I’ve recently had a renewed interest in cryptocurrency. Quite a few of my colleagues and friends have been investing in cryptocurrency and getting a positive return on their investment. As such, I felt like the time had come for me to partake in this venture. Therefore, I recently joined the Bitcoin Foundation to take my interest a step further.
Why I Decided to Invest in Cryptocurrency?
As previously mentioned, I decided to invest in cryptocurrency because I have seen several of my friends and colleagues get a good return on their investment. Bitcoin has been in the news a lot lately and I felt like, the time was right to start investing myself.
For those who may be unaware of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, here is a brief explanation of the industry. Cryptocurrency is essentially a digital asset intended to be used as an exchange medium. Essentially, it is a type of electronic money that uses cryptography for transaction security and to manage the creation of other units of the currency. In 2009, Bitcoin became the first decentralized cryptocurrency. Today the three most popular types of cryptocurrency include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
Cryptocurrency is becoming more and popular among entrepreneurs across several industries. Even major players within the cigar industry are taking more than just a passing interest in this digital phenomenon. In fact, the biggest premium cigar retailer in Australia, Fine Cigars Australia, has started to accept cryptocurrency after customers made the request via email.
Matthew Mroczek, the General Manager of the company, has stated that the company was at a stage where they were comfortable with Bitcoin. The cigar company directly accepts Bitcoin into a personal wallet. They do not use any payment processor and further along on the supply chain, they get to use the currency. They have been doing this for several months now to pay suppliers in Mexico, Nicaragua, and other places. They have found this payment method to be quite efficient.
What is the Bitcoin Foundation?
The Bitcoin Foundation is essentially a group of individuals who are focused on standardizing, safeguarding and promoting the use of Bitcoins all across the globe.
The mission of the foundation is to coordinate the efforts of its members, assisting in the creation of awareness of Bitcoin benefits, how it is used and related technology requirements for regulators, technologists, the media and all other stakeholders.
The foundation’s vision is for Bitcoin to become an internationally-accepted method of storing and exchanging value. Its ultimate aim is to operate without requirement for third parties. Their values are:
• Guaranteed financial access
• Privacy
• Autonomy
• Decentralization
• Financial Inclusion
• Stable money supplies
The Board of Directors is made up of:
• Executive Director, Llew Claasen
• Chairman, Brock Pierce
• Vice Chairman, Bobby Lee
• Board Member, Bruce Fenton
• Board Member, Elizabeth McCauley
• Board Member, Michael Perklin
• Board Member, Francois Pouliot
• Board Member, Vinny Lingham
These individuals have a wealth of knowledge and have been a part of the digital marketplace for several years.
How You Can Join the Bitcoin Foundation
The success of Bitcoin largely depends of the support of its membership. You can become a member of this powerful movement for only $10 per month or for $100 per annum. The membership fee will help with the funding of advocacy and training programs for 2017.
As a part of the membership of the Bitcoin Foundation, you can:
• Access special offers and exclusive discounts for partner and foundation products and events
• Receive a monthly members-only update report from the Executive Director about operational and financial aspects of the foundation
• Participate in the Bitcoin Foundation’s yearly planning process for training and advocacy programs
• Gain access to an exclusive dedicated Slack monthly newsletter and channel
• Be a part of a movement that will change the world