Sigh, it's frustrating that some people in here don't even know what the term "ponzi" means. Let me unfold it for you then:
Bitcoin is not a ponzi scheme
Wikipedia defines a ponzi scheme in the following way:
"A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation where the operator, an individual or organization, pays returns to its investors from new capital paid to the operators by new investors, rather than from profit earned by the operator. Operators of Ponzi schemes usually entice new investors by offering higher returns than other investments, in the form of short-term returns that are either abnormally high or unusually consistent. The perpetuation of the high returns requires an ever-increasing flow of money from new investors to sustain the scheme."
Now let's see if that fits bitcoin:
-Does bitcoin have central authority? No.
-Does bitcoin pay returns to its investors? No.
-Does bitcoin require an ever increasing flow of money to sustain it? No.
Bitcoin is not a Ponzi scheme. It's a true innovation in computer science and solves a well known problem called the Byzantine Generals problem.
It's a new type of monetary system based on mathematics and rare numbers. That's why it's a game changer. That's why we see 5-10 million investments to bitcoin startups every week. It has nothing to do with a Ponzi scheme.
http://www.ted.com/conversations/23415/bitcoin_is_not_a_ponzi_scheme.htmlThat doesn't mean its not very similar
. A pyramid scheme may be a better definition.
Seriously, I don't really believe its either, but when you come back with retort like this...
Look, I'm not in for the short answer, "If you don't get it, get yourself out". I believe the BTC idea is unique, exquisite and brilliant. It's the vehicle towards a better world if you prefer, with the utter goal of a non-monetary society. It's ok that most people don't "get it" - most people I know don't get the basics of the current banking system, does this renders it unusable for them? Of course not!
This is not the place - nor the time to start unfolding social schemes and theoretical models, in order to persuade any of you here, that the old system is dead and buried for quite sometime now, but the short story is, if we get going like this, within 5 years DJ will be in the area of 100,000; QE will be something that you and I will be using EVERY DAY; even to buy our groceries (you can name it a coupon if you like) and less and less people will store big amounts of fiat while others (the many) will continue to starve.
THIS MUST CHANGE. I don't care if it's called Bitcoin; Monero, Doge or whatever. We are in NEED of a better system to do business. Period.
You don't like Pyramidic systems? Me neither. So let's come up with a better idea. I'm in for the better. Are you? I will be your follower.