Tim Enneking ismanaging director at Crypto Asset Management, which overseesCrypto Asset Fund, a regulated US cryptocurrency trading fund.
In this opinion piece,Enneking argues thatthe term "cryptocurrencies" is now outdated, and that new terminology is needed to describe the innovationsbeing imagined and built in the blockchain industry.
No, that headline is not a mistake.
Its not the cryptocurrencies themselves that should be killed off, but rather the term (hence the quotation marks). Labeling everything going on in the crypto world (space, ecosystem, universe: pick one) "currencies" is dead, pass, OBE You get the idea.
Two questions logically arise: First, why is the term dead and, second, if it's dead, what should replace it?
As to the first, that's easy. There are two problems with applying the phrase "cryptocurrency" to what's going on in the space traditionally known by that name. First, the "coins" are acting less and less like coins and more and more like something else, perhaps equities.
In fact, for my fund, we divide the cryptocurrency space into "blue chips,""large caps,""mid caps,""small caps,""pennies," ("penny coins" seemed redundant) and "NLT" ("no longer traded").
(Now, before you think I am trying to tout my fund, please realize that we decided to name it "Crypto Asset Fund" for the same reasons as those I'm citing here.For the record, my prior fund was indeed called the "Crypto Currency Fund" so we are following the same evolution as the crypto ecosystem itself.)
Related to this shift is the fact that, when bitcoin was effectively the only game in town, aficionados touted it as a "dollar replacement", or at least a supplement but the target was clearly displacing, to one degree or another, fiat currencies. Now, however, with the emphasis on blockchain, ethereum contracts, Ripple bank transfers, etc, etc, cryptocurrenciesare becoming more a transaction enabler than the transaction itself. Their use as currencies, per se, is clearly decreasing.
So, cryptocurrencies are rapidly migrating away from being a medium of exchange (one of probably the most critical of the purposes of a "currency") into enablers of exchanges.
ICOs, tokens, tethers, exchange lending, the (slowly) growing crypto-derivatives market: all reinforce the strong secular shift of cryptocurrencies to crypto "assets."
Which leads us directly to the second question: What should we call all this stuff?
We have voted with our pens and opted for "assets" a nice, all-encompassing fiat word that is sufficiently vague to cover just about everything that might happen in the crypto space.
Why does this matter? Because perception is reality. If we want to attract more investors and users to the crypto universe, then we need those investors to quickly and easily understand what the space offers. Mislabeling (or, at least, too narrowly labeling) the space doesn't help. The name also inevitably affects how those of us already in the space view it, and ourselves, as well.
Labels matter.
A real-life example: CNBC asked me to appear live on Capital Connection out of Singapore(the interview took place and was broadcast July 5) and to recommend "three cryptocurrencies". I declined to do so, countering with three much more varied investments in the crypto space: one lower risk (whatever that might mean), one moderate risk and one higher risk.
The first is lending (fixed income), the second is a coin (equities) and the third is an ICO (IPO or alts). The italicized terms are the fiat equivalent of these three investments, which, by no coincidence, cover the three "legs" of the typical fiat investment "stool."
So, lets move to a much more accurate characterization of the space, ecosystem, universe, whatever (do I sense another opinion piecein the offing?) and call the sector (!) were working in "crypto assets" or even just "crypto", shall we?
I'd argue it makes much more sense.
Disclosure:CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, whichhas an ownership stake in Ripple.
Funeral candles image via Shutterstock
The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk strives to offer an open platform for dialogue and discussion on all things blockchain by encouraging contributed articles. As such, the opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view of CoinDesk.
For more details on how you can submit an opinion or analysis article, view our Editorial Collaboration Guide or email [emailprotected].
