Introduction
As of late, Bitcoin’s price has been on a tear, climbing to new all-time highs almost daily. This has led to increased interest in digital currency, both from investors and consumers alike.
While Bitcoin is still far from being mainstream, its adoption is growing every day. In some countries, such as Japan and South Korea, Bitcoin is already becoming quite popular. In others, such as China, government restrictions have prevented its use from spreading too far. You can also visit quantum-ai.io for gaining proper knowledge about bitcoin trading.
Bitcoin Progress Worldwide
Regardless of where you stand on Bitcoin, there’s no denying that it’s having a significant impact on the world economy. Here are a few ways that Bitcoin is making progress worldwide.
More businesses are accepting Bitcoin payments
One of the biggest barriers to Bitcoin’s mainstream adoption has been its lack of acceptance by businesses. However, this is slowly changing.
More and more businesses are beginning to accept Bitcoin payments, including major retailers like Overstock and Newegg. This is a big deal because it makes it much easier for people to spend their Bitcoin.
More countries are recognizing Bitcoin as a legal currency
Another barrier to Bitcoin’s adoption has been its legal status. In many countries, Bitcoin is still considered to be an unregulated asset. However, this is slowly changing as well.
Recently, the Japanese government recognized Bitcoin as a legal currency. This is a huge deal because it gives legitimacy to digital currencies and makes them more appealing to both businesses and consumers.
Bitcoin is becoming more stable
One of the biggest concerns about Bitcoin has been its volatility. However, this is slowly changing as well.
As Bitcoin’s price continues to rise, it becomes less volatile. This makes it more appealing to businesses and consumers who are looking for a stable form of payment.
Bitcoin is becoming more accessible
Another big barrier to Bitcoin’s adoption has been its lack of accessibility. However, this is also changing.
There are now many different ways to buy and sell Bitcoin, including ATMs, online exchanges, and even peer-to-peer marketplaces. This makes it much easier for people to get involved with digital currencies.
Bitcoin’s Role in Nigeria
Bitcoin is playing an increasingly important role in Nigeria. The country has a large and growing population of unbanked people, making it an ideal market for Bitcoin adoption. Moreover, the unstable economic situation in Nigeria makes Bitcoin’s decentralized nature and its ability to be used as a store of value appealing to many Nigerians.
Nigeria has already seen some success with Bitcoin adoption. LocalBitcoins, a popular peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange, reported that trading volume in Nigeria grew by 400% in 2016. This was likely due to the economic situation in the country, which saw inflation reach double digits and the value of the Nigerian naira declined sharply against major currencies.
The use of Bitcoin is also growing among businesses in Nigeria. Many businesses are turning to Bitcoin as a way to send and receive money internationally since it is cheaper and faster than traditional bank wire transfers. Bitcoin is also being used to pay for goods and services online, as well as in brick-and-mortar stores.
As Bitcoin adoption continues to grow in Nigeria, it is likely that the country will become an important market for cryptocurrency. This would provide a much-needed boost to the global Bitcoin economy, and could help bring financial inclusion to millions of Nigerians.
Bitcoin’s Repute in Nigeria
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been monitoring the developments in the cryptocurrency space with a view to adopting it into the Nigerian financial system. The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said that the bank is looking into the possibility of launching its own digital currency.
“We are examining very carefully the prospects of introducing a central bank digital currency in Nigeria,” he said. “It is something that we are actively considering.”
However, he cautioned Nigerians against investing in cryptocurrencies, saying that they are “highly volatile and risky assets.” He urged people to invest in more traditional assets such as stocks and bonds.
The Nigerian government has also been supportive of blockchain technology. The country’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, recently said that his administration is planning to use the technology to fight corruption.
“We are looking at how we can use blockchain technology to track transactions in order to curb corruption,” he said. “This will ensure that every kobo that belongs to the government is accounted for.”
The CBN’s governor is not the only one who has cautioned against investing in cryptocurrencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also warned Nigerians about the risks associated with investing in digital currencies.
“Investors should be aware that there are significant risks associated with investing in digital currencies, including the loss of all or part of their investment,” the SEC said in a statement.
Despite the caution from the regulators, there are still many Nigerians who are interested in investing in cryptocurrencies. A recent survey found that one in three Nigerians would like to invest in Bitcoin.
The survey also found that a majority of Nigerians are familiar with Bitcoin and other digital currencies. However, only a small minority have actually invested in them.
It is clear that the Nigerian government is taking a cautious approach to cryptocurrencies. However, the country’s regulator’s stance on digital assets is far more positive than other countries in Africa. For example, Zimbabwe has banned all cryptocurrency trading and South Africa’s central bank has warned people about the risks associated with investing in virtual currencies.
It is still early days for cryptocurrencies in Nigeria but the country’s regulators seem to be open to the idea of adopting them into the financial system. Only time will tell how this plays out but it is certainly an exciting development for the cryptocurrency space in Africa.