Author: Doctor Bitcoin (aka Mark Hopkins)

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Ask Doctor Bitcoin Minute #4: LocalBitcoins Shuts Down Cash Transactions

This really huge news may have slipped past you, but it will certainly have an impact on both the price of bitcoin and how quickly adoption spreads amongst the mainstream.

Without any warning or fanfare, LocalBitcoins.Com today took all advertisements off it’s website that were for bitcoin buyers or sellers dealing with others in person. Not only is this a valuable source of information about bitcoin price and adoption worldwide, but it’s often the bitcoin newbie’s first introduction to crypto.

According my sources from the company who spoke on background, most folks who transacted locally in cash would sidestep the website itself, thus robbing LBC of their fees. It was also a sore spot for them, the source of many of the headaches scammers brought to the table.

Rumored to be prepping the company for a sale, killing cost centers comes as no surprise.

So where to turn now for local-sourced bitcoins? You can always reach out directly to folks you’ve interacted with in the past, or you can search for new sellers and buyers via Paxful, which hopes to fill the gap now.

If you want to sign up, consider using this affiliate link, as it helps me out when you do.

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Ask Doctor Bitcoin Minute #3: Could Bitcoin really rise to $150,000?

This is part of a series of videos aimed at audiences on social, quickly answering tough crypto questions. Follow me on Tik Tok to get the videos first!

This question comes in from the Ask Doctor Bitcoin chatroom: “Is a Bitcoin value of $150,000 supported by logic? Forget the moon, what’s the math supporting this?”

Andrew Lowe, a long time business partner of mine (and fantastic crypto technical analyst) answered it thusly:

“It all comes down tot he fundamentals of supply and demand.”

The international money supplies are valued at quadrillions of dollars, and it’s a value we can use to indicate what our total addressable market could be for Bitcoin. Should bitcoin become the successor to any national currency, the market cap of bitcoin would rise to the value of that nation’s oney supply.

Publilius Syrus famously wrote in 100 BC that “Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it”

Considering the value of the global money supply, if we reengineer stocks, derivatives, and commodities to be represented by cryptocurrencies, then bitcoin could be worth orders of magnitude more than $150k

You can always ask Andy or I questions in the ADB chatroom and read more in the blog post for this video (links are in my profile!).

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Why is Bitcoin Rising Again? (2019 Edition)

This question comes in from Doctor Bitcoin chatroom participant Ife Olaore: “What’s driving the market right now?”

I’m always asked basic variations on the question “Why do bitcoin’s price be like it be?” Most of the time this is a yawn of a question, but the conditions that resulting in this runup in price are actually pretty interesting.

In general, you’ve got a couple things that forced illiquidity on the market: the Bitfinex/Tether thing, and the Binance hack (both of those linked articles are by Duncan Riley, who does a great job of investigating the underbelly of the world of crypto and blockchain).

You’re talking about two of the most used places to trade bitcoin, and together they constitute a large plurality of the general marketcap of crypto.

Bitfinex was seeing, in effect, a bank run, and due to the fact that folks didn’t trust Tether due to the news cycle, they were running up the price of Bitcoin on Bitfinex. How? They were cashing in their (to them, worthless) Tether at market rate for Bitcoin, and then withdrawing the Bitcoin offsite. and waiting for the price of BTC to catch up elsewhere before they cashed out (so they wouldn’t lose money). This activity continues; even through yesterday, whale monitors saw transfers as large as 45,000 Bitcoin leave Bitfinex.

Between Bitfinex and Binance, you’re talking about two of the most used places to trade Bitcoin, and together they constitute a large plurality of the general marketcap and trading volume of crypto.

Simultaneous to the Bitfinex / Tether situation, you had the hack at Binance, which cause a freeze on withdraws for Bitcoin. That means people could trade, but they couldn’t withdraw (although presumably they could deposit other cryptos and liquidate to Bitcoin that they couldn’t withdraw).

This has the net effect of driving up the price of BTC on both sites.

Normally, when these things happen at exchanges, they don’t matter, and the general market continues as it would. But because Binance and Bitfinex constitute such a large percentage of daily volume of crypto trading, it drove a FOMO cycle, causing the price to rise elsewhere.

