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The world of cryptos has just taken a new decisive step: the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the largest bank in the world by assets, has recently compared Bitcoin to digital gold and Ethereum to digital oil. This statement, coming from a leading financial institution, marks an important recognition of the significance and potential of cryptocurrencies in today’s global economy. By highlighting the unique qualities and distinctive roles of these two digital assets, ICBC draws attention to their growing place in an ever-evolving financial landscape.
ICBC elevates Bitcoin and Ethereum to the rank of strategic resources
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the largest bank in the world by assets, recently released a groundbreaking report that compares Bitcoin to digital gold and Ethereum to digital oil. This report marks a significant step in the recognition of cryptocurrencies by traditional financial institutions. According to the ICBC report, “Bitcoin retains the scarcity similar to that of gold by mathematical consensus, while solving its problem of being difficult to divide, difficult to identify authenticity, and uncomfortable to transport.” This statement highlights the transformation of Bitcoin, which has evolved from a mere potential currency to a robust and valuable financial asset.
At the same time, ICBC calls Ethereum “digital oil“, emphasizing its central role in powering Web3 applications and programs. The report states that “Ethereum has continuously upgraded its technology in terms of security, scalability, and sustainability, providing the technical power for the digital future.” This recognition illustrates the growing importance of Ethereum in the global digital ecosystem, serving as a crucial platform for innovations and decentralized applications.
Towards a new era of financial recognition
“The monetary attributes of Bitcoin are gradually weakening, while its asset attributes are constantly strengthening.” The ICBC report also highlights the growing importance of Bitcoin in today’s global financial system. By emphasizing its scarcity and robustness as an asset, the bank shows how Bitcoin has evolved to become a store of value, comparable to gold in the physical world. This analysis confirms the gradual transformation of Bitcoin’s attributes, where its qualities as an asset are constantly strengthening at the expense of its initial monetary attributes.
The ICBC report also highlights the crucial role of Ethereum in the digital economy. Analysts explain that “the introduction and development of stablecoins provide a bridge for the digital currency market to connect to the real world.” This functionality positions Ethereum as an indispensable platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). By facilitating the connection between the digital market and the real world, Ethereum enhances its utility and relevance in the global financial landscape.
Ethereum’s innovative technology is also highlighted by ICBC. The report underscores Ethereum’s capability to enable the creation of complex smart contracts via its virtual machine (EVM) and programming language (Solidity). These technical innovations have allowed Ethereum to become the backbone of many decentralized applications, strengthening its role in the future digital infrastructure. By continuously improving its security, scalability, and sustainability, Ethereum positions itself as a robust and reliable platform for future applications.
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Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d’une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j’ai rejoint l’aventure Cointribune en 2019.
Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l’économie, j’ai pris l’engagement de sensibiliser et d’informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu’elle offre. Je m’efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l’actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.
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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.