Money is a medium of exchange that facilitates trade and economic activity. Money can have different forms and characteristics, such as durability, portability, divisibility, scarcity, fungibility, and acceptability. We will compare three types of money that have been used throughout history: gold, USD, and bitcoin.

Gold is a precious metal that has been used as money for thousands of years. Gold has many advantages as money: it is durable, portable, divisible, scarce, and fungible. However, gold also has some drawbacks: it is heavy, costly to store and transport, vulnerable to theft and confiscation, and subject to price fluctuations.

Moreover, gold does not scale well with the growth of the global economy and population. The supply of gold is limited by nature and mining, which means that the demand for gold can outstrip the supply, leading to deflation and hoarding. Deflation reduces the incentive to invest and spend, which can slow down economic growth and innovation.

USD is the fiat currency of the United States of America. Fiat currency is money that is not backed by any physical commodity, but by the authority and trust of the issuing government. USD has some advantages over gold as money: it is lighter, easier to store and transport, more divisible, more flexible in supply, and more widely accepted.

However, USD also has some disadvantages: it is not durable, not scarce, not fungible, and not immune to inflation. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of money over time, which reduces the incentive to save and invest. Moreover, USD is subject to political and economic risks that can affect its value and stability. For example, the US government can print more money to finance its debt or stimulate the economy, which can devalue the currency and create hyperinflation.

Bitcoin is a digital currency that was created in 2009 by an anonymous person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin is based on a peer-to-peer network that uses cryptography to secure transactions and prevent double-spending. Bitcoin has some advantages over both gold and USD as money: it is durable, portable, divisible, scarce, fungible, and decentralized.

Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million units that are released at a predictable rate until 2140. This makes bitcoin immune to inflation and manipulation by any central authority. Moreover, bitcoin scales well with the growth of the global economy and population. The bitcoin network can process millions of transactions per day with low fees and fast confirmation times.

However, bitcoin also has some challenges as money: it is not widely accepted, not easy to use, not stable in value, and not environmentally friendly. Bitcoin faces regulatory uncertainty and social resistance from governments and institutions that may see it as a threat to their sovereignty and control.

Bitcoin also requires technical knowledge and skills to use safely and securely. Bitcoin users need to manage their own private keys and wallets, which can be lost or stolen if not backed up properly. Bitcoin also suffers from high volatility in price due to speculation and market forces. Bitcoin’s price can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time, which can affect its usability as a medium of exchange.

Furthermore, bitcoin consumes a lot of energy and resources to maintain its network security and consensus. Bitcoin’s energy consumption is estimated to be comparable to that of some small countries.

Money is a complex and evolving phenomenon that has different forms and functions. Gold, USD, and bitcoin are three examples of money that have their own strengths and weaknesses as a medium of exchange. Each type of money suits different needs and preferences of users depending on their goals and values. Ultimately, the best money is the one that serves the common good of humanity.

Money is a complex and evolving phenomenon that has different forms and functions

Money is a complex and evolving phenomenon that has different forms and functions. We will explore some of the main aspects of money and how they relate to the economy, society and culture.

Money can be defined as any item or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services or repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. Money can also serve as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, a store of value and a standard of deferred payment. However, these functions are not fixed, or universal, as different types of money may perform them better or worse depending on the circumstances.

One of the most common forms of money is fiat money, which is issued by a central authority such as a government or a central bank and has no intrinsic value. Fiat money derives its value from the trust and confidence that people have in the issuing authority and its ability to maintain the stability and purchasing power of the currency. Fiat money can be created or destroyed by the monetary policy of the central authority, which affects the supply and demand of money in the economy.

Another form of money is commodity money, which is based on a physical commodity that has some intrinsic value, such as gold, silver or salt. Commodity money can be used as a medium of exchange or a store of value, but it may not be very convenient or efficient as a unit of account or a standard of deferred payment. Commodity money can also be subject to fluctuations in the market value of the underlying commodity, which may affect its purchasing power.

A third form of money is digital or electronic money, which is created and stored in digital form using computers, mobile devices or online platforms. Digital money can facilitate fast and secure transactions across borders and currencies, as well as enable new forms of financial innovation and inclusion. However, digital money also poses some challenges and risks, such as cyberattacks, fraud, privacy breaches, regulation and taxation.

Money is not only an economic phenomenon, but also a social and cultural one. Money reflects and influences the values, norms and beliefs of the people who use it. Money can also affect the distribution of power and wealth in society, as well as the relationships and interactions among individuals and groups. Money can also be a source of motivation, satisfaction, conflict or stress for people depending on their attitudes and behaviors towards it.

Money is a complex and evolving phenomenon that has different forms and functions. Understanding the nature and role of money can help us make better decisions and improve our well-being.

The Nigerian government recently introduced a new levy on electronic money transfers in foreign currency (FCY) as part of its efforts to boost its revenue and reduce its fiscal deficit. The levy, which took effect from January 1, 2024, imposes a 0.005% charge on all FCY transfers above $10,000, whether inbound or outbound. The levy is expected to generate about N20 billion ($48.8 million) annually for the government, according to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

However, the levy has also raised some concerns among stakeholders in the financial sector, especially those involved in cross-border transactions. Some of the implications of the levy are:

Increased cost of doing business: The levy will increase the cost of doing business for Nigerian companies and individuals that rely on FCY transfers for their operations, such as importers, exporters, remittance service providers, foreign investors, and diaspora Nigerians. The levy will also affect the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses in the global market, as they will have to factor in the additional cost of transferring funds in their pricing and profitability.

Reduced financial inclusion: The levy will discourage some Nigerians from using formal channels for their FCY transfers, as they may opt for informal or alternative methods that are cheaper or unregulated. This will reduce the level of financial inclusion and transparency in the country, as well as expose Nigerians to risks such as fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing.

Potential breach of international agreements: The levy may contravene some of the international agreements that Nigeria is a signatory to, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols.

These agreements aim to facilitate trade and integration among African countries by eliminating or reducing barriers such as tariffs, quotas, and levies. The levy may also violate some of the bilateral investment treaties that Nigeria has with other countries, which guarantee fair and equitable treatment of foreign investors.

Possible retaliation from other countries: The levy may trigger a backlash from other countries that are affected by it, especially those that have a significant volume of FCY transfers with Nigeria. These countries may impose similar or higher levies on Nigerian transfers or take other measures to protect their interests. This may lead to a trade war or a diplomatic row that could harm the bilateral relations and cooperation between Nigeria and its partners.

In conclusion, while the levy may have some benefits for the Nigerian government in terms of revenue generation, it also has some negative implications for the Nigerian economy and society in terms of cost, inclusion, compliance, and relations. Therefore, the government should reconsider the levy and explore other options that are more conducive to the development and growth of the country.

Beyond Levies, Nigeria Needs to Grow Capital to Advance