If an attempt is made to regulate cryptocurrencies themselves (ie: the "proof of work" type transmission/public ledger systems upon which all cryptocurrencies are based) in addition to the financial services atop them, it will simply drive more of the economy underground.
The main problem with the exchanges is that they are prone to centralization via the network effect. That's what made MtGox dominant and such a juicy target for underworld agencies -- including clandestine "sovereign" agencies. What I expect to happen next is a new cryptocurrency protocol will be put in place that distributes the network effect along with the underlying cryptocurrency protocol. At that point it is going to be impossible to regulate without driving ever more of the cyber economy underground and expanding the black markets. On Sat, Mar 1, 2014 at 2:07 PM, Lennart Thornros <lenn...@thornros.com>wrote: > Jed, I think you nailed it. However, I should like to add that the way our > government handles our dollars (or Euros or . . ) gives incentive for the > Bitcoin type ventures. > Examples are obvious but bail outs of too large to fail, inflation not > counting food, etc. etc. > Just like the French revolution it was a legitimate protest just the means > were less than smart and the negative infliction of the revolution was > causing as much harm as the problem it set out to solve. > I think we are at the same junction. A growing irritation over > manipulation by those set to protect us. Government does not see there > first task to protect the people, they see themselves as protector of the > society - status quo. (as did Louis once upon a time) > I think that a smart government should support building of a bitcoin > venture and provide the expertise required then they probably would support > LENR as well.:) > > Best Regards , > Lennart Thornros > > www.StrategicLeadershipSac.com > lenn...@thornros.com > +1 916 436 1899 > 6140 Horseshoe Bar Road Suite G, Loomis CA 95650 > > "Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a > commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort." PJM > > > On Sat, Mar 1, 2014 at 11:27 AM, Jed Rothwell <jedrothw...@gmail.com>wrote: > >> The Forbes article concludes: >> >> *The Bottom Line* >> >> Mt. Gox is an exchange created in the early days of Bitcoin that is run >> by inexperienced management. Its likely insolvency and seemingly imminent >> demise is something that has been long expected by many in the community, >> and while it is quite a tarnish on the industry to have the once largest >> exchange go under, Mt. Gox's demise does not point to the failure of >> Bitcoin, and the rest of the industry is eager to move past the Mt. Gox >> debacle. >> >> *Disclosure: The author owns some Bitcoin. . . .* >> >> This is the largest bank robbery in history. Countless people must have >> lost fortunes, perhaps their life savings. These people expect they can >> "move past" this event? That's crazy. Bank regulators and police >> investigators in Japan, the U.S. and all other countries are going to be >> all over these people from now on. There will be legislative investigations >> and new laws regulating them. >> >> I see the arrogance of youth at play here. Naivete mixed with know-it-all >> bravado. Mark Karpeles is in his 20s. He reminds me of young people in the >> 1960s who were out to remake the world. Wordsworth described such people in >> his poem about the French Revolution: >> >> Oh! pleasant exercise of hope and joy! >> For mighty were the auxiliars which then stood >> Upon our side, we who were strong in love! >> Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, >> But to be young was very heaven!--Oh! times, >> In which the meagre, stale, forbidding ways >> Of custom, law, and statute, took at once >> The attraction of a country in romance! . . . >> >> Libertarians are, at heart, romantics. Especially the Ayn Rand ones who >> imagine themselves lone heros transcending their era and society, beyond >> the rules. They wanted money that was not controlled by governments. They >> wanted money that cannot be tracked or accounted for. They got it. They did >> not realize that you need governments to protect you against criminals and >> hackers. However imperfect this protection is, it beats no protection at >> all. Japanese government officials have already washed their hands of this, >> saying, "these people wanted a totally unregulated system with no >> government oversight, so we have no plans to reimburse anyone for their >> losses." I am confident they will put in place regulations. The Wild West >> days are over. >> >> Be careful what you wish for. >> >> - Jed >> >> >
