies like Visa and MasterCard refused to accept payments to the site, Wikileaks invested in Bitcoin and accepted payments in the currency.
On Twitter over the weekend, he thanked the US government for forcing payment firms into an “illegal banking blockade” against Wikileaks, leading to the Bitcoin investment that he says has seen a 50,000% return since 2010.
My deepest thanks to the US government, Senator McCain and Senator Lieberman for pushing Visa, MasterCard, Payal, AmEx, Mooneybookers, et al, into erecting an illegal banking blockade against @WikiLeaks starting in 2010. It caused us to invest in Bitcoin -- with > 50000% return. pic.twitter.com/9i8D69yxLC
— Julian Assange 🔹 (@JulianAssange) October 14, 2017
