Sunday Tribune

People becoming virtual millionair­es by buying currency of the future

- LUNGANI ZUNGU AND NABEELAH SHAIKH

BITCOIN has become the currency of the world and those who have invested in the digital cryptocurr­ency have no regrets. One 24-year-old Joburg man became a bitcoin millionair­e two years ago.

Now Mpho Dagada is using his experience­s to coach others on bitcoin and plans to release a book on his journey in 2018.

Just like Dagada, there are many other prominent faces who have made it big in the digital currency market.

Dagada bought 10 bitcoins valued at $200 each, which are now worth more than R1 million.

But what is bitcoin? Bitcoin is electronic currency known as cryptocurr­ency. It is digital public money created by mathematic­al computatio­ns, policed by millions of computer users called “miners”.

According to tech website lifewire.com, bitcoins are virtual coins designed to be “self-contained” for their value, with no need for banks to move and store money.

There are several online companies that market bitcoin, but do your research as there are many scams. Register online, create a profile, buy bitcoins with your credit card, and start trading.

People can only buy goods or services online, but cannot use them in the store as they would with proper money.

Bitcoins can be stored in the hope that their value will increase over the years. However, they cannot be exchanged for cash.

They are traded from one “wallet” to another. A wallet becomes a personal database that you store on your computer drive, smartphone, tablet or in the cloud.

Dagada said bitcoins are the currency of the future. He opened an academy to mentor others on how to use cryptocurr­ency.

“It is the only currency not influenced by politics. Currencies devalue, but bitcoin increased enormously.”

Another miner, President Jacob Zuma’s son, Momelezi, frequently hosts seminars on bitcoin as many people don’t know how it works.

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