Most countries have 100% or more tax import, if you buy on theses countries a gpu, tax is low cause price of gpu is low and that is related to how import tax is charged, now asics are expensive, so most of the world can't buy asics cause if for you as you must live in tax-free country then you will pay $12k now think about $24k or more for them. For gpu's don't work like that, maximum they will pay more is 30% tax. So people around the world can still compete if 30%, if 100% no. Also those countries might never give you the hardware, gpus they don't care, is a computer hardware, they will never take it from you. GPU's are used for gaming, bitcoin asics only for money. I have seen in many cases customs of many countries charged 500% to 1000% if they found out is a bitcoin altcoin asic and in many cases they took from you without any notice and there is nothing you can do.
So my point is, if you knew this and yet sided with asics then it means you do not believe in decentralization cause like many you are a greedy bastard and want centralization cause you use that to your advantage.
Right now you can buy ASICs considerably cheaper than a GPU rig so what the hell are you talking about?
So lets say I have to pay $1500 for an asic, then pay a 100% tax im sitting at $3000 for the ASIC. If I want to build a 6 card 1080 Ti rig im looking at $7000 before taxes at current prices. So how is it that ASICs are a barrier based on cost when they are cheaper, more reliable, easier to use, etc....?
The centralization argument still holds no water because there are MASSIVE GPU farms out there just like for ASICs. I mean I manage over 10,000 GPUs in my facility alone.
Hey, are you kidding?
GPUs are easier to find, you can find on stores, resellers, local websites etc
GPUs are more reliable, most of brands have 2 or 3 years warranty
I am brazilian, and in my country it's impossible to import an Asic or buy here
Our imports take more than 90 days to arrive, we have to pay 100% of taxes and another taxes to company who delivers
You only pay 7000 dollars on a 6 1080ti rig if you are a troll, it's not so difficulty to find cheaper GPUs even now
And your comparisson of a 1500 dollars Asic vs 6 1080 ti rig is nonsense...
Good post and that says the guy with "10,000 GPUs in my facility", he must be spoiled to not see how things are around the world. He does not understand what means to be playing with the same rules, i guess he will never understand what is a worldwide fair competition. It's funny, he owns "10,000 GPUs in my facility" and yet defending asics, its unbelievable his level of denial.