Why Bitcoin Can be Forked But Not Replicated

Too Long; Didn't Read

When meeting with investors about getting exposure to crypto via our <a href="https://digicor.io/Welcome" target="_blank">Index Fund</a>, I tend to hear the standard concerns such as lack of <a href="https://medium.com/digicor/u-s-crypto-regulation-where-are-we-going-16531c80d86c" target="_blank">unclear regulations</a>, <a href="https://hackernoon.com/rising-from-the-ashes-a-tale-of-bitcoin-crashes-e1860b28edae" target="_blank">price volatility</a>, and obscure <a href="https://hackernoon.com/making-sense-of-crypto-valuations-cd4417d1f250" target="_blank">crypto valuation models</a>. Another concern I often hear is why should I invest in <a href="https://hackernoon.com/tagged/bitcoin" target="_blank">Bitcoin</a>, or any cryptocurrency, when the source code is open, enabling anyone to easily copy the code, make a few tweaks, and release a new and improved <a href="https://hackernoon.com/tagged/cryptocurrency" target="_blank">cryptocurrency</a>. They often reference Litecoin or Bitcoin Cash as examples. These are legitimate concerns for investors but ones that are ultimately misguided. The reason why simply replicating the Bitcoin source code will not give you Bitcoin status is simple: the <strong>network effect which came from being the first</strong>. Hear me out.