I think it's time to face reality... Darkcoin seems unable to break out of a small core group of believers. Something obviously needs to give
I see it just the opposite. Now is the point in time when the adoption can actually start. It has all been just speculation up until now.
+101
Speculation to a point. Investing, is more representative.
These are my views on targeting specific areas (wrote them many months ago, so may need updating):
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While regulators focus on establishing rules that they feel comfortable with, the opportunities for crypto currency use over the short to medium-term remains around those areas of trade that court anonymity the most, taking into account the existing demographic of crypto coin users:
* Porn - Those that are thinking of using Bitcoin to pay for porn, the driving factor for internet adoption and innovation since the late 1990s, will be concerned when the media begin to talk about the lack of privacy and anonymity that bitcoin has. Anonymity payment tools are more suited to porn use than Bitcoin.
* Sex Workers - Those looking to legally pay for sex and companionship would potentially welcome a privacy centric electronic payment method enabling them to keep transactions off credit cards and off the radar of any spouses. In addition, sex workers and porn stars are increasingly being denied banking facilities for unexplained reasons and because of this denial of access to the banking system payment tools such as Darkcoin assist both the customer and the vendor.
* Legal Fire Arms - As it is legal to pay for licensed firearms with cash with accompanying ID, using eCash could be even more convenient, including the ability to enable advance payments and deposits to be paid and large transactions to be conducted without the accompanying personal risks of carrying physical cash.
* Tax Avoidance Subject to seeking professional assistance, there could be benefits from using Darkcoin to avoid any unnecessary tax payments. However, careful tax planning is required to ensure that tax avoidance, which is legal, does not unwittingly lead to tax evasion which is generally illegal. For example, redeeming value to fiat in a tax free country or jurisdiction is a planning option that is open to some who can transfer their material place of residence to benefit from tax exempt status.
* Oppression As pointed out by the Bitcoin Foundation Chairman, using privacy tools can be of value to those living in controlled States or under oppressive financial circumstances.
* Drugs Soft drugs such as marijuana are not universally banned or illegal in every country or jurisdiction. With vendors having difficulties with securing bank accounts and having to deal in cash, eCash offers a more secure middle ground option for vendors and a safe way for purchasers to buy legal drugs without fear of being stigmatized. Where it is legal to do so, eCash may also enable internet and mail orders for those merchants that cannot access banking facilities where banks withhold services without proper justification.
While there is a desire to move into ordinary financial transactions, the initial adoption phase will likely involve some or all of these sectors. The transition to mainstream eCash needs to be weighed up with pragmatic short-term cash flow and brand building needs in mind.
* Beating corruption Charitable giving is made significantly easier with digital currencies. Projects all around the world can be easily supported with just a few clicks. Governments too may find that sending digital cash aide direct to the source needing funding might be easier and less prone to skimming by corrupt administrators. Using technology such as Darkcoin, such charity or government assistance would be untraceable and would avoid putting local people at risk of reprisals from corrupt officials missing out on their skim.
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The fact that ASIA / China accounts for over 70% of BTC at the moment, probably 80% of LTC, means the initial focus is either on getting some traction in the market, or focusing on dividing the market to East = BTC/LTC, and West = DRK.
A really good market that bridges East and West is online gaming which is why I did some research on it for gaming operators.
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.8585129