As so many of our followers know (and love?) FintekNews has been predicting parity for bitcoin and gold for a very long time. In fact we even had a contest to when and what price that would occur. Well it happened last week. So, our super brilliant and efficient IT specialist Michael Fabing sent us a story of "how did we get here (bitcoin/gold)". Very cool and with charts, pictures and even words. Read them 'cause its history.
(Bill Taylor/CEO)
"Would you rather have one bitcoin, or a single ounce of gold?
The answer used to be obvious. Even at the climax of the legendary 2013 rally, bitcoin was never able to reach unit-for-unit parity with gold.
However, since an off-year in 2014, the enigmatic cryptocurrency has steadily climbed in price to take the title of the best-performing currency in both 2015 and 2016. And today? After continuing its rally into 2017, the price of bitcoin has now passed this arbitrary, but psychologically important measure of parity with an ounce of gold.
How did we get here so fast?
Bitcoin: A Short History
Here are some of the most important events that have shaped the bitcoin market:
May 2010: The famous “Bitcoin Pizza” transaction takes place.
This is one of the first “real world” transactions, in which one man indirectly paid 10,000 BTC for two Papa John’s pizzas. That works out to a pretty steep price of over $6 million per pizza using today’s prices, but we are sure they were delicious. Today, May 22 is still celebrated as “Bitcoin Pizza Day” throughout the Bitcoin community.
February 2011: Bitcoin hits “dollar parity”.
October 2012: Bitpay says 1,000 merchants accept bitcoin payments.
Early adopters of the cryptocurrency included WordPress.com, Reddit, OKCupid, and The Pirate Bay.
Mar 2013: Cyprus bank bail-in.
Generally speaking, the European Debt Crisis was a major boon for bitcoin. However, this specific event really put the potential downsides of the banking system and centralized fiat currencies in the limelight.
Oct 2013: Silk Road Bust
As prices were soaring at the end of 2013, the FBI seized 26,000 BTC from Silk Road and its alleged owner, Ross Ulbricht.
Feb 2014: Mt. Gox files for bankruptcy protection
The world’s biggest exchange, which at one point controlled 70% of bitcoin transactions, was plagued with hacks and other problems. It finally went under in 2014.
Aug 2015: By this point, 160,000 merchants accept bitcoin payments
Dec 2016: Bitcoin is the world’s top performing currency for 2nd straight year...."
Read Full Article With Charts at VisualCapitalist