Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Kiplinger logoLink to homepage
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Save up to 76%
Subscribe
Subscribe to Kiplinger
  • Store
  • Home
  • Investing
  • Retirement
  • Taxes
  • Personal Finance
  • Your Business
  • Wealth Creation
    • Podcasts
    • Economic Outlooks
    • Tools
    • Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
    • The Kiplinger Letter
    • The Kiplinger Tax Letter
    • Kiplinger's Investing for Income
    • Kiplinger's Retirement Report
    • Store
    • Manage My E-Newsletters
    • My Subscriptions
Skip advert
  • Home
  • investing
  • cryptocurrency
cryptocurrency

5 Threats to Cryptocurrency Dominance

Can cryptocurrency eventually replace traditional fiat? Maybe ... but it will have to navigate several considerable obstacles first.

by: Riley Adams
June 16, 2021
Cryptocurrencies

Getty Images

Skip advert

Many have touted cryptocurrency as the future of money, commerce and investment. That's largely because of its lack of centralized control, ability to store value, frictionless transacting and democratized access to the world financial system.

All of this means people need not rely on central banks or governments for facilitating transactions, managing the supply of money, nor any other function of traditional fiat currency.

Cryptocurrencies bypass this central command and control by using open-source decentralized ledgers called blockchains to record all transactions since each coin's beginning.

But while these records of account do a remarkable job at combating things such as fraud, theft and other problems commonly found in traditional financial systems, digital currencies still face numerous hurdles to legitimacy and widespread adoption.

Read on as we look at some of the best-known risks to cryptocurrencies becoming a replacement to fiat currency.

  • 8 Top Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Stocks
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

1 of 5

Open Access

Blockchain concept art

Getty Images

Skip advert

A quick refresher: Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services. It uses an online ledger called blockchain with strong cryptography to secure online transactions.

The first and most famous cryptocurrency is Bitcoin. However, thousands of cryptocurrencies exist, with the total asset class exceeding a $2 trillion market capitalization earlier this year.

Every transaction recorded across these cryptocurrencies over time has been recorded on a blockchain, verifying who rightly owned coins in a public ledger.

The thing is, it's not just transactions that get recorded to blockchains.

Hidden surprises are sometimes buried in the code. From pictures of Nelson Mandela to prayers for miners, tributes to the fallen, pranks and even WikiLeaks data, the Bitcoin blockchain contains all kinds of non-financial information.

By virtue of how the blockchain works, every subsequent block added to the chain must contain every previous block to maintain a legitimate recording of events. Otherwise, the security of the blockchain fails and it can no longer be trusted.

While the previous list contains mostly harmless items, cryptocurrency's openness in the mining process exposes it to much more nefarious types of content getting added to the blockchain for each coin.

This could be something that threatens governments, corporations, even specific people. And the only way to remove something from the blockchain is to force a "fork" of the blockchain, meaning the cryptocurrency then fragments into multiple parallel cryptocurrencies and blockchains.

If objectively harmful content gets added to the new blockchains, forcing fork after fork, this could spell trouble for the chance of stability for these coins, as well as their broader adoption.

  • NFTs: What Are They, And How Do They Work?
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

2 of 5

Environmental Footprint

Coal-fired power plant

Getty Images

Skip advert

Crypto miners – groups who employ sophisticated, energy intensive machines to solve complex algorithms in exchange for cryptocurrency – add new transactions to the blockchain.

This system relies on a "Proof of Work" methodology, whereby crypto miners compete with ever-increasing computing power to solve the algorithm before others. As a reward for solving the puzzle, the winning miner receives a nominal amount of the cryptocurrency. This motivates miners to continue mining, as well as invest in their operations.

However, concerns have arisen about the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies who use this transaction verification process.

Many see the massive electricity consumption of these cryptomining operations as a problem. The energy used by these crypto operations has a large portion come from "dirty" coal-fired power plants which produce significant CO2 emissions.

Indeed, "dirty cryptomining" might already be responsible for more pollution than America's largest airline, according to Financial Times.

Not all cryptocurrency coins use this transaction verification system. Some rely on a "Proof of Stake" system whereby servers use consensus polling to identify the correct transactional history of a currency. This process uses far less energy than the Proof of Work system employed by a coin like Bitcoin.

Before cryptocurrency lands in the mainstream, it might need to clean up its act.

  • Dogecoin's a Joke. Don't Make Yourself the Punchline.
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

3 of 5

Key Person Risk

Elon Musk making a goofy pose

Getty Images

Skip advert

Cryptocurrency doesn't have centralized control. It goes against the currency's purpose and is largely a reason for its success.

However, in recent years, Elon Musk has become wildly popular in the crypto community, and it sees him as its biggest booster.

Musk's company, Tesla (TSLA), became the first S&P 500 constituent to invest in Bitcoin as a means to broaden the company's appeal. Tesla also said in March that buyers could use the digital currency to purchase its vehicles. This move, and its step toward legitimizing cryptocurrency, sparked a rally in most cryptocurrencies.

With media comments and tweets, Musk has influenced billions of dollars to flow into these virtual coins ... but he has triggered outflows, too. For instance, in mid-May, Tesla said it would no longer be accepting Bitcoin payments because of its environmental impact.

More recently, Musk tweaked his company's policies again, tweeting that "When there's confirmation of reasonable (~50%) clean energy usage by miners with positive future trend, Tesla will resume allowing Bitcoin transactions."

