Is Bitcoin Safe for Transactions? Evaluating the Risks and Benefits

Bitcoin is a system of value transfer that has many safety futures hardwired into it. Understanding these features is crucial to understanding whether is Bitcoin safe. These safety features can be broken down into four main components, which are what has endeared Bitcoin to the masses. They include:

• Encryption and anonymity.
• Decentralization and distributed network architecture.
• Comparison to traditional banking systems.
• Transparency and immutability of the blockchain ledger.

Bitcoin is the opposite of the centralized banking system. In the mainstream financial system, all transactions go via a centralized system. It can be altered, stopped, or reversed with the right credentials.

Another issue with the mainstream financial system is that there is zero anonymity. Any transaction you make using your money via the financial system can be traced directly to you. The only way to avoid being monitored is by conducting physical cash transactions. Even then, you have to provide your details for sizable transactions. Based on these facts, the question is Bitcoin safe, is satisfactorily answered. In fact, many mainstream banks including JPMorgan Chase, which is working on the JPM Coin, are looking to incorporate the security, speed, and safety of the blockchain into their operations.

All transactions are stored in blocks linked in a chain; every block has a cryptographic hash that links it to the previous block, a timestamp, and all transaction data.

It ensures that any changes to a block will affect all other blocks in the chain. Additionally, all network participants will be immediately made aware of the change. The system ensures that no one can tamper with any part of the blockchain, even by a tiny decimal, without alerting everyone else.

Cryptocurrencies are ever exposed to threats and vulnerabilities. This can always prompt Bitcoin users to always seek answers to the question, “Is Bitcoin safe?” To solve the puzzle, one must understand the risks that come with the network.

Bitcoin’s ledger is nearly impossible to hack. One must command a lot of processing power to reverse a single transaction. However, that does not mean it is impossible to lose your Bitcoin.
When stealing Bitcoin, hackers target centralized exchanges or other platforms where users centrally store their funds. For instance, hackers could compromise a vulnerability in a Bitcoin wallet. They could hack a crypto exchange and steal all the stored funds.

A recent example of this attack vector is the General Bytes ATM attack that occurred between March 17th – 18th, 2023. General Bytes, which operates over 15,000 ATMs, was targeted by hackers, who stole over $1.5 million from user accounts. The hackers exploited a video upload feature embedded in the Bitcoin ATMs to upload malicious JavaScript code. With the code, they targeted ATMs powered by Digital Ocean, a cloud hosting provider utilized by General Bytes. They used it to intercept the API private keys used to secure hot wallets, gaining the ability to disable two-factor authentication. The hackers then changed passwords and transferred the funds from the hot wallet accounts.

One advantage of fiat over Bitcoin is that the regulatory status of fiat currency is secured and backed by the full authority of the state. However, Bitcoin still suffers from regulatory uncertainty. In certain regions of the world, they impose heavy taxes. In others, like China, Bitcoin is banned.

The haphazard regulation of Bitcoin also means that firms handling it can sometimes go under in minutes with little prior warning. Authorities can seize any company for any reason they can come up with due to legal uncertainty. It is a risk everyone who invests in Bitcoin takes.

A good example of this uncertainty is India, one of the biggest nations by population size. The country, with millions of Bitcoin users, threatened to ban crypto in 2020. It opted to ban Indian banks from processing crypto transactions, which was overturned by the supreme court. However, the nation’s crypto sector has never recovered.

Another major nation that has had a difficult relationship with Bitcoin is China. The nation has made various far-reaching attempts to completely ban Bitcoin and other crypto transactions, while simultaneously working on a national digital currency.

Bitcoin custody is another major issue. Some people have had their hardware wallets stolen or lost. Others have lost their private keys, while others suffer from damaged hardware storage devices.

The most famous example of this is Stefan Thomas, a German programmer based in San Francisco. He holds 7,002 Bitcoin in a crypto wallet, which is valued at around $195 million at current prices. However, he lost access to his Bitcoin, after he lost the password to the crypto wallet in 2020. The wallet is a special hard drive called an Ironkey. He only has two more attempts to access the locked hard drive, having tried eight times already. If he attempts to tamper with the device, the contents will be permanently encrypted and lost to him forever.

Having proper storage is crucial to how to protect your Bitcoin from hackers. In most of the cases where Bitcoin is stolen, it is done via the internet. Getting a cold wallet is the best decision when it comes to protecting your Bitcoin from hackers.

Bitcoin usage comes with risks, but there are ways to ensure your Bitcoin is safe. One of the first things you need to know is how to properly transfer Bitcoin. It’s advisable to always double-check the Bitcoin wallet address you are sending your crypto to.

Another important consideration is the storage of Bitcoin in a hot or cold wallet. A hot wallet gives you quick access to Bitcoin and lets you take advantage of market volatility during trades. However, it is connected to the internet and chances are, hackers can steal your coins. With a cold wallet, your Bitcoin is stored offline. It ensures hackers cannot remotely steal your coins, and is one of the best ways how to protect your Bitcoin from hackers.

Crypto exchanges can also be at risk of you losing your Bitcoins. There are many scam exchanges out there that will quickly steal your coins once you deposit them. These exchanges operate for weeks or months and then fold without warning. It’s advisable to always pick a reputable Bitcoin exchange when you buy and deposit Bitcoin. Only deposit what you need to trade.

We recommend that you use Bitstamp, based in Luxembourg, to purchase Bitcoin. However, Bitstamp accepts trades in fiat and crypto. Another exchange that we highly recommend is Coinbase, based in San Francisco. These two exchanges excel in the areas of security, reputability, and licensing.

It is also important to understand the regulatory challenges of owning Bitcoin. A major issue is tax payment on your holdings. Today, there are major tax companies that will process crypto transactions. Ensure you use them and file your taxes on time. Regarding legal challenges, one way to protect yourself is to lobby your political representatives to make better laws. For instance, there are states in the US that have great legal protection for Bitcoin. One such state is Texas, which has created a welcoming sector for the crypto sector. In May 2021, the State’s Congress passed House Bills 1576, and 4474, which made crypto legal in Texas starting in September 2021.

Finally, keep yourself informed if you want to answer the question about Bitcoin safety. Find out as much as you can if you find anything on the internet that should cause alarm. For instance, if you learn that an exchange is in trouble, you could be lucky to get your crypto out if you act early enough. Additionally, if you learn that your hot wallet has security challenges, you can switch to a new one in time.