Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have disrupted existing financial infrastructures, offering a decentralized means of exchange. As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently remarked during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin represent a “super logical” step on the technology tree. Altman hailed Bitcoin as an innovative global currency beyond government control capable of battling corruption.
The digital nature of these transactions can potentially reduce corrupt practices. At the same time, a world transacted with Bitcoin would foster greater transparency, which Altman views as instrumental in reducing corruption. This viewpoint does seem to downplay or ignore the fact that while transparency may increase in Bitcoin transactions, anonymous transactions may also increase, leading to hidden affairs that can foster corruption.
On the podcast, Joe Rogan also shared his optimism for Bitcoin, suggesting that its limited supply and decentralized mining could propel it to becoming a “universal viable currency.” This optimism brushes over the intense energy consumption and environmental impact associated with Bitcoin mining.
In the same dialogue, however, Altman and Rogan expressed their concern over Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), exposing what they perceive as attempts to turn the United States into a surveillance state. Rogan warned that CBDCs could grant governments excessive control over personal spending and tie financial activity to social credit scores. He did not address the potential benefits of CBDCs, such as improved national financial infrastructure and greater financial inclusion for unbanked populations.
Reservations about cryptocurrencies aren’t limited to CBDCs. Ripple’s chief technology officer, David Schwartz, commented on the controversy surrounding the introduction of an automated market maker (AMM) feature to the XRP Ledger (XRPL). He stressed on the need for community consensus before amendments are implemented, reflecting the democratic decision-making common in cryptocurrency communities.
While the adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies has been seen for its potential in offering a more transparent and equitable financial future, it also brings apprehensions about government control, environmental sustainability, and fairness in decentralized decision making. As technology develops and regulations adapt, the balance between these possibilities will shape the future of financial transactions. From the world of altcoins to concerns about CBDCs ripping away financial freedom, this space is a slow-brewing storm of potential and apprehension. Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are here to stay, but what they’ll look like in practice is still an open question, even in the minds of leading influencers like Sam Altman and Joe Rogan.
Source: Cointelegraph