Read the original:
Killing 'Cryptocurrency': Why It's Time to Retire the Term - CoinDesk
- Crypto()Currency - CryptoCurrency.org - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- TNW - Stefan Molyneux - Money, Power and Politics The Cryptocurrency Revolution - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- How to Set Up a Ripple (CryptoCurrency) Generating System! - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin / Cryptocurrency - An Extensive FAQ - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- --- The Great Debate --- Bitcoin vs Altcoin @ The CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Bryce Weiner @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Popularcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Joshua Nold - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- TimeKoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Michael Brown - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Infinitecoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Loring Small - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Bitcoin Exchange CryptoRush Loses Millions of BlackCoin Cryptocurrency - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Brock Pierce, Entrepreneur "FireSide Chat" @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC - 4/9/14 - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- [OFFICIAL SPONSOR] Nick Spanos, Bitcoin Center NYC @ CryptoCurrency Convention 4/9/14 - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- AuroraCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - David Lio - Video - April 26th, 2014 [April 26th, 2014]
- Dogecoin Founder Speaks on the Future of Cryptocurrency - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- As Bitcoin Soars in Value, Alternative Cryptocurrencies ... - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- Florincoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Joe Fiscella - Video - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- DigiByte @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Jared Tate - Video - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- Digitalcoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Andrew Davidson - Video - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- PotCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Nick Iversen - Video - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- ZenithCoin @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Eddie Corral - Video - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- BitAngels Co-Founder, David Johnson @ CryptoCurrency Convention NYC 4/9/14 - Video - April 27th, 2014 [April 27th, 2014]
- Australian dogecoin founder speaks on the future of cryptocurrency - April 28th, 2014 [April 28th, 2014]
- Coinnext Cryptocurrency Exchange Coming Soon - Video - April 29th, 2014 [April 29th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency News Round-Up: MtGox Hearing Begins as Bitcoin gets Bloomberg Endorsement - May 1st, 2014 [May 1st, 2014]
- mTrader.org - Cryptocurrency Mining System - Video - May 1st, 2014 [May 1st, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency - cryptobars commodity Launch! - Video - May 1st, 2014 [May 1st, 2014]
- The Mises View: "Taxing Cryptocurrency" | Jeff Deist - Video - May 2nd, 2014 [May 2nd, 2014]
- Coin Pursuit Launches SliceFeeds Interactive Cryptocurrency Network - May 3rd, 2014 [May 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency | Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis - May 3rd, 2014 [May 3rd, 2014]
- CS 171 Final Project: Cryptocurrency Visualizations - Video - May 3rd, 2014 [May 3rd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Explained The Tech Guy 1046 - Video - May 3rd, 2014 [May 3rd, 2014]
- Know How 74 Cryptocurrency - Video - May 4th, 2014 [May 4th, 2014]
- MIT undergrads will each receive $100 in bitcoin - May 5th, 2014 [May 5th, 2014]
- cryptocurrency - Fortune Finance: Hedge Funds, Markets ... - May 8th, 2014 [May 8th, 2014]
- Bitcoin wins US election panel's approval for political donations - May 9th, 2014 [May 9th, 2014]
- CryptoCurrency of the World Unite! - Video - May 9th, 2014 [May 9th, 2014]
- Major Dogecoin Wallet Hacked, Shut Down - May 13th, 2014 [May 13th, 2014]
- Such hack, much sad: Doge Vault reportedly loses $56,000 in heist - May 13th, 2014 [May 13th, 2014]
