If this is all there is to it, I'm not sure I see the utility. I travel internationally somewhat often, not only has my credit card never been blocked, I also usually carry some amount of cash in the local currency so I wouldn't be screwed even if it were.
Transferring money internationally is a bit of pain, you're right about this. But it's also a regulatory minefield. I simply don't want to risk - (a) the IRS coming after me and (b) all the problems associated with bitcoin purchase and sale - just because I'm trying to save a few bucks in transfer charges.
This is the most interesting part of your comment.
I usually have two options to get paid by advertisers. Paypal or Bank Wire. Paypal charges huge fees, so I opt for wire.
Now, paypal are enormously profitable and they don't give a shit about small businesses which is probably why you end up getting screwed. Maybe bitcoin can help you there, but it's probably better if you could get dollars instead of bitcoin through a bitcoin like protocol. I think it's important to distinguish between the bitcoin protocol and the currency itself. I think the former has some good ideas which will almost surely make in to many many other protocols and applications. The latter, I suspect, is best avoided by "normal" people.
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If this is all there is to it, I'm not sure I see the utility. I travel internationally somewhat often, not only has my credit card never been blocked, I also usually carry some amount of cash in the local currency so I wouldn't be screwed even if it were.
Transferring money internationally is a bit of pain, you're right about this. But it's also a regulatory minefield. I simply don't want to risk - (a) the IRS coming after me and (b) all the problems associated with bitcoin purchase and sale - just because I'm trying to save a few bucks in transfer charges.
This is the most interesting part of your comment.
Now, paypal are enormously profitable and they don't give a shit about small businesses which is probably why you end up getting screwed. Maybe bitcoin can help you there, but it's probably better if you could get dollars instead of bitcoin through a bitcoin like protocol. I think it's important to distinguish between the bitcoin protocol and the currency itself. I think the former has some good ideas which will almost surely make in to many many other protocols and applications. The latter, I suspect, is best avoided by "normal" people.