Fahdis
Member
While blockchain has its uses the network associated with it (since we are talking specifically about Ethereum) is extremely expensive to maintain in terms of environmental impact. There are currently dozens of millions of cards maintaining these infrastructure under the promise of being rewarded every so often (being that bitcoins or gas or whatever), each network consuming more energy than whole countries. As reward rate diminishes they might jump to different networks making the networks much slower, especially if a large number of end users join the network. And if Ethereum were to split again and you end up in the "wrong" side of the split, your whole business might be forced to stay there. It's interesting how we humans say contamination is bad but are all in for "decentralization" even if that means much more contamination.
And theoretically speaking quantum computers can literally break these algorithms, it just requires someone (as in, a team of talented people) with both cryptography and quantum computing knowledge to rewrite the algorithms to calculate any hash immediately (or, in other words, mine every bitcoin left in the pool in a matter of days).
Until a some time ago 90% of the bitcoins were held by Chinese companies so in some ways it's kind of depending on a group of people in a foreign country.
1. You're talking about PoW vs. PoS. Ethereum has shifted to PoS. Bitcoin is the only one left. And also the reason its at 60K at the moment due to perception of value. Once the ESG standard hit for different regions, we will see where regulations take us.
2. You're also taking about Forks. They only happen when majority vote to change something or the Blockchain was compromised.
3. Quantum resistance is also a thing and being worked on as we speak. But yea, your point stands. The protocol level tools can be utterly destroyed. But to work Quantum, you'd have to spend alot of money to hack up seed phrases.
4. Not really, Exchanges run 24/7 unlike the traditional stock market. As of now America owns the most Bitcoin in terms of individual retention and Blackrock including other American funds buying it up.