- BBT Presents: Ode to Cryptocurrency - Video - May 13th, 2014 [May 13th, 2014]
- Scryptify Cryptocurrency Video - Crypto Currency Exchanges - Video - May 13th, 2014 [May 13th, 2014]
- AMD cuts Radeon R9 280 price as inflation woes die down - May 15th, 2014 [May 15th, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Certification Consortium - Video - May 15th, 2014 [May 15th, 2014]
- Bitpagar Cryptocurrency - Video - May 16th, 2014 [May 16th, 2014]
- TagPro - Cryptocurrency Juke Session w/ LTB & Counterpary - Video - May 16th, 2014 [May 16th, 2014]
- How to Mine Cryptocurrency Safely - Video - May 16th, 2014 [May 16th, 2014]
- Bunnycoin - Innovative New Cryptocurrency - Video - May 16th, 2014 [May 16th, 2014]
- Jan Irvin on Learning, Statism, Culture, Cryptocurrency and Voluntarism -- Potent News Podcast #1 - Video - May 16th, 2014 [May 16th, 2014]
- Nxt cryptocurrency platform: Proof of Stake mining system - Video - May 18th, 2014 [May 18th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Darkcoin Rise Continues; Dogecoin Saved My Life & Bitcoin Explainer Videos - May 19th, 2014 [May 19th, 2014]
- Givecoin.info Announces Partnership with Do A Bit of Good: World's First Charitable Mining Screensaver - May 21st, 2014 [May 21st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency: Get Mining! - Video - May 22nd, 2014 [May 22nd, 2014]
- Violincoin - The first cryptocurrency for musician - - Video - May 22nd, 2014 [May 22nd, 2014]
- Trollcoin - The Fun Cryptocurrency! - Video - May 22nd, 2014 [May 22nd, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency and Nonprofits with Eric Nakagawa - Video - May 23rd, 2014 [May 23rd, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store - Video - May 23rd, 2014 [May 23rd, 2014]
- The Cryptocurrency Store (Spanish/Espagnol) - Video - May 23rd, 2014 [May 23rd, 2014]
- How To Trade CryptoCurrency: Sign up to a safe and reliable exchange for trading CryptoCurrency - Video - May 23rd, 2014 [May 23rd, 2014]
- UT students to launch cryptocurrency exchange - May 24th, 2014 [May 24th, 2014]
- Videoconferencia Cryptocurrency 201243946 - Video - May 27th, 2014 [May 27th, 2014]
- VideoCharla Jesus Ramos Cryptocurrency - Video - May 27th, 2014 [May 27th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Bitcoin Pioneer Dies and Digital Currency's Status in Australia - August 31st, 2014 [August 31st, 2014]
- Bitcoin enthusiasts discuss the cryptocurrency - Video - August 31st, 2014 [August 31st, 2014]
- Make Fast 1.0 up to 10.00 BTC or Any Cryptocurrency REAL CASH - Video - August 31st, 2014 [August 31st, 2014]
- Halcyon cryptocurrency - Video - August 31st, 2014 [August 31st, 2014]
- Selling products / services / fiat money for cryptocurrency - Coinkite PoS Terminal - Video - August 31st, 2014 [August 31st, 2014]
- Selling cryptocurrency to customers - Coinkite PoS Terminal - Video - August 31st, 2014 [August 31st, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Made Simple - A Plain English Guide to Bitcoins - September 8th, 2014 [September 8th, 2014]
- PotatoCoin - The cryptocurrency for the third world - Video - September 8th, 2014 [September 8th, 2014]
- How To Trade One Kind Of Cryptocurrency For A Different Kind Of Cryptocurrency - Video - September 8th, 2014 [September 8th, 2014]
- How To Fund Your Bleutrade Cryptocurrency Trading Account - Video - September 8th, 2014 [September 8th, 2014]
- How To Open An Account At Bleutrade.com Cryptocurrency Exchange - Video - September 8th, 2014 [September 8th, 2014]
- Cryptocurrency Round-Up: Apple Pay Boosts Bitcoin, Nakamoto Negotiates With Hacker - September 11th, 2014 [September 11th, 2014]
- Qoinpro Cryptocurrency Faucet ok - Video - September 12th, 2014 [September 12th, 2014]
- Weekly Roundup - CEX.IO - Multi-Functional cryptocurrency exchange - Video - September 12th, 2014 [September 12th, 2014]
- TCR #27: Cryptocurrency growth, 9/11 Anniversary, CDC Scandal, Face Your Fears - Video - September 12th, 2014 [September 12th, 2014]
- VanosEnigmA 011 Bitcoin-Comedy BitcoinDog CryptoCurrency-Cat Naughty - Video - September 15th, 2014 [September 15th, 2014]
- WikiLeaks Avoided Bitcoin to Prevent Government 'Destroying' Cryptocurrency - September 16th, 2014 [September 16th, 2014]
- LXC Coin crowdfunds in challenge to Bitcoin - September 16th, 2014 [September 16th, 2014]
- Why Bitcoin Is Poised To Win Big In Las Vegas - September 19th, 2014 [September 19th, 2014]