Cryptocurrency Will Replace National Currencies by 2030.

The cryptocurrency market, which trades various digital-based coins, can look exciting, scary, and mysterious all at once to the casual observer. Its pioneer, Bitcoin, dramatically surged in value and steeply dropped (before picking back up) in recent months. ICOs (initial coin offerings for new cryptocurrencies), meanwhile, are emerging at a head-spinning rate.

While some financial advisers remain skeptical, it’s hard to ignore the massive amount of money invested in the field. We talked to two leading futurists, who study and predict technology trends, about where they see cryptocurrency headed—and why you should pay attention.

Cryptocurrency Will Replace National Currencies by 2030.
“Cryptocurrency is very much here to stay,” said futurist and author Thomas Frey, noting that he’s speaking to the Federal Reserve in September on the topic. He predicts that “cryptocurrencies are going to displace roughly 25% of national currencies by 2030. They’re just much more efficient, the way they run.”

The rise of cryptocurrencies over the past couple years represents “the legitimization of a new asset class emerging alongside the traditional global economy,” according to Dr. James Canton of the Institute for Global Futures. “I’d say you can expect an exponential increase of new investment vehicles to come from cryptofinance.”

Some money will be lost in the cryptocurrency market, to be sure, but Canton believes there’s also possibility to earn vast riches.