"if America does not lead innovation in the digital currency and payments area"
America is already not leading in the digital currency and payments area. Paypal was created because America is a 3rd-world country when it comes to payment convenience. I read about all the initiatives that regularly crop up to make cash transfers easier and I always think "this will never take off in Europe".
Why ? Because I have a six-digit pin contactless Visa card that I can use anywhere in the world, and when I use it online I have a token generator that gives a six-digit number that I have to input to have the transaction authorized by my bank. