Breakthrough year ahead for crypto-currency?

Thu, 07 Jan 2021

Like the share market and house prices, the world’s best-known crypto-currency has been bolstered by the pandemic. As central banks around the world print money to prop up the battered global economy, Bitcoin has the advantage of being in comparatively short supply.Only about 18.5 million Bitcoins have been ‘mined’ so far and the system is designed to have a maximum of 21 million, so it really is a finite resource: the digital equivalent of gold and increasingly its rival as an investment class. But Bitcoin’s valuat...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Environment

Think like a forest and save billions of dollars

A new half-hour documentary makes the case for native reforestation.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

Law & Regulation

Union calls for retraction of minister’s ERA comments

Public Service Association say Van Velden’s comments compromised ERA appointments.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Union calls for retraction of minister’s ERA comments

Law & Regulation

Bronwyn Heenan: Young and irritating – not discrimination

Clearly articulated guidelines when working in an open plan office are a good idea.

Bronwyn Heenan 5:00am

Young and irritating – not discrimination

Sponsored

The smarter way to invest in infrastructure

The global infrastructure ETF listed right here on NZX.

Blackrock, Smart Invest

Sponsored

How three bold campaigns turned creative risk into ROI

“Brand and performance aren’t opposites – they’re teammates. When they work together, you get compound growth.”

YoungShand

More Technology

News in Brief

ComCom recommends rural copper network deregulation

The Commerce Commission has recommended the deregulation of the rural copper network in New Zealand.Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said that advancements in technology have made copper regulation unnecessary for promoting competition.He noted that many rural c...

BD AI 21 Aug 2025