Tyranny 1, Freedom 0
Tyranny is cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control. The regulations and prohibitions being dealt around the world on cryptocurrencies are tyrannical in every sense.
Antitrust laws around the world have been created for the sole purpose of avoiding monopolistic abuses. These blessed regulations "protect" the little guy. However, it is fine for governments and banks to monopolize mediums of exchange (i.e. money). The people cannot create their own currency because it will be used to launder money, to buy drugs, to support terror, and everything else illegal. Furthermore, the people certainly cannot take full control of their "own" money, no, no, no. They need the help of the banks for ALL currencies. Imagine letting the people take responsibility for their money. Bitcoin and national currencies cannot survive side by side.
Enough of the negativity and libertarian idealism.
I would like to say thank you to the governments and banks around the world. Thank you for protecting us. Monetary sovereignty is not important to us; we need you to have 100% control of the monetary system because you do it so well. Sure, you might run up the deficit a little here and there, but that is fine; you can just print more money.
Just a few special thanks to the banks who won't allow it's customers to use credit cards to purchase cryptocurrencies (actually, this is probably a good idea, but I love being sarcastic at times like this). Again, we cannot control ourselves and need your help. To the Chinese government, extra special thanks for completely outlawing cryptocurrencies and blocking all related websites. To the American government's IRS, thank you for labeling Bitcoin as "property". This makes it even harder to use it as currency since we will have to record every single purchase made. South Korea and India, while it is still not clear on the extent of your thoughtful regulations, but thank you none the less. Sure, limited regulations in all countries might actually be necessary to an extent, but let's pile them on. It will be good for us.
And to all the haters, whether you be gold bugs or bank executives, I guess you win. Government regulations are destroying cryptocurrencies. Yes, Tyranny 1, Freedom 0.
However, the game is not over yet.