Can Bitcoin be converted into cash?

Highlights

• The idea behind launching Bitcoin was to use it as digital money, which could be readily accepted
• For now, the cryptocurrency is not widely accepted in the market and the holders seek its conversion into cash
• In some countries, for example, China, the holding of Bitcoin and/or its conversion into fiat currency is completely prohibited

Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency developed in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, was proposed to be a full-fledged form of money. It was termed ‘electronic cash’ in its whitepaper. The idea was to have an arrangement where the electronic transfer of money could be done ‘without relying on’ trust or a financial intermediary. In a sense, Bitcoin was envisaged to be a completely valid and readily accepted digital currency.

Nearly 13 years after its launch, the cryptocurrency has neither become valid money in any big and developed economy nor is it readily accepted by merchants or the public at large. Bitcoin’s market cap is hundreds of billions of dollars, but experts are divided over its utility as money in digital transactions. Today, let us explore why the need for Bitcoin’s conversion into cash arises and if this is possible in Australia and elsewhere.

Why Bitcoin’s conversion into cash?

Bitcoin is not a physical currency that can be quickly handed over to other party. It exists in virtual form alone, meaning only online transactions are possible. There are intermediaries like cryptocurrency exchanges that allow transfers between two parties. But the problem arises when one party refuses to accept Bitcoin. Unlike fiat currency, backed by governments and central banks and readily accepted in the market, Bitcoin lacks universal acceptance.

In Australia, the most preferred form of money is the Australian dollar. Likewise, virtually all countries have their fiat currency. People hold trust in fiat currency because of the presence of an intermediary like a central bank. In Bitcoin, there is no such intermediary. For now, the cryptocurrency has not been adopted as fiat currency by any big economy like Australia. This is the reason why there is a need to convert Bitcoin into cash.

Data provided by CoinMarketCap.com

Is the conversion possible?

Intermediaries like cryptocurrency exchanges allow the conversion of fiat currency to Bitcoin and the other way around. These exchanges can list Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin for trading purposes. In order to commence trading, one must first purchase Bitcoin by using fiat money held in one’s bank account. After a while, the person might want to liquidate the Bitcoin holding, which can be done by converting it back into fiat currency.

Separately, a person might also be holding Bitcoin outside of an exchange, for example, in a digital cryptocurrency wallet. One of the ways to convert such Bitcoin holdings into cash is by using Bitcoin ATMs. In Australia, for example, such ATMs are available in a few big cities, including Sydney and Adelaide. Some countries might not have any Bitcoin ATM at all.

Bottom line

Conversion of Bitcoin to cash might also be completely banned in some countries, for example, in China. In other countries, where holding Bitcoin and its trading are not considered unlawful activities, the cryptocurrency can be converted into cash through an intermediary like a cryptocurrency exchange or by using a Bitcoin ATM.

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