Note: reposted from Medium.com (where it’s getting a lot of traction): https://medium.com/business-startup-development-and-more/d609eef3e6cb.

Forget about Crypto-Currency, Here Comes Crypto-Finance

If you’ve been following the Bitcoin movement, you’ve seen it grow, since its inception five years ago, from idealogical experiment to fully-fledged currency with its own ATM machines, billionaire investors and billion dollar marketplace and yes, place on the world stage. You’ve seen the introduction of bitcoin-mining specific hardware (that costs more than many people can afford). You’ve seen Silk Road, Overstock, massive heists and massive problems, regulations and crackdowns by various governments and organizations while others embrace, or allow — while they look for ways to make money off — or regulate it. You’ve seen the creation of Bitcoin alternatives from Litecoin to Dogecoin and the ill-fated Coinye, to the recent Icelandic nationalized Auroracoin; in short, you’ve seen incredible growth for this experiment in virtual, decentralized currency but, I believe, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Continue reading Bitcoin’s Baby →

When talking about bitcoin wallet security, there are three things to consider:

1. the most obvious: theft, either online or in person;
2. losing your computer, USB key or papers containing your bitcoin (BTC) data, and
3. obsolescence of BTC software.

There are also several use-cases to consider:

1. the system you use to spend your bitcoins. This would be a BTC wallet on your smartphone – the equivalent of the wallet that holds your cash and credit cards.
2. a system for keeping BTC accessible, but not necessarily in your smartphone wallet – the equivalent of a drawer, box or safe that you keep at home, with cash for emergencies, and
3. a system to secure the bulk of your BTC savings – the equivalent of your bank and/or investment accounts.

Continue reading On Bitcoin Wallets and How to Secure Them →