Cryptocurrency is something that has been around for quite a few years, but few people knew about until recently. In 2017, the price of Bitcoin was raised by more than 700%, and early investors were suddenly substantially richer. Since then, Bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency have been the hottest new investment, and many people who may have been skeptical before are now clamoring for a piece of the profit. Cryptocurrency functions through peer-to-peer transactions, and many people use it to pay for goods and services. Cryptocurrency works without a central bank or single administrator, which can seem confusing, but several universities and online learning sites are now offering courses on the subject, to help the average person understand the system.
Canadian speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen recently became the first athlete to accept payment in the form of cryptocurrency after landing sponsorships with crypto community ONG Social and CEEK VR, a leading virtual reality developer. While many skeptics initially questioned the legitimacy of accepting payment via cryptocurrency, Bloeman feels that his partnerships with ONG Social and CEEK VR are beneficial for all parties involved, noting that it is an opportunity for his sponsors to gain more exposure, as well as himself. Some feel that this will have a positive impact on the sports marketing industry and really change the game for years to come.
Though some people still prefer to make and receive payments in regular currency, more and more people are beginning to warm up to cryptocurrency. As of 2015, over 100,000 merchants accept Bitcoin as payment, and the number of both merchants and individual people using cryptocurrency for transactions continues to rise. However, navigating the world of cryptocurrency can be challenging for the average person who has never used such technology before. Luckily, several universities and online learning sites are now offering courses in cryptocurrency, in order to help students better understand how to use it. Each course covers topics such as how to buy Bitcoin, cryptocurrency regulations, and anonymity of cryptocurrency users. The purpose of these courses is to help students gain an understanding of cryptocurrency and prepare them for the future of cryptocurrency technology. Bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrency have been making waves in the technology world, especially over the last year, and seem to be making lasting impressions on the technological landscape.
