Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies intend to overcome various challenges of fiat currency. The digital currency operates on the blockchain, which is a decentralized platform. Decentralization enables peer-to-peer (P-2-P) exchanges and removes third parties from transactions. Through this technique, cross-border transactions happen faster, and settlement fees are low. Although digital currency is promising, it has specific weaknesses that may hinder its mass adoption. Stay tuned to discover the critical inadequacies of BTC and how to overcome them.
Wild Fluctuations
Like other cryptocurrencies, BTC is prone to price fluctuations. These swings happen because the crypto lacks the backing of a central authority. So, at any time, the value of BTC is determined by the sentiments in the market. BTC prices keep swinging between highs and lows.
While these price changes present opportunities for some traders, many people avoid this market because of these swings. With a market that is in a consistent swinging mode, and given that there isn’t actual data to explain the future outlook, risk-averse investors may avoid investing in this digital currency.
Due to these fluctuations, there is a limited number of people using BTC to conduct their transactions. Some people only use the crypto for speculative purposes, hoping that the price may go up and sell their investment for a profit. Luckily, you can avoid these swings if you use resources like British bitcoin profit.
The use of stablecoins can overcome the challenge of BTC swings. Stablecoins mimic the value of an underlying currency.
Prone to cyberattacks
Nobody wants to expose themselves to a technology where they can lose their hard-earned money quickly through cyberattacks. You always want to ensure that your assets are always safe.
Although BTC is secure, exchanges that handle it may be prone to cyberattacks. Previously, cyberattackers have gained access to exchanges like Mt Gox and Bitfinex and walked away with massive amounts of money. Due to this security gap, some people may avoid buying BTC.
And because digital currencies are technology-based and lack any form of physical collateral, they are prone to these cyberattacks. Sadly, if you lose BTCs through hacking, it’s impossible to recover them. Each year, multiple individuals report losing their digital currencies through exchanges or mining. The probability of hacking an exchange is higher even if you secure your assets with a smart wallet. If you forget the keys to your wallet, you may never access your tokens.
Given the risks mentioned above, it’s advisable to research your Crypto wallets to choose a trustworthy one thoroughly.
Competition with national currencies
BTC enthusiasts keep indicating that crypto will eventually replace fiat money. Because of these perceptions, many national governments have given the currency a wide berth. Lately, countries like China have banned BTC transactions in their mainstream financial institutions. As a result of the ban, the market’s response is negative because the price of BTC is at an all-time low. Many other countries have also signaled that they might follow suit.
Some countries want to issue their version of BTC, which may pose an enhanced competition with the current virtual currency.
BTC supporters should avoid marketing the crypto as if it competes with fiat currencies. Such supporters should instead focus on the strengths of BTC that can be beneficial to the government as well.
Fraud in some exchanges
Besides hacking, the BTC market has many fraud incidents. Due to minimal regulations, many bogus exchanges have taken advantage of the situation to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
Because of the increased fraud cases, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and Securities and Exchange Commission have issued an alert. Lack of safety in these exchanges poses a significant danger to investors. Although big brands in the crypto exchanges are upgrading their systems, the protection of investors’ funds remains a considerable challenge to these platforms.
Minimal Regulations
At the moment, the BTC market lacks regulations to control it. Because the market is new and operates in a decentralized manner, governments haven’t developed laws to govern their operations. Furthermore, as governments don’t tax the sector, they might lack interest in the industry.
If the industry operates with minimal regulations, many potential investors may shun it. The good news is that specific countries have indicated that they may create laws to govern the sector. Authorities have realized that the crypto industry can supplement the delivery of financial services. The industry can also be an additional source of tax revenue.
Technology Reliant
BTC is a virtual currency that relies on technology. Miners use technology to mint BTC tokens and exchange them via virtual wallets. Furthermore, users monitor BTC via various online tools. This means that without technology, BTC will die. BTC lacks physical collaterals to support. Because BTC is entirely technology-based, holders of the token are more exposed to cyber threats, virtual scamming, and the platform can be closed.
Block Withholding
New BTC is created by solving complicated mathematical problems known as blocks. Some mining pools use mischief and create blocks that they don’t share with trustworthy minters. This creates a situation where some miners unfairly enrich themselves.
Limited use
Presently, more businesses are online, and consumers can pay for settlements in BTC. However, this isn’t the case as virtual currency hasn’t gained wide acceptance. If giant payment processing companies can allow traders to accept BTC payments, it would accelerate the widespread adoption of digital currency.
Because crypto lacks government backing, people may avoid using it to be on the safe side of the law. Those who may want to invest in it may do it with great caution because its future is unclear.
BTC can be a disruptive technique of payment if many companies can accept it. There is also a need for its technology to be simplified because it’s difficult for lay people. And there is a feeling that the solution is suitable for tech-savvy individuals.
Scalability Issue
BTC encounters a scalability challenge as blockchain technology reduces the amount of data that one block contains. The amount of information that the network can allow each minute is about three settlements per second.
With the limited capacity, huge BTC information may overwhelm the system, leading to delays in transaction processing. BTC may only attain big-scale processing of data if it can improve the capacity of its systems. Already multiple proposals are on the table as regards this issue.
Ease of Use
People can embrace technology faster if it’s easy to use. BTC technology was difficult to apply in the initial stages, especially for people who lack technology skills. Due to this, many people gave it a wide berth.
Although BTC technology is now much easier to use than many years back, there is still much ground to cover to improve it. At the moment, when you want to buy BTC, you must open an account with an exchange and link your checking account. Besides being expensive, the transaction takes many days to clear.
This problem can be overcome if BTC can be purchased through an app. And specific companies have come to the market to offer this solution. So, soon, the purchase problem will be a thing of the past. With an app, many people will participate in the market, even those without tech skills.
No refund or cancellation policy
Many people avoid using BTC because the network lacks a refund and cancellation policy. The technology doesn’t approve transaction reversals. BTC lacks a mechanism for resolving a dispute if an issue occurs during a transaction. So, in case you send money erroneously, you may never recover it. And this gap can be used by mischievous individuals to cheat others out of their money.
BTC can restore the confidence of eligible users if it can formulate a clear refund and cancellation policy. This can avoid many incidents of losing money through human error.
Poor reputation
BTC was famous for its application in various illegal activities, such as money laundering and buying unacceptable products during the early days. Many unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the crypto’s anonymous way of payment. So, whether criminals wanted to purchase illicit drugs or weapons, BTC was the best method of settling transactions. Although anonymity is one of the best aspects of the technology, many people may misuse it to conduct illegal transactions on the network.
Adverse environmental effects
Mining BTC and other digital currencies require massive electric energy. Furthermore, BTC mining requires specialist computers that can work on the energy-intensive mining procedure. Due to its consumption of a lot of energy, the mining procedure increases its carbon footprint. And countries like China, which has a lot of miners, have recorded enhanced carbon footprints.
People who care about the environment may avoid using BTC because of its adverse environmental effects. Therefore, stakeholders in this field need to develop eco-friendly methods of BTC mining that can be widely accepted.
Conclusion
Although BTC is a disruptive digital currency on blockchain technology, it has many challenges to surmount. Here, we’ve explored some of the critical challenges facing the technology.