Bitcoin: The World’s Most Expensive Souvenir Coin?

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Well, slap my wallet and call me skeptical, but it turns out that Bitcoin, the digital darling of the financial world, might just be the most overhyped coffee coaster since the Pet Rock. According to a survey by GoMining-a name that sounds like something out of a 19th-century gold rush but with more pixels-55% of Bitcoin holders have never actually used it to buy anything more substantial than, say, a pixelated monkey NFT.

Yes, you read that right. Over 5,700 Bitcoin enthusiasts (or, as I like to call them, “HODLers with hope”) admitted that their crypto wallets are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine when it comes to real-world transactions. And why? Well, it’s not like they’re short on excuses.

The Great Crypto Infrastructure Mirage

First up, the classic complaint: there’s nowhere to spend it. A whopping 49% of respondents (that’s 2,663 people who apparently haven’t heard of PayPal) moaned that most merchants still treat Bitcoin like it’s a foreign currency from a country that doesn’t exist. GoMining’s CEO, Mark Zalan, put it bluntly: “People won’t form a new habit if they have to go on a treasure hunt just to spend their digital gold.” Touché, Mark. Touché.

But wait, there’s more! Another 44.7% (2,400 souls) griped about high fees, while 26.8% (1,440 folks) whined about transaction times that make a snail’s pace look like Usain Bolt. Bitcoin’s proof-of-work system, it seems, is about as efficient as a unicycle in a marathon. Who knew that paying more in fees than the cost of your latte could be such a buzzkill?

Stablecoins: The Crypto World’s Comfort Blanket

Then there’s the volatility issue. Over 43% of respondents (2,330 individuals who clearly haven’t embraced the thrill of financial rollercoasters) said they’re not keen on using Bitcoin for daily payments because its price jumps around more than a kangaroo on a trampoline. Enter stablecoins, the crypto equivalent of a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. As Zalan pointed out, “People want predictability, not a financial heart attack every time they buy a sandwich.”

“The confirmations need to be fast, and the customer needs to know what to expect from receipts or dispute handling. That’s why stablecoin settlement and card-style systems are drawing so much attention; they lower friction for merchants while keeping the flow familiar. Rewards can help people try it at first, but they only stick if fees are low and you can actually use it everywhere.”

And let’s not forget the 36.2% (1,942 people) who are convinced that every crypto transaction is one step away from a Nigerian prince scam. Because, let’s face it, who needs security when you can have paranoia?

When asked if crypto should be used more for payments, Zalan shrugged and said, “Not really.” He added, with the kind of wisdom that only comes from years of watching the crypto circus, “Bitcoin can play a payment role, but let’s not kid ourselves-it’s more of a settlement layer than a Starbucks card. Other tokens? They’re like the Swiss Army knives of the digital world: useful for some things, utterly baffling for others.”

“Bitcoin can play a payment role, often as a settlement and reserve layer that allows faster rails above it. However, there are numerous other tokens that are better viewed as utility for networks, tools for governance, or even as risks, not as money,” he added.

So, there you have it. Bitcoin: the currency of the future, or just the world’s most expensive souvenir coin? Only time-and a lot more infrastructure-will tell.

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2026-01-25 02:05