Published in March 18, 2025
A huge amount has been written about Bitcoin (BTC) since it was created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto. Yet, there are still millions of people who haven’t considered whether the original digital asset could be right for them. What are the main points to take into account when you’re weighing up whether to buy this virtual asset or not?
Nakamoto was the pseudonymous author of the white paper titled Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. This document reveals that the original intention was to create a way of sending peer-to-peer payments without needing to go through a bank or other central authority. While we’ve heard more about Bitcoin’s potential for making money in recent years, its core function as a payment method remains intact, with many types of businesses now accepting these virtual coins.
By 2022, it was reported by Bitcoin Magazine that more than 400 Australian retailers accepted BTC as a payment method. According to Statista, Melbourne has the highest number of digital asset businesses in the country, followed by Sydney and then Brisbane.
The fast transaction speeds and excellent security have made digital assets a popular choice online for a whole host of activities. This has resulted in the arrival of Bitcoin casino options in Australia. These sites offer a whole range of pokies in many different themes, such as Tiki Wins and Arrogant Pirates, as well as table games.
As it’s the leading virtual money, it’s no surprise to see that BTC is accepted by many providers, but it’s worth noting that other popular tokens like Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Ethereum are also widely accepted. If you want to play some games online but don’t want the volatility of BTC, a stablecoin such as Tether provides a different approach with many of the same benefits as Bitcoin.
While Bitcoin was originally envisioned as a currency for carrying out transactions, people quickly realized that its value was growing rapidly. The deflationary model it uses and the scarcity of tokens meant that it soon became regarded as a store of value or a form of digital gold.
While the price volatility makes it difficult to work out how much Bitcoin could be worth in the future, MicroStrategy Executive Michael Saylor has been working on a plan for the US to buy a million BTC and create a strategic reserve that he believes would establish the country’s financial future. If this plan goes ahead, it could lead to a race among nations to buy the remaining Bitcoin before the full 21 million allocation is taken.
One option for getting tokens is to use mining software. Of course, this has a cost because you need to pay for the electricity used to run the mining software, but it can be an attractive choice in some cases. Using an online mining profitability calculator will help you to see if it’s worthwhile or not.
One of the key issues with your financial health is how to keep your cash safe, particularly if it grows. While many people are naturally wary of a form of digital money that is still relatively new, the fact is that the Bitcoin network has never been hacked. Any hacks or scams you’ve read about are based on breaches of exchange platforms or phishing attacks. Bitcoin stored offline in a cold wallet is as safe as we can currently make an asset, provided that you don’t lose the key or seed phrase.
For some people, this might prove to be a useful way of keeping part of their funds separate from the rest. Rather than trusting a bank or some other institution, they can take full control of their money, which is an extremely appealing option for those who would prefer not to trust the traditional institutions. Of course, losing the password can cause problems, as this Chainanalysis report from 2020 explains, but it’s still a viable solution for many people.
The rise to prominence of Bitcoin in mainstream media has led to many questions about whether it’s a good financial option or should be avoided. It clearly isn’t going to be right for everyone, but there are enough interesting points and potential benefits to make looking into this further a promising idea.
While we at Tippla will always do our best to provide you with the information you need to financially thrive, it’s important to note that we’re not debt counsellors, nor do we provide financial advice. Be sure to speak to your financial services professional before making any decisions.
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