What the title says.
I'll be doing an experiment in this post to raise engagement. 50% of post rewards are going to curators through @reward.app and the other 50% will be tipped to comments under this post along with !ENGAGE token distribution!
PS! Feel free to skip the first question if you don't want to share your location and answer the second one instead.
Finland.
In general, there is resistance to blockchain as a lot of the information people have is outdated, irrelevant or plain wrong. There is fear of crypto (BTC) as it is an internet scam and probably illegal, so keep your children away from it.
I am constantly surprised at (I work in IT) in a country where technological understanding is incredibly high on average, most people do not look into things themselves and instead pay attention to media FUD.
I've noticed the same thing and wondered how this technologically advanced country can be so close minded to new ideas and developments in that field. Helsingin Sanomat and Yle are basically telling people that bitcoin is bad and everyone related to it are criminals, and the general public believes every word these huge media companies tell them, without even thinking about having a critical look into what is said.
A couple years ago there was a study done that found 92% of Finns trust the Finnish media. But, most of the stories that come internationally are syndicated and translated. People in Finland also trust "experts" like financial managers and economists - no matter how often they get it all wrong. I was handed an article (not Finnish) the other day by a friend here that she used as an attack on blockchain and Bitcoin, yet it was so heavily flawed it was near useless - but it appeared in a big media outlet.
It really is discouraging to see people lead astray, when all you have to do is be at least a bit more critical and check the sources. I was just talking with my dad about how those who know how to play well in the media field, dictate was is the truth to most people. More often than not, the ones that are trying to bring to light issues that contradict the main media sources, are really bad at presenting their cases, and even though they are right, they are left unheard.
I instantly imagined this guy 😂
At least he’s wearing a suit and not a dirty t-shirt and Karjala lippis 😅
Maybe someone should tokenize Alko or recycling their bottles and the adoption that'll ensue will be something never before seen in the last decade of blockchain.
LOL
People using Bitcoin for criminal activity are gonna have a bad time!
Movies still potray Bitcoin as being untraceable, some young drug dealers will be in trouble 😂
Really weird tbh, not only does Bitcoin have really, really early adopters, one of them even having been in direct contact with Satoshi but also they were one of the countries highest on the list of that Onecoin scam adoption. You'd think that scam would've at least made them interested in real blockchain but I guess they got so burned they never looked back.
Yep - the early adopters probably on average sold fast and never got back in - as it would have been at a "loss" - I know one who cashed out at around 20 dollar BTC and was happy with his several thousand euro gain - until....
I have a feeling that a lot of Finns are culturally wait and see adopters, normally waiting for Sweden to prove it works first. :)
This. Having the Swedes test out a novelty and seeing how it works is a time-honored practice in all areas. @acidyo said Finland has had some extremely early adopters of Bitcoin and that, too, is another paradox of Finnish culture. Finland has always had a relatively high proportion of lone wolves who've gone their own way and done extraordinary things. The literary classic Seitsemän veljestä captures this phenomenon. But when it comes to the cultural mainstream, the country is not a first-adopter in anything.
The problem is that Finland jumps on the bandwagon at the peak of attention when there are already a thousand others in the space. As I keep saying, not everyone is cut out for being an early adopter. Finns generally want to be the best of the group, Swedes the furthest away from the group.
But yes, there are the lone wolves here too, unfortunately it takes far too long for general adoption to follow, even though track record should influence the decision to move.
Internally, Sweden has a stronger culture of conformity than Finland. But as a society, Swedes like to consider themselves as ones to take the initiative and pioneer new things.
I think adoption tends to be quick in most things as long as what is being adopted something technological. But cryptocurrencies and blockchain tech is not just technological. It's deeply philosophical. The entire starting point in the creation of Bitcoin was fundamental distrust in central banking. Trust, however, is a major theme in Finnish society and culture. Even the sparsity of communication (I don't mean the lack of small talk, I mean the fact that a lot of things are simply not communicated) that any foreigner will pick up after living here for a while, is a result of trust which in turn results from mainstream people having so much common ground that little communication is needed in the first place. Thus it is not surprising that a technological novelty offered as a solution to the problem of lack of trust will not get much traction in Finland.
