Does Money Actually Grow on Trees?

The irony of the tree giving the energy to grow this money on this money tree is both amazing and not real. Or is it??

Hi Plebs, 

The notion that "money doesn't grow on trees" is a timeless wisdom instilled in many of us from a young age. In recent years, central banks have printed massive amounts of fiat currency. This practice has arguably become the modern equal of money growing on trees. Bitcoin creators established the digital currency in 2009.

They did so in direct response to money printing. Bitcoin has a fixed supply capped at 21 million coins. It provides a form of money that no one can arbitrarily create more of. This is a stark contrast to traditional fiat currencies.

Since bitcoin's emergence, however, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have flooded the scene. They are often called "altcoins" or “shitcoins.” Each claims to improve on limits in bitcoin. They range from consensus hard forks like Bitcoin Cash to clones like Litecoin. They also include entirely new protocols like Ethereum. These projects represent attempts to create new forms of digital money.

Supporters of altcoins say that bitcoin is too slow. It lacks the capacity for global adoption. It's too volatile to be a viable currency. And, it's too rigid and needs to be more programmable. They market their creations as "faster". They also call them “more scalable”, “more stable”, or “more flexible” than bitcoin.

Critics view these altcoin projects as the modern-day equivalent of alchemy. People are trying to create money naturally. But, they have a misguided understanding. Just as alchemists tried to turn lead into gold, altcoin creators are trying to copy bitcoin. Bitcoin created a new, rare form of money from nothing. Bitcoin is gaining mainstream adoption and recognition as real money. The debate about altcoins is contentious. They are the cryptocurrencies that are not Bitcoin. 

Some say competition and innovation are healthy. Others think most altcoins will fail.

They lack bitcoin's key traits: decentralisation, immutability, and scarcity.

Only time will tell if these projects can match bitcoin's success and staying power.

Or, will they fade into obscurity as footnotes in the ongoing evolution?

Cheers, and onwards with Bitcoin.