The bitcoin (BTC) vs. blockchain debate is almost as old as BTC itself. For years now, bitcoin maximalists have argued that blockchain without a cryptocurrency is mostly a slow database, while blockchain advocates have argued that bitcoin only scratches the surface of what decentralized ledgers can do.
We are already seeing multiple scenarios in which businesses and governments are utilizing distributed ledger technologies in a variety of processes. For Bitcoin to impact the payments industry, it will need to either achieve scalability or fulfil the role of ‘digital gold.’ Payment in bitcoin still seems a bit far-fetched without secure AML-compliant and scalable solutions, but great teams are working on trying to make that happen.