That said, the way cryptocurrency transactions are taxed in Finland makes much more sense than how the IRS or other tax authorities in most other countries tax crypto from what I've heard. Yet another paradox.
Oh forgot (and I always do :() (maybe @peakd could add a simple tip button for people with over 1000 engage tokens to distribute it so you don't have to add it in a comment or it needing to announce the distribution in one)
!ENGAGE 20
Yep, that would be a good idea.
ENGAGEtokens.I'm from Greece and people here are completelly unaware of blockchain though most of them know Bitcoin, even the elders!
Everyone is using Facebook and there are tons of scam links about famous Greeks who bought Bitcoin and became rich etc. Most people here think that BTC and crypto in general is a bubble.
That's sad, especially for a country that's had problems with the economy and should question fiat more.
Still having economic problems, nothing is over! We are a protactorate of rich European countries.
Platforms like Hive can make people see crypto with positivity and it's up to us Greek users to promote it to our people. That's the reason we created @hive-voice!
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.Born in New York, grew up in New Jersey, living in Minnesota.
Most people here are clueless about crypto/blockchain. Coworkers looked at me like I was crazy when I tried to explain it, as if I was trying to suck them into a MLM scam. I gave up trying.
I know that feel, it was way harder back in 14' and 15' as well, the few that did listen and bothered to do some research did pretty well, although many of them did either sell too early or get burned in ICO's, etc. Wonder how many of them are aware of the Hive fork and that they have two coins now.
... 3rd time in a row I forget to add
!ENGAGE 20
in the same comment.
ENGAGEtokens.I am from the states, and I would say crypto/blockchain in my community (of about 100k people) is relatively unheard of yet. Since 2014, I would say I have recommended to at least 200 people (friends/coworkers/family), if not more, to set up a Coinbase account and buy Bitcoin. I can honestly say only 10 people have actually followed my advise. The rest of my friends/coworkers continue to tell me "they keep meaning to do that."
I'm from Nigeria and around here, there's a high level of ignorance about the topic. I mean, people get scammed with some basic "blockchain scams" that are so laughable. For most people, they see cryptocurrency and blockchain as a "business" and while that may be true to a large extent, the general view think it is some sort of get rich quick scheme where you put in money and cash out in a Ponzi sort of way.
Because of this "bad reputation" crypto has, which in reality is as a result of bad actors taking advantage of the scammed people's greed(I don't feel sorry for people who get scammed), Crypto and blockchain-related discussions is met with apprehension or some weariness.
Toronto
Personally, I do not have anyone in my family, friends and work circle who would know much about crypto and blockchain other than the price of Bitcoin. I am aware that there are private companies actively involved in crypto trading. Universities do have courses as the sector is booming. The public sector is aware of the technology and there are agencies working towards drafting regulations to manage the crypto space. But, nothing has come out yet other than a high level federal guideline/regulation.
There could be some other developments that are happening that I am not aware of.
In Japan and the general public doesn't get it, but they don't get the stock market either. It is all a risky scam ( stocks and crypto) but the ones that are in are IN. Regulation is tough and taxes high for those who want to cash out. 40% on any gains compared to 20% in the stock market. Digital payment systems are big here with apps like Line Pay, Paypay, Toyota pay, apple pay, google, and many many more, it seems that everyday a new payment system emerges with coupons and ads in wallets. Points systems are huge too. But crypto is yet to be seen as beneficial to the general public. BUT the payment systems are said to be using ripple's technology for instant deposits and withdrawals through SBI group and Ripple net.
I think a lot of people in tech advertising and other more "modern" industries have some or think about buying in but are still unsure. People in their mid 30s and early 40s
That is true , but most wouldn’t let their peers know that they take part in the space. But it’s the same for stocks. A lot of my Japanese friends have crypto but the only thing they know is, the hodl aspect.
Nigeria.
The vast majority of people are completely ignorant about crypto. Others see it as a glorified scam.
Few are aware of its true potential.
Here in Nigeria and especially ilorin which is my specific location, people don't really know much about crypto currency. When you have a discussion with certain individuals they'd tell you they only heard about bitcoin, not as though they know it's usefulness or what it stands for though. If most individuals don't know much about bitcoin, now imagine telling them about ethereum, litecoin and the likes. Crypto currency is pretty unknown around here.
