...I should have been clearer: The post i was responding to suggested that a single bitcoin would suffice as the sum total of a country's currency (presumably because one bitcoin is divisible enough for everyone to trade in fractions). I tried to point out that it would be impossible for the simple reason that there's another 10+ million BTC, just like the one used by the unfortunate country, out in the wild. If that country valued that single bitcoin at, let's say, $200 billion (the printed total of fiat the country swapped for the bitcoin), then the other bitcoins would also be valued the same ($200 billion *each*). This, you must agree, is nonsense, unless 1 bitcoin was worth that much to begin with.
As things stand right now, with 1BTC = $105 (had to look up at the tab), trying to convert *a single country's* monetary system to use *a single bitcoin* is functionally equivalent to reducing all the fiat within that country to $105, while the rest of the world is still flooded with dollars. Something like that.
It is a simple explaination to those who believe that hoarders will cause the end of Bitcoin ("It might die to gambling"). They speak as if there will not be enough bitcoins left over because of all of the hoarders.
But one does not need millions in circulation as the 1 BTC for a country's economy highlights.
And by saying that one would simply just cash out your hoarded bitcoins if it reaches that high of a price kills the whole hoarding killing Bitcoin argument.
Stop it. The only thing the "1 BTC for a country economy" argument highlights is the fact that it's an absurd argument. Unless that country's economy is worth just $105 at today's rates. Reread my reply.
If that's still not clear, i'll use your example: "Just like how the US is fine with being *bought* for 18 trillion dollars?"
1. Imagine that trillion dollars being swapped for a single bitcoin.
2. Now that bitcoin is worth 18 trillion dollars, according to you.
3. There are other bitcoins in the world, more than 10 million of them, each one is now worth 18 billion dollars?
4. ? ? ? Why not?
Edit: The fundamental problem that exists for a country wishing to adopt bitcoin is the very problem i've outlined above. It's theoretically impossible for a country to adopt a currency like bitcoin *unless its extant value is substantially higher than the value of fiat it must replace.* Even when the country is willing to do everything short of collapsing its economy to do so.