Bitcoin: A Counter to the U.S. Dollar from the Start. Had the 2007 financial crisis not occurred, Satoshi Nakamoto might not have been motivated to launch Bitcoin with such urgency.
Introduction
From its inception, Bitcoin was designed as a countermeasure to the U.S. dollar. While its creation was rooted in extensive theorizing and numerous efforts, the financial crisis of 2007 was likely the catalyst for Satoshi’s decisive move to release Bitcoin. Bitcoin might not have received such widespread attention and adoption without that crisis.
This context underscores the notion that Bitcoin’s emergence and popularity were, in essence, a protest against the U.S. dollar. Initially, Bitcoin sought to empower individual freedom by breaking free from the dollar’s dominance. However, as Bitcoin became globalized and nations gained access to it, it transformed into a tool for dedollarization.
Dedollarization has become a contentious topic for policymakers in numerous countries. For a nation like Iran, it holds vital importance. This issue features analytical and investigative articles by Maral Koushki and other contributors, delving into dedollarization and the role of BRICS. In Iran, the concept and implementation of dedollarization face significant challenges. Thus, we’ve strived to reflect deeply on this concept and provide advisory insights to the financial technology ecosystem, policymakers, and executive leaders in the country.
In another segment, Behrad Teymourian interviews the marketing head of Decentraland’s metaverse. Blockchain Research Journal continues to lead in fostering international connections, aiming to bridge gaps between Iranian and global experts.
Following the buzz around Notcoin, the popularity of the Hamster Kombat game on Telegram has sparked widespread discussions nationwide. Millions of Iranians are now engaged in this game. In my view, the rise of such games is beneficial overall. These games act as marketing projects for blockchain ecosystems, introducing millions worldwide to concepts like coins, tokens, wallets, transactions, airdrops, and other foundational elements of cryptocurrency. Delivering this level of mass education through alternative means would be far more complex and costly. However, it’s crucial to ensure that new users understand these games are not stable income streams and to be cautious of potential risks like hacking. Faezeh Taheri and Abbas Ashtiani present an insightful discussion on Hamster Kombat in this issue.
The early 14th presidential elections are upon us. We thank the late martyr President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi’s administration for advancing crypto-assets in Iran and wish the new government success. In our next issue, we’ll present essential recommendations for crypto-assets in Iran.
Stay tuned for the next edition!