My friend over there got a good online job that he would have missed otherwise cause there is no PayPal. Hope more people find out. Much love for Nigeria and Africa
Surely we'll get there one day...
Scotland!
Kinda hard to know what the crypto pulse is here, but it is in any case weak. I have a few friends and close family members who have bought some crypto (a little Hive, a little BTC). People have by and large heard of BTC but don't grasp the nature of a decentralised token. It's not as easy to buy crypto as it was a year or so ago - KYC required where it wasn't before - and I suspect the population would fall for a centralised digital shitcoin, disguised and presented as 'it' (along the lines of what James Corbett calls the Bitcoin Psyop).
We currently live in the United Arab Emirates, and I personally think cryptos are not yet widely known. Couple of years ago there was news that the UAE government would dopt the blockchain technology to record government transactions, of course, that isn't crypto-related.
Philippines
Professionals have heard the crypto news, but they're not yet acting on it. This is based on my observations on my friends and colleagues. In terms of legislation, the government is fairly okay with it. I haven't seen any heavy regulation yet.
Here in Ireland, there is a small community interested in Crypto but in general, most people don't understand and are quite sceptical of the whole thing. Those I talk to about Hive just don't get it. I think for many they think crypto it is a pyramid scheme and related to criminal activity.
I’m from the Netherlands. We have some crypto startup companies in my country and quite a few companies are researching and executing blockchain projects, including our tax office. That said, the mass not really understand cryptocurrencies. They believe its fake money for the criminals and gets hacked all the time. They know Bitcoin; Its quite often mentioned in the news. I have some friends and acquaintances not knowing anything about investing in general, approaching me from time to time with the questions if and in what they should invest in crypto. Back in the 2017 bubble, this happened regularly; Recently that started again.
Small US Town. The only time I heard interest in Crypto from other people was during the 2017 mania. Since then crickets and I just do not try to engage in Crypto talk (outside of online crypto focused communities) as most people still think of it as magic money / ponzi / scam.
Greece.
Do the words rain and desert Sahara stick together? Probably not eh?
Well that's the relationship Greeks have with blockchain technology and crypto in general...Whenever I am trying to discuss stuff like that even with close friends or family members, I always get that very same look...as if I am an alien or something...
England.
I hear no chatter from friends or work colleagues about cryptocurrency, certainly nothing about blockchain tech, and I work in IT.
I'm still at the stage of being laughed at for mentioning BTC :)
@maneco64 published a great video today. It was about how sovereign bonds are being used as collateral in the financial markets. In an earlier video some months back he mentioned how regulators are forcing this upon traders effectively forcing them to overvalue them. Trouble is governments are up to their eyeballs in debt everywhere in the developed world and completely incapable of remaining solvent very long without central banks keeping key interest rates artificially low through Quantitative Easing including buying said debt and even stocks.
What this means is that central banks will be absolutely forced to continue their ultra-light monetary policies because failing to do so would be courting with immediate and utter disaster. What that means for you is that by doubling down on Bitcoin and other cryptos you cannot go wrong.
If @maneco64 is right, you will not be laughed at for long when you bring up Bitcoin.
I am bullish long term, perhaps almost as much as you sound :)
With the mess you describe above, it feels like we may not have to wait so long.
BTC is right on schedule. Late 2021 to early 2022 is probably when cryptos start going parabolic again.
Whenever I mention Cryptocurrency, people just assume I'm rich because it is associated with scam or wealth. Weird
It's growing for sure. I once went to a small cafe and listened to some guys mentioning about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. I said hi and we started talking, they told me about https://rupiahtoken.com/ which is very interesting. I feel like I am the one who were left behind since even my half sibling was into it long before I do. But generally in public, it is known within younger generation and often talked about in online media. From government side, they were trying to regulate it and I also heard, there are some minor regulations though I don't really follow.
Hive/USDT pair seems to have okay volume on the indonesian exchange.
I am from Venezuela. Here crytos in general are geting a big boost, partly due to our currency's devaluation. The government even tried to implement a government-run cryptocurrency, the Petro, but you probably know more about that than I do.
