In the years since the still-anonymous ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’ created the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, crypto has proven to be polarizing. Proponents argue that cryptocurrencies offer a transparent alternative to fiat currencies like the dollar. Crypto transactions are permanently recorded on a decentralized ledger known as a blockchain, making them potentially resistant to censorship. For political dissidents, or for people living in economically unstable regimes, cryptocurrencies could enable free exchange and prosperity in spite of local oppression or instability. “The majority of people on this planet do not have access to fair financial services, and Bitcoin fixes this,” said Christopher Bendiksen, Bitcoin Research Lead at the digital asset investment firm CoinShares, in an email interview with The Epoch Times. Crypto has also had its share of controversy. It’s known to be volatile—the price of Bitcoin fell from close to $69,000 to roughly $35,000 between November 2021 and early January 2022. In addition, …