This back-and-forth exerts real pressure on cryptocurrency prices, in both directions. And Musk's emergence as a backer of Bitcoin and the broader crypto space has complicated digital currencies' decentralized control narrative. His words hold significant sway on the asset class and how people see it.

Some people who want crypto to replace fiat currencies likely don't enjoy seeing this mercurial celebrity entrepreneur influence the space so thoroughly. Moves like pulling the plug on accepting Bitcoin, or showing continued enthusiasm for Dogecoin, a coin created as a joke, are understandably grinding.

Cryptocurrencies now face a "key person risk" from Musk – something that's out of step with cryptocurrency's founding ethos.

  • PODCAST: Bitcoin Explained with Tyrone Ross
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

4 of 5

Government Regulation

A businessman whose hands are bound by red tape

Getty Images

Skip advert

Cryptocurrencies maintain their independence through market-driven processes to build their blockchains like mining and consensus polling. This prevents fraud, counterfeiting and centralized control.

It also makes them largely immune to governmental regulation because of miners' abilities to relocate to anywhere in the world. So long as miners can secure the necessary power and hardware necessary, they can be location-agnostic.

Governments have largely been unsuccessful in banning cryptocurrencies in their own borders. In fact, the current system of the globalized internet makes it nearly impossible. According to Pat Larsen, CEO of crypto tax software company ZenLedger, every country would have to create "a walled internet like China and then [try] to ban cryptocurrency inside their firewall."

While governments might not have the power to ban cryptocurrencies outright, they can certainly ban their use cases. China recently signaled a warning about using virtual currencies as a form of payment.

Despite actions like this, regulators cannot ban all cryptocurrency because of its virtual, decentralized nature. As a sign of their resilience against governmental control, Larsen states, "[attempts] to ban cryptocurrency often [prove the coins'] worth as citizens seek to acquire ways to flee a failing currency or state. Oppressive regimes spawn innovation and black markets time and again."

That doesn't mean governments won't keep trying to find ways to limit the prevalence of cryptocurrencies. Indeed, their desire not to cede control of the financial system should only strengthen as this asset class grows in value.

  • 9 Ways to Cut Crypto Taxes Down to the Bone
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

5 of 5

Stable, State-Controlled Virtual Currencies

Group of 20 flags

Getty Images

Skip advert

If you can't beat them, join them.

Governments have made numerous overtures at their displeasure with cryptocurrencies circumventing their hegemony. To this point, many of their concerted actions have failed to quell the crypto-mania we've seen in recent years.

In response, governments and their central banks can opt to launch their own state-controlled virtual currencies. These would have centralized control and have the explicit backing and support by governments.

This wouldn't necessarily extinguish the current spate of virtual currencies, but it could potentially cripple their market value. Though, even with state-controlled stablecoins, one main area that existing virtual currencies could still add value is continued innovation.

If cryptocurrencies seek to replace fiat currency as a global resource and become a widely accepted form of payment, store of value and unit of account, it'll need to address some of the security concerns, clean up its environmental act, as well as quell government displeasure with their existence.

No easy feats by any measure, but not impossible, either.

  • From Bitcoin to GameStop to SPACs: 8 Tips for Mania Investing
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert
  • cryptocurrency
Share via EmailShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert
Skip advert

Recommended

Got Cryptocurrency or NFTs? They Need to Be in Your Estate Plan
cryptocurrency

Got Cryptocurrency or NFTs? They Need to Be in Your Estate Plan

Handled incorrectly, these popular assets could go poof. You need a password-sharing plan, a plan for naming beneficiaries and possibly a trust.
May 23, 2022
Coinbase: Users’ Crypto Assets Would Be at Risk in Bankruptcy
cryptocurrency

Coinbase: Users’ Crypto Assets Would Be at Risk in Bankruptcy

Coinbase Global CEO tries to calm users after a recent filing said they could lose access to their cryptocurrencies if the company entered bankruptcy …
May 11, 2022
Now You Can Own Bitcoin in 401(k)s. Should You?
cryptocurrency

Now You Can Own Bitcoin in 401(k)s. Should You?

Fidelity will begin allowing investors to put Bitcoin in their 401(k)s. But is this retirement vehicle the right place to hold crypto?
April 29, 2022
5 Dumb Crypto Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
cryptocurrency

5 Dumb Crypto Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Check out our easy tips to keeping your digital wallet safe from cryptocurrency scams … and from yourself.
April 22, 2022

Most Popular

Education is Key: 3 Financial Lessons for Retirees Nearing Retirement
retirement planning

Education is Key: 3 Financial Lessons for Retirees Nearing Retirement

When it comes to retirement planning, educating yourself can keep you from making big mistakes. Here are three key lessons that everyone preparing for…
May 24, 2022
Your Guide to Roth Conversions
Special Report
Tax Breaks

Your Guide to Roth Conversions

A Kiplinger Special Report
February 25, 2021
Why Are Gas Prices Still Going Up?
spending

Why Are Gas Prices Still Going Up?

The cost of a gallon of gas is heading back toward its March highs. What’s driving the resurgence, and will gas prices go down anytime soon?
May 23, 2022
  • Customer Service
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us (PDF)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Kiplinger Careers
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Preferences

Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Save up to 76%Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Do Not Sell My Information

Kiplinger is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site www.futureplc.com
© Future US LLC, 10th floor, 1100 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. All rights reserved.

Follow us on InstagramFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterConnect on LinkedInConnect on YouTube