Becasue of the centralized nature of that currency it does not have people's trust, especially because it has been created and controlled by a corrupt and narco-regime.
I learned about Bitcoin some years ago, a friend bought a certain amount of btc for some of us as an incentive for us to keep investing, but given out crisis I was never able to keep up or even familiarize myself with the currency or the whole market. I have not been able to keep investing.
Now, since we learned about Steem and later about Hive, many of my friends, relatives and colleagues have gotten involved in the platforms. There are still a few who remain active on Steemit, but most migrated to Hive and are growing in it. Hive makes more sense because of the incentives to accumulate the currency without a prior investment. Those I have broguht to the platform are very excited about the environment, the rewards, the incentives, the safety features and the encouragement to continue doing what they enjoy and get rewarded on top of that.
People want to learn about this new form of transactions and social media; they want to know more about the currency and how to contribute to making it stronger, more solid and stable.
I have already heard of places accepting hives/HBDs as fiat money; I have not yet seen any place around, but I can see the possibilities once there are enough people involved.
In venezuela, with so many regulations coming from the government, it makes perfect sense to have decentralized cryptos as options to avoid all the mess and inestability of government-run money.
Great question, by the way!
On to the answers:
Finland.
I've been participating in discussions on cryptocurrency and blockchain on Facebook and the local cryptocurrency provider's forum. I've also talked about crypto on Finnish language Quora.
I'd say that despite generally being very tech friendly and open to adopting new technologies, Finland is not particularly open to cryptocurrency. A lot of people see cryptocurrencies as being in a gray area in terms of legality or acceptability. Finnish society and its institutions are considered to be working fairly well by the majority and most people see very little need for any sort of a disruptive change. A lot of people have their understanding of crypto stuck in the year 2013. Most people only know Bitcoin and it is associated with buying drugs online. Most people do not have any depth of understanding when it comes to monetary systems. Most laypeople with some knowledge of this subject matter seem to support the debt-based fiat monetary system. People have a great deal of trust in institutions including banks. The stability of the last 25 years seems to have lulled most people into complacency. Most people do not fully appreciate the fragility of the current state of the global financial system.
There is, of course, a subculture of crypto-enthusiasts like in any country. But it's small as is the number of libertarians or gold bugs or any sort of supporters of alternative economics. Statism is rampant.
I live pretty close to the Bullseye of America.
As a survivalist/bushcrafter/off-gridder and Voluntaryist I both like and am weary of what crypto brings to the table.
I was first turned onto Bitcoin for the claim of Decentralization. I was a huge critic and argued with every claim. My questions couldn't be answered satisfactory and still haven't been. I turned out to be correct. Crypto has not managed to eliminate the bottleneck of the control it promised.
I understand that my definition of Decentralization is a bit on the purist side, but partial decentralization doesn't equal decentralization.
I jumped on board for no other reason than to profit from the growth I saw in 2017. Of course it was too late by the time I bought in, so didn't make much. I'm currently a hodler, not a trader. This goes for all coins I own.
As for it being able to replace paper or physical value, the prepper side of me sees many problems with digital currency. What happens when shit hits the fan?
Sure, there's paper wallets, cold storage and other ways to use it offline, but you cannot use something not accepted by the masses as payment. If it was accepted, would it still be viable after life returned to normal? How can I send a fraction from an address in my paper wallet? I can't...
The former question depends on the issue, how long it lasts and...if the grid can handle the energy waste when it goes back up.
So, for me its only use is to earn from investing in the present/short-term. In the future I don't think it'll be what sticks and becomes the norm. It also isn't much good if a disaster plagues the Earth. Think EMP's, a nuclear winter or in the even there's no electricity available. I can't send a bitcoin to pay for clean water if a hurricane wipes out the grid and my phones dead.
It's cool for now, but adoption will be with something much different in the medium to distant future, imo.
As for the general outlook? No one here has heard of it other than from me. Even if they have, they believe it's too complicated to deal with.
South Africa
More and more people here are keen to get into Crypto; the number of online stores accepting btc is slowly growing and some coffee shops and touristy places also. We have a South African Bitcoin Business Directory and a Blockchain Academy as well. Many young entrepreneurs of course very interested in cryptos.
