Twelve years have passed since the invention of Bitcoin, a term that first appeared in a research paper by a so-called 'Satoshi Nakamoto', published after the financial crisis in 2008. Some studies indicate that a decrease in confidence in traditional currencies at that time contributed to the acceptance of the new currency, which subsequently spread like wildfire and became a global phenomenon and still enjoys a large share of public attention.

While bitcoin has turned some people into millionaires, it has made others bankrupt. While some see it as an integral part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, others see no future for it. In their view, it is an illegal and illegitimate currency, or something equivalent to a gamble or even conspiracy.

It is not just the ordinary people who have been surprised and baffled with the bitcoin. Even countries have tackled it with confusion and hesitance, going back and forth on their stand. Some countries refused to adopt it, then returned to try it cautiously. Others took the opportunity to try to win quickly and then abruptly changed their decision. For example, an investor in China established a mining laboratory in 2014 with the support of the government and was able to acquire 30 per cent of the bitcoins in the world. However, the Chinese government decided to develop its own digital currency under the name Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) to compete with bitcoin.

In 2015, Ecuador, which was one of the most cautious countries in dealing with bitcoin, became the first country to issue its own similar digital currency. This was followed by efforts and projects to issue digital currencies. Thus, the world's aversion to bitcoin turned into a competition to create similar currencies.

The aversion to bitcoin was not due to its digital nature, but rather its other mysterious features. Bitcoin has no sponsor and is difficult to control, whereas other similar currencies, whether already in use or under production, are approved and controlled by their respective countries. 

The official global disregard for bitcoin raises doubts over its future. However, this question is secondary to the vital questions that blockchain technology poses. Bitcoin is just one of the manifestations of blockchain, which is described as the greatest revolution that will change the way the world conducts businesses and transactions. Accordingly, the million 'bitcoin' question is: What will the future of government and commercial transactions be like in light of the blockchain technology and virtual currency? 

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori is the Head of Digital Government and Director General

TRA