The Cryptocurrency vs Fiat Currency Debate!

Cryptocurrency vs Fiat Currency

The Cryptocurrency vs fiat currency debate provides a broad introduction to the differences between the two currencies. It discusses why crypto is such an exciting prospect for this new financial landscape and how cryptocurrency can help in specific industries such as finance, healthcare, and energy.

Overall, it offers fascinating information on where crypto is headed over time.

Cryptocurrencies serve as an overarching resource for business leaders to consider incorporating blockchain technology into their existing supply chain models or be ahead of some of their competitors by adopting more innovative financial structures in conjunction with cryptocurrency payment models. If you are into Bitcoin investment, you also need to know about the Pros and Cons of Trading Bitcoin. 

The use of blockchain, as well as cryptocurrency at large, is not a new concept. Blockchain and crypto have long been seen as tools for the future regarding payment structures in specific industries (especially those with international reach). Leaders must further consider how they can mould these tools into their business practices and supply chains today.

The below-listed portion begins by offering a general overview of the differences between cryptocurrency vs fiat currency. Next, it highlights that crypto can be used anywhere in the world by anyone with access to the internet, while fiat currency relies on a centralized banking system.

Finally, further information is provided on how regulation around cryptocurrency varies depending on country regulations and what trends impact its current growth pattern moving forward. 

General Overview of Cryptocurrency vs Fiat Currency

The primary use of cryptocurrency is to replace fiat currency. They are commonly used for cashless payment or exchange due to not needing to trust a third party. In addition, they have been used as payment for goods and services.  

In some cases where regulations require it, commercial banks can only hold cryptocurrency in their reserves as part of a reserve system. It poses an interesting problem for merchants who may want to buy crypto because of its price volatility, but if the merchant does not have access to a bank account, they will not be able to purchase crypto on the market.

Furthermore, Fiat currency is utterly centralized, which means its control is centralized in the hands of the government or a power (institution or individual) issuing currency. 

Crypto products are not fully legalized and regulated – There are some countries (like Japan and Korea) where cryptocurrencies are legally recognized as money. There’s a tax on cryptocurrency exchanges, but in other countries, cryptocurrency is not considered a valid currency because a central bank does not back it, it has no physical form and thus can be stolen electronically, and your account can be hacked.

Differences between Fiat vs Crypto

Impacts of Cryptocurrency

Financial supply chain management science refers to financial entities such as banks, credit unions, etc., and their transactions as parts of a supply chain. For example, people can use cryptocurrency instead of traditional banking systems for cross-border payments and other uses in the financial supply chain.

In addition, cryptocurrency supply chains help financially fragile countries by providing access to new markets. 

Transparency of Fiat currencies

Cryptocurrencies do not have any centralized control, ensuring the transactions’ privacy and security. Furthermore, the traceability of transactions can be verified by blockchain; in short, transactions of every cryptocurrency are broadcasted publicly in a specific blockchain code, making it transparent yet anonymous and private.

On the contrary, every detail of the recipient is necessitated if a user wants to send money; this disrupts the privacy of users of traditional banking systems using fiat currencies. 

Algorithmic payments

Cryptocurrencies allow payments to be sent from one party to the receiver in a record-breaking amount without the need for a middleman or intermediary like traditional banks. Crypto payment systems automate payment settlements and transfers using smart contracts, which are small pieces of computer code that are validated and enforced by blockchain technology.

The cryptocurrency supply chain will continue to grow as digital currency users increase while financial companies continue to embrace its use in their processes.

Why is cryptocurrency better than fiat currencies?

Cryptocurrency is interest-free, and a central entity does not issue it. Cryptocurrency is not affected by inflation and is, therefore, more convenient to carry around. Fiat currencies are managed by only a few bodies and can be easily hacked into or destroyed due to global economic crises.

 In the short term, crypto prices have fallen significantly along with the stock market, but according to experts, by the end of 2022, they will reach their highest point again. Bitcoin as a currency is the most vital entity to ease global trade and will provide resistance to significant financial crisis shocks if the currency is adopted worldwide.

Cryptocurrency is a fundamental solution to inflation and remittance fees

Cryptocurrency is a decentralized system and is a prominent solution in the remittance market. It offers an alternative to traditional currencies, which are heavily volatile and often used as speculative investments. 

While fiat currencies tend to lose their value with inflation, the crypt’s deflationary property makes it ideal for facilitating cross-border payments or transactions where one currency is used to send and receive funds. Since famous cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have a finite supply and are subject to intense scarcity, there is no chance these currencies can devalue in the long term. Every investor or user of these currencies will avail significant profits.

The ongoing debate of crypto vs fiat

The debate over which system will be better and whether cryptocurrency or fiat currency will win the race is still unresolved. Though it has been argued that Bitcoin may soon replace the US dollar as a global reserve currency, it is gaining popularity in countries with capital controls. 

However, if we look at the current growth of crypto, its adoption by financial institutions (such as banks) and merchants accepting payments with crypto and by users increases daily. Even countries like El Salvador are announcing bitcoin as one of the two national currencies used in the country. It clearly shows that the acceptance of cryptocurrency is not far-fetched, and we may see widespread use of cryptocurrency globally in the future. 

The governments and central banks are looking at cryptocurrencies as an alternative to cash and another step towards becoming cashless societies. The reason is that crypto has many advantages over fiat, although the two terms can be used by people interchangeably.

In addition, it’s much faster than fiat currency; a crypto transaction can be carried out from one side of the globe to another within seconds without involving any middlemen like traditional payment methods.

Cryptocurrency vs fiat currency article and permission to publish here provided by Jean Nichols. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on November 18, 2022.