Archive for Cryptocurrency

Is Bitcoin The De Facto Reserve Cryptocurrency?

What is a reserve currency? This is the currency in which all other currencies are standardized against, and this measure is used for global trade, asset valuation, and account settlement. The current reserve currency is the U.S. dollar since it was the strongest currency after World War 2. The strength of the currency was based on its trade position, political influence, military might, resources available and liquidity/recognition in the investment world.

In the cryptocurrency world, Bitcoin serves this function as other cryptocurrencies are converted into Bitcoin to access most exchanges. Since Bitcoin has the brand recognition of being the first known cryptocurrency, it has the advantage of breaking milestones first.

Bitcoin was the largest cryptocurrency by market cap at the time of writing (January 2018), the first coin to be created in 2009 and the first currency to be utilized for futures trading around the world. Bitcoin is also the first decentralized currency in recent time, as there have been digital and electronic currencies created before and after Bitcoin that are not decentralized.

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Written by | Posted in Bitcoin • Cryptocurrency

Reporting Virtual Currency Transactions

With the price of Bitcoin hitting record highs in 2017, many Bitcoin holders cashed out not realizing the impact it could have on their tax bill. Many people, for example, did not understand that it was a reportable transaction and found themselves with a hefty tax bill–money they may have been hard-pressed to come up with at tax time. Others may have been unaware that they needed to report their transactions at all or failed to do so because it seemed too complicated.

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Written by | Posted in Bitcoin • Blockchain • Cryptocurrency

Blockchain And Corporate Taxation: Change Is Coming

When it comes to blockchain technology, a majority of people understand it has something to do with Bitcoin (BTC) and that’s about it. While it’s true that the popular cryptocurrency relies on blockchain, BTC represents a relatively insignificant portion of the blockchain market share. The implications of blockchain adaptation are far-reaching, with the potential to not just disrupt, but foundationally change the way most industries operate.

While the technology can sound quite complex, a blockchain is essentially an immutable, distributed ledger. This means that instead of a single, third-party record holder, every authorized party within the blockchain holds an instantly updated record of all transactions. Blockchain maintains data integrity this way because it’s virtually impossible to alter the data of every single ledger. Any discrepancies found will be compared against every ledger and any fraudulent data found will be disregarded. Read More

Written by | Posted in Bitcoin • Blockchain • Cryptocurrency

Another Cryptocurrency Primer Of Our Cyber Universe: Who, What, And Why They Differ

  1. Who are the major players I think you should be aware of
  2. What’s a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)?
  3. If Cyber Currency is so Great, Why are there so many challenges in the Community?
  4. My Crystal Ball

The cryptocurrency, or digital currently world is complex with a few core leaders and hundreds, if not thousands, of related active alternatives. All are predicated on the concept of the Blockchain or often referred to as the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). While the core history of Bitcoin and its related alternatives is fairly accessible via a simplified web search, popular media, and even “analog” books, I have determined that far too many do not understand the differences and similarities between and among these various alternative coins (Alt Coins). Read More

Written by | Posted in Cryptocurrency • TaxConnections

What Is Cryptocurrency?

There is plenty of misunderstanding about the definition of cryptocurrency. Wikipedia’s well-researched entry on the topic defines “cryptocurrency” as follows (with their links included):

[Cryptocurrency is] a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange that uses cryptography to secure its transactions, to control the creation of additional units, and to verify the transfer of assets. Cryptocurrencies are a type of digital currencies, alternative currencies and virtual currencies. Cryptocurrencies use decentralized control as opposed to centralized electronic money and central banking systems. Read More

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Do Not Let Cryptocurrency Crimp Your Relationship With The IRS

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are becoming more popular as a form of payment and as investment. However, there has been little attention paid to how this virtual currency will be treated by the IRS until now. In fact, the IRS is taking a much closer look and has established some tax guidelines.

According to an article published in accountingtoday.com, “For federal tax purposes, virtual currency is treated as property and not currency.” They add, “The fair market value of the virtual currency on the date of receipt determines the taxpayer’s basis.”

Some businesses are actually paying employee wages in virtual currency instead of U.S. dollars. Read More

Written by | Posted in Cryptocurrency • Currency • IRS

The Crypto Battlefield: Financial Visionaries Vs. The Regulators

Mark Twain has been credited with expressing that “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes,” Regardless of who crafted the sentiment; it is clearly consistent with my experience associated with some disruptive technologies that are showing up in today’s financial markets.

Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer once stated, “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”

Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT), the underlying software system that is simply and commonly referred to as Blockchain is an example of this “Truth”. This DLT system uses the collective computing power of many autonomous systems all agreeing on factual transactions covered by a specific ledger (e.g. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash, etc.). Read More

Written by | Posted in Cryptocurrency • Currency

Is Your Cryptocurrency IRS Approved?

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are becoming more popular as a form of payment and as investment. However, there has been little attention paid to how this virtual currency will be treated by the IRS until now. In fact, the IRS is taking a much closer look and has established some tax guidelines.

According to an article published in accountingtoday.com, “For federal tax purposes, virtual currency is treated as property and not currency.” They add, “The fair market value of the virtual currency on the date of receipt determines the taxpayer’s basis.”

Some Businesses Are Actually Paying Employee Wages In Virtual Currency Instead Of U.S. Dollars Read More

Written by | Posted in Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency: A Story And Tax Consequences

Thinking about writing about Bitcoin, I remembered my maverick of an Economics teacher back in high school in Mumbai, India whose very thick south Indian accent meant we did not know what he was saying more than half the time. He started off the chapter on currency by having everyone in class remain standing till we came up with a definition for “Money”. Thankfully someone said “medium of exchange” real quick!

Although the underlying meaning of currency remains the same, the simple concept of a medium of exchange has undergone several upgrades particularly so with the cryptocurrency or digital payment systems known more commonly as Bitcoin.

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Written by | Posted in Cryptocurrency • IRS
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