# Bitcoin as legal tender

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-as-legal-tender/943705>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [June 6, 2021, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-as-legal-tender/943705 "2021-06-06T12:40:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 74

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**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-as-legal-tender/943705/74 "2021-09-14T16:37:51Z")

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> [@FlikTheBlue](#):
>
> No, it’s not the faith in the US government. It’s the wealth generated by every American that backs the US dollar.

And what bitcoin and other proof of work currencies is backed up by the the destruction of wealth. If you destroy 1 BTC worth of valuable energy and computer time we will reward you with 1BTC. Effectively its rewarding behavior like this guy:  
[![](https://i0.wp.com/www.tor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DarkKnight09.jpg?fit=740%2C+9999&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C350px&ssl=1) ](https://i0.wp.com/www.tor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DarkKnight09.jpg?fit=740%2C+9999&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C350px&ssl=1)

Except rather than fiat which are just measures of value, bit coin miners are burning the actual value itself.

I made a [previous thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bit-coin-mining-actually-be-put-to-good-use/824472) exploring whether there was a way this could be corrected by using the proof or work to do actual useful work and generate wealth rather than destroy it. But unfortunately the general consensus answer was no.

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