Long dismissed as a cult phenomenon, digital currencies have gained new respectability in recent months. Otherwise, though, the staying power of digital currencies themselves is iffy:• Volatility: Digital currencies are notoriously volatile. Back in March, Bitcoin value plunged 18 per cent after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected a proposal for a Bitcoin exchange traded fund (ETF). • Standardization: There are few common standards among the estimated 700 rival digital currencies that Bitcoin has spawned. Verification of cybercurrency transactions has slowed to a crawl this year, from an average of 17 minutes to more than five hours.

Source: thestar June 02, 2017 13:52 UTC