Our government has messed up our economy so badly and I'm sooo glad that I am at least earning some Hive and encourage friends to sign up but it's not easy when people are so set in their ways and would rather vegetate in front of the television or social media every night!
Venezuela
Here we have a very good acceptance to cryptos and we considered a very good option because of the problems with our own money that disappeared and difficult to find. Some shops accept them. The only problem is the education in that, we need to teach about it and how to use it. I am sure Venezuela will become a country that will give a full acceptance to cryptos. After pandemic times people will start teaching about this topic at the universities, banks and any other organizations as it was being done.
Philippines
Cryptocurrency is a niche subject and has earned a negative reputation due to the early adopters. Back when bitcoin was nearing its all time high, most people are jumping the band wagon without understanding what crypto is about beyond virtual money. Most end up falling for pyramid scams even when the apparent price of bitcoin was falling. People here have little interest in crypto, at least, this comes from experience from how people react when the subject comes up.
There are services now available to cater to crypto and the threatened bans over regulating it have ceased due to Covid19. To try and people to subscribe to crypto here is like fighting an uphill battle unless you entice them with cheap tactics like "there's a lot of money to be made in short time", the typical pyramid scam that gave crypto here a bad name.
Overall, crypto here is less likely going to see popularity given how the country is distracted with other immediate matters (covid). But if ever things calm down and crypto happens to go boom in popularity again, most scammers will try to put up a string of pyramid schemes and just pushing our government to ban it altogether as a worst case scenario.
My students seem to be opening up to crypto a lot...two of them own a little bit, probably less than a few hundred usd worth though. Tokyo
Venezuela
Although everyone has heard about cryptocurrencies, blockchain, etc., actually, as we say here, few know "how do you eat that with". For most it is something difficult to understand, even the government launched a cryptocurrency, the Petro, backed by the country's oil and mining resources, but its implementation has not yet started as it should be because they have not activated many options to use it. If they did it would be an excellent alternative to beat the hyperinflation in which the country is plunged for various reasons.
Born in Louisiana and currently live in Georgia. I've only met a handful of people in either state that had any idea about Bitcoin or blockchain. I mined Bitcoin in Louisiana in 2016 and everyone thought I was insane. Maybe one day there will be more acceptance and adoption in the U.S.
Im from south carolina. Semi large city. Most folks here have never heard about cryptocurrency. But those that have, mainly the 20 something's are all about it. I guess because they are more computer and technically savy.
I am from France.
cryptos have a bad image, people think it is illegal and/or a scam.
45 % taxes on cash back to fiat (euro).
Few interesting projects:
http://hive.blog/@cleanplanet and http://hive.blog/@askanything will revolutionize the world.
I am from a pond and my cypto outlook is good
Deutschland/Germany
I did look above BTC and "Internet-Money" from a artice in the Time-Magazince 10 years ago. 2013, i tryed out to mine this "money" and hoped, it get a worth above the magic 1k line. Everybody lought about me if i tell them what i do...
Today. They are all quiete around me. So, i took a look in the future and say: Crypto/Blockchain do not change the world, but it give us a little piece of freedome. If you join the less right ones...
Thats why i am here.
Salve
Alucian
I am Indonesian
Most people know about cryptocurrency by doing trading here but just few people know what's a Blockchain means. The regulations on crypto have only been approved by the government in recent years, but about cryptocurrency there is still a debate about whether or not it is allowed because our country is partly Muslim, we need the clear rules. Blockchain technology has not been fully used, let alone by the government. But some start-ups have implemented a lot of Blockchain technology in the operation of their systems. There is still a lot of education about Blockchain and cryptocurrency in our society, I think when the government can fully support it, it will be easier to be accepted in our country, Indonesia. Thank you 😊
Indonesia
Many Indonesians do not know the crypto or blockchain world. They still have an oblique view on crypto because it cannot provide certainty. There is a need for education about crypto or blockchain so that it can increase public awareness here to use crypto as a transaction tool.