Based on what I’m seeing, that cycle may be cooling a bit, but time will tell. It could be a pause before another runup, or it could be just my limited sample set of data. When I started working on this post (and when we were talking about it in the chat room), the price was still well north of $8000 for Bitcoin. A couple of large sales went through, bouncing the price a little and cooling off the bull run, but most of the technical analysts still see us well in

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The TRUTH about Ripple [ADB s1e11]

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Ask Doctor Bitcoin. This week, we look at Ripple and why it may be a great investment for banks but a bad investment for individuals. Ripple has recently made the news as banks begin to adopt the messaging protocol to save time and money associated with wire transfers.

Project profile

Before understanding Ripple, one must understand how bank wire transfers work. Although the process is electronic, there is also a manual component in copying the information and sending it to the person making the wire transfer. Because of the labor and time involved in wire transfers, the transaction fees are high. Banks are looking at Ripple to streamline this process: since the steps are consolidated in the overlay protocol, both the initiating bank and the intermediary bank save time and avoid human error by using Ripple.

What’s that

Most people view cryptocurrencies as being basically the same in terms of how their market fundamentals work, but Ripple is application-specific. With other cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, the value of the currency goes up as more people utilize and trade it—i.e. what we think of as supply-and-demand economics. However, since Ripple is used by banks to keep transaction costs low, the demand would decrease if the costs outweighed the savings gained by using the protocol.

Users of most cryptocurrencies have an incentive to want the value to rise, adding wealth to all the users. That is the key difference with Ripple. Its value does not travel through the blockchain, and U.S. dollars are all that is being exchanged using the Ripple protocol. Banks do not use Ripple as currency; instead, they transfer dollars from one bank to another using the Ripple messaging protocol to coordinate the process. Banks pay for the use of the messaging protocol with Ripple tokens.

Ripple is useful for banks to reduce the time and expense required for wire transfers. However, since Ripple is an application-specific token and not a currency like bitcoin, its usefulness and popularity are not an indication that an individual should invest in it the same way they do other cryptocurrencies.

For the latest cryptocurrency news and answers to more of your questions, join us next week for another episode of Ask Doctor Bitcoin.

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Cryptocurrency Exchanges Explained [ADB s1e10]

On this week’s episode of Ask Doctor Bitcoin, we talk about exchanges—where you go when you want to exchange one currency for another kind of currency. We’ll specifically cover centralized and decentralized exchanges.

What’s That

A cryptocurrency exchange is a place for you to take your money and turn it into other kinds of money. In a cryptocurrency transaction, one person initiates the transaction (which makes a record on the ledger), and the other person accepts the transaction (also making a record on the ledger).

In a centralized exchange, instead of the transaction going from initiator to blockchain to receiver, the initiator sends the transaction to a centralized platform to exchange the currency. For example, the initiator may send bitcoin (via the blockchain) to the centralized platform, which then converts the currency to Ether and records it on the Ethereum blockchain—which the initiator then reads. This process is the antithesis of blockchain technology, because with a centralized platform, you now have a central point of failure and are vulnerable to hackers.

In a decentralized exchange, you are making the transaction by yourself, using smart contracts to broker the process. For example, the initiator sends his bitcoin to a smart contract owned by a decentralized exchange and transfers it to Ether. If the transaction is not completed, the money is sent back to the initiator safely and securely.

How to

Mark shows users how to make a transaction using ShapeShift. In the example, he transfers Dash to Ether using the decentralized platform. Remember to fill in your sender address, so in the event that the transaction does not complete, your money will be returned. Choose the amount you want to exchange, type in the receiving address, and scan the QR code. The example transaction was completed in less than a minute. Changelly works similarly but has a diverse set of currencies it accesses. Both exchanges are decentralized, accessible through website or apps, and are equally secure and recommended for making cryptocurrency exchanges.

For more information on cryptocurrency and for all of your questions, join us each week on Ask Doctor Bitcoin.

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How to spot scamcoins [ADB s1e9]

The technology behind cryptocurrency and blockchain offers so many world-changing possibilities, and there are many ways companies can use the technology for good. Frustratingly, some persist in using the technology to perpetuate scams. Today, we cover two of those scams and give viewers a few tips on how to spot scam companies and scam coins in the future.

Project Profile

Highlighted this week are two companies making the news for all the wrong reasons: Bitconnect and USI Tech have both collapsed after allegations of fraudulent activity.

Both companies fit the definition of a Ponzi scheme: i.e. “a fraudulent investment operation where the operator generates returns for older investors through revenue paid by new investors, rather than from legitimate business activities or profit of financial trading.”

Bitconnect and USI Tech both promised insane returns and unrealistic gains via automated trading and cryptocurrency mining. These promises, with no regard to the actual market price of cryptocurrencies, should have been an immediate red flag.

In addition, Bitconnect and USI Tech took custody of people’s currency, defeating the entire purpose of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, which entails a trustless system.

It is unfortunate that many people were introduced to cryptocurrency by way of scams, so it is important to learn how to spot fraudulent schemes as well as how to recognize valid projects. Unfortunately, events like these are what usually precede government regulations, which can in turn block real, valid uses of the technology.

How to:

When you try to find new projects or coins to support, Mark recommends asking yourself the following questions to see if any red flags pop up.

  1. What do the influencers say?
  2. What is the company trying to do? (And are they holding your money hostage to do it?)
  3. Google them.
  4. Research on GitHub (for a more technical look at their history).
  5. Who’s on their team?

For more news about cryptocurrency, profiles on (legit) companies, and all your Bitcoin questions, join us each week for Ask Doctor Bitcoin.

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Recovering Lost Wallets & Raiblocks Explained [ADB s1e8]

This week, Doctor Bitcoin details how to recover a lost bitcoin wallet and discusses the crypto project RaiBlocks XRB.

How to:

Most experienced cryptonerds will be able to find recoverable currency information for a ten percent finder’s fee—but before you run to the nearest bitcoin dealer, Mark’s recovery triage may save you the trip.

Recovery Triage

  1. If the cryptocurrency was purchased on websites, exchanges or web wallets that no longer exist, your information may be extremely difficult to find and claim.
  2. If your web wallet still exists and you have the private keys to your wallet, you may be able to recover your information by using the 12–24 word passphrase you created when setting up your wallet. Ask Doctor Bitcoin episode 1 may help you remember the setup process you followed.
  3. If your web wallet exists and you do not have the private keys to your wallet, you will need to contact the technical support for the web wallet.
  4. If you purchased and kept your cryptocurrency on your PC, look for a wallet.dat file. If the hard drive has not been altered, damaged, or wiped, the file should still exist on the hard drive and should contain all of your private keys. Once you install the latest version of your wallet, you will be able to access all of your cryptocurrency.

Project Profile

Project RaiBlocks XRB is a form of cryptocurrency that is rising in value and may solve the scaling issues associated with bitcoin. RaiBlocks performs at 7,000+ transactions per second. RaiBlocks is a trustless low-latency cryptocurrency using a block lattice structure. Each wallet is a blockchain unto itself. You can authorize record-keeping to another node. XRB funds are widely distributed and accepted worldwide. RaiBlocks XRB may have untested vulnerabilities, but its potential is promising and its structure may permanently end the scaling problem.

That’s it for this episode! Check back on our Facebook or Youtube channel for weekly sessions with the crypto doctor.

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What is Segwit & How do I get my Hard Forked Coins? [ADB s1e7]

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Doctor Bitcoin, where Mark explains SegWit and how to claim forked currency.

What’s this?

To understand how SegWit works, you must first understand how transfers occur.

What we think of as peer-to-peer transactions is not exactly accurate. Instead, when one person initiates a transfer, it is broadcasted to the blockchain and the other party must then claim it. However, there are often more transactions being broadcasted than space allows, making transaction times longer. SegWit-enabled lightning networks can speed up the process by using smart contracts to make transactions immediate. Your currency becomes spendable immediately, and the lightning network finds a time with fewer transactions to officially process your transfer.

How to:

A fork occurs when two developers part ways, creating a fork in the code. This can result in two completely different currencies as we’ve seen recently with Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. In the event of a hard fork, you may see two balances: one with the original currency, and one with the new forked currency. If you choose to stay with the original currency, then you will want to claim and transfer your forked coins back.

Mark suggests using Coinomi as the easiest way to collect the forked currency and to transfer it back to the original (if that is what you want to do).

  • Take your BIP phrase from whatever wallet you’re using
  • Import into Coinomi
  • You’ll see your Bitcoin balance
  • Choose “Add coins”
  • Pick the forked coin of choice
  • Go to advanced settings and type in proper derivation pathway
  • Hit OK
  • Go to exchange process and select your currency of choice

There are other methods to claim forked coins, but this is the easiest way. You can delete the new wallet when you are done with it if you choose.

That’s it for this episode! Check back next week for the latest episode of Doctor Bitcoin.

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Blockchain for Supply Chain & Crypto Portfolio Management [ADB s1e6]

We’re back from the holidays and ready to pour our knowledge onto the internet. This week, Doctor Bitcoin shares his tricks on how to develop a crypto-first mindset.

Mark suggests thinking of your cryptocurrencies like a bank account instead of stock or other kinds of Wall Street investments. By thinking of cryptocurrency as actual money, your perception might switch to dollar-cost averaging. This new mindset allows you to take advantage of the changing markets and to do what investment advisors recommend: maintain a savings account with compound interest.

What’s that?

We’ve talked before about blockchain technology and smart contracts. Wherever there’s a vector of trust there is also an opportunity for fraud. Companies that deal with third parties have to worry about the middleman running away with the cash and leaving them with nothing.

Smart Contract supply chains could fix the dishonest middleman issue and are scalable for companies of any size. Last year, Walmart announced a collaborative effort with IBM and their counterparts to improve food supply safety with the use of blockchain. And Walmart is just one of many companies looking to implement smart contracts.

How To:

You’ve got your wallet all set up, now it’s time to pick your currency.

Creating a diverse crypto portfolio can be a head-scratcher. There seems to be some new cryptocurrency being made every day. Bitcoin and Ether wobble up and down every time news outlets make doomsday prophecies. Don’t worry! You’re watching Ask Doctor Bitcoin and we’ve got a few tips to share.

There are ways to find out what tokens are promising investments and which ones you should stay away from. The first step is keeping an eye on Coinmarketcap’s top 10. These are relatively safe and won’t have widely varying drops. Do your research. Mark tells you a little bit about a few of the top 10 coins, but it’s still best to do your own research. Fortunately, Coinmarketcap has links to every coin so you can learn about each one individually.

That’s it for this episode! Check back on our Facebook or Youtube channel for weekly sessions with the crypto doctor.

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Bitcoin Veteran FAQ! [ADB s1e5]

On this week’s episode, Doctor Bitcoin reviews some of the most commonly asked questions about cryptocurrency and encourages potential buyers to reframe those questions in ways that are more meaningful.

Are we in a bubble?

Instead, what you’re thinking (and what you should be asking) is “Bitcoin’s price rose very quickly. Is this a problem? Is this normal?” CME Group’s Chairman Emeritus Leo Melamed said that Bitcoin is the “first new asset class in over 100 years.” The FTC doesn’t even have a proper classification for cryptocurrency yet, so any speculation of a “bubble” is just that: speculation. However, Bitcoin may follow the same curve as other user adoption platforms, such as Airbnb and Uber, and therefore the success of the currency would be based on its usage.

When’s the best time to buy?

What you’re really asking is “When is the best time to put money into this volatile market and mitigate my risk?” 2009 was undoubtedly the best time to buy. But the second-best time is now. Given a long enough timeline, the value tends to increase. Converting your dollars into cryptocurrency, over the long term, is a tried-and-true method for investing without the volatility of day trading.

When’s the best time to sell?

Doctor Bitcoin doesn’t frame this question in these terms at all. If you are in a cryptocurrency-first lifestyle, you aren’t thinking of cryptocurrency as a buy/sell system but rather as a superior way to use and spend money. Instead of thinking about how much the currency is worth, it may be beneficial to think about your purchasing power.

Have you heard of (new ICO or Coin)?

The answer is “Probably not,” but that’s not the important part. What you’re really wanting to know is how to research and evaluate the validity of new ICOs and coins for yourself. We suggest evaluating the team, the product market fit, the competition, and the economics of the offering to see if these match your specific goals.

Should I buy (new ICO or Coin)?

Instead of asking us, look at your research, goals, and the amount you have to invest before coming to your conclusion.

The key is to educate yourself and learn everything you can about cryptocurrency and the projects that interest you, so you will be better prepared to avoid potential pitfalls and take advantage of future opportunities.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news and learn more about the crypto world.

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