First, a quick market watch! The historic upswing in crypto recently has provided buying opportunities. Many cryptocurrencies have doubled in value over the past month. I hope your portfolio (if you have one) is happy. Now, onto this week’s article.
A few days ago, Elon Musk said, “All currencies, including digital currencies, will be backed by computer processes by 2030.” Now, that’s a thought worth considering.
This means that digital currencies will transition from their current state as independent entities to being fortified by robust computer algorithms and protocols. Don’t ask me about the technical details, but…
The transition towards computer-backed currencies will have a profound impact on users and society as a whole. One potential effect will be the democratization of finance. With digital currencies becoming more stable and secure, individuals in underserved regions and marginalized communities will have greater opportunities to participate in the global economy. This can lead to reduced poverty, improved socioeconomic mobility, and increased financial inclusion worldwide. If I continue on the positive track, I can argue that these advancements will transform industries such as banking, supply chain management, and asset ownership, leading to improved efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for businesses and individuals. Basically, the strengths of blockchain technology will be fully harnessed.
However, what also comes to mind in this development are challenges related to privacy and power concentration. To put it simply, if all money will be controlled by computer processes, we will miss the days of cash. We will dream of being able to spend our money without the control of some computer algorithm. Your money should be your money. There’s a dystopian saying that is relevant here: “You will own nothing and be happy.” Except I do not think that computer control will make us happy.
On a societal level, finding the right balance between the benefits of computer-backed digital currencies and concerns around privacy and power concentration involves transparent regulations, privacy protection, decentralization, user empowerment, and international collaboration.
How do we deal with this?
Considering the all-in approach on the business of the future that Elon Musk has, I do value his thoughts. Betting on the needs of the future is wise. I believe assets that maximize decentralization and minimize government control will be valuable. The most probable crypto assets today that fit the criteria and will be alive in 2030 are Bitcoin and Ethereum, and perhaps Cardano. Bitcoin is probably the safest. But, hey, it’s a guess and not financial advice.