England or Taiwan, take your pick
I don't know really, I've hardly spoken to anyone recently, mt family know nothing about, the few friends that I've mentioned it to still think with a stock and shares mentality, they think if you buy up an exchange, you can control BTC
I'm from Venezuela
In my country, a certain part of the population uses this type of platform. As we have seen, there is a large Venezuelan community in Hive, and the high levels of inflation represent a great alternative.
In spite of this, the country has not developed an economy based on crypto and there are few commercial establishments that accept payments in cryptos.
A lot of education is needed about the handling and importance of cryptos, although there has been an attempt to impose on the market the petro, which is supposedly anchored to oil but people do not have confidence in it because it is not being handled in the best way, this would be one of the reasons why people are skeptical in my country.
As for my personal opinion, I consider this chain of blocks as an alternative to promote knowledge since I am a university professor and generate very valuable income.
I hope you are well and successful! 👍
I am in South Africa. I would like to believe that crypto is a new beginning. The world and services are dominated by controlling big players who care nought for the little people. I have had enough.
South Florida and no one knows about blockchain. I went on a date through a dating app, met a writer and explained Hive to her. She may end up joining. I've done my part :)
I hit like and swipe when a dude mentioned blockchain lmao
Forget about crypto or Blockchain. We don't have even PayPal yet. :/
I'm from Nigeria ... A few number of people are aware about blockchain although some are aware of different cryptos but in my country crypto is not really legal like that due to government issue and some unknown issues
The U.S.
Our government has been ambiguous on crypto regs but institutional investors are jumping onboard in droves.
This should be how all reposts or non-fresh hive content should be managed. Way to set a good example as a hive witness @acidyo.
This shows great principles my friend.
I am from morocco , same people know Bitcoin and more little know blockchaine.
I live in the country where unfortunately, the trading of cryptocurrency is banned and illegal.
Be patience, i know how that is!
One day it will be legal in your country. Becouse a technology who could not be beaten by the goverment, would be legal with the time to get the taxes from it. ;-)
Salve
Alucian
I think the biggest hindrance in this technology are our banking system. They think they would be collapsed if cryptocurrency takes over. Although it is not right.
Every lands governance and banking system got this fear in the past. Some act earlier, other miss acting today... But in long term, they all will do the same.
Adopting the technology.
Why? NOBODY can beat the BTC Network since two years. ;-)
Earlier they did got the chance, if they worked as one and worldwide. But they miss it, or the would miss it. I do not know and so i am one of the biggest critism of BTC for my lifetime too.
There are less, but some other way´s i go now. BTC is the flagship, but the best flagship is sinkable.
Hope i filled your mind up with that point of view.
Salve
Alucian
I'm from Nigeria. The whole of the general overview of the blockchain here from the grass root is very bad. Like I observe few months ago, people here do more of other things than the word Crypto just like me and every other person. It was when I joined Steemit back in the days and now Hive before I could get into the Crypto line a bit. We have people down in the grassroots who are more of farming, travelfeed, food preparation, drawingartist, ,Photography, vlogging, homesteading, Poet, fashion designer, music artist and more but we are struggling and striving to get to the top and meanwhile people are really ready to join the Hive community though. Thank you for this great question my friend.
Happy New Week.
Really? On every other platform but Hive, Nigerians are the biggest population and the one's gaming the platforms most that I've noticed.
All negative stories.
Yet people (cult members) here keep believing the world is MISSING OUT. No. Clearly not.
But keep the 'Twitter Madness' going.
A person who is participating in that (I forget who) said elsewhere "the Twitter thing: we're just promoting to ourselves, everyone else sees it as spam!"
@ithinkitsrose cool post to respond to!!
@min-joon, you too, this could be a fun lil' discussion. Imma answer this soon enough so.
I would love to communicate with an HIVE GAMING admin//Mod .I have uploaded a post (that I already deleted) from my boyfriend and one of my best friend Javie Er, about videogames, someone has unjustifiably reported me, I have uploaded these posts with the authorization of both people, someone who read the same post outside of HIVE misinterpreted it and accused me of scammer, however it has not been any plagiarism as it is 100% authorized by said creators. They have even helped me in the realization of the post. is there anything that can be done to remove the tag7label ? thanks.