"Real" currency? Physical, no. It is digital. It qualifies as a form of money, being as a record with an accepted value for goods / services / exchange since there are bitcoin stores for physical goods / services and there is demand in exchange for other currencies.
Bitcoins are decentralized, you are at the mercy of the international market, which is true of all currencies.
Bitcoins are not fiat money. Governments cannot create it. There is no single 'owner' that can inflate your currency at their whim. There is a set known limit and the supply side is predictable.
I differ in perspective only in the slightest. I believe digital currency and electronic records is the way of today, and bitcoins are only another aspect of it. While people do use paper checks, paper money and physical coins, the majority of transactions are electronic. I see credit cards for purchases, and direct deposit for salaries/wages. All sorts of banking and investment done electronically. Our money is already electronic and banks only keep a small percentage in cash for their accounts.
I believe we already have digital money. Bitcoins are only another expression of it.
Bitcoins are decentralized, you are at the mercy of the international market, which is true of all currencies.
Bitcoins are not fiat money. Governments cannot create it. There is no single 'owner' that can inflate your currency at their whim. There is a set known limit and the supply side is predictable.
I differ in perspective only in the slightest. I believe digital currency and electronic records is the way of today, and bitcoins are only another aspect of it. While people do use paper checks, paper money and physical coins, the majority of transactions are electronic. I see credit cards for purchases, and direct deposit for salaries/wages. All sorts of banking and investment done electronically. Our money is already electronic and banks only keep a small percentage in cash for their accounts.
I believe we already have digital money. Bitcoins are only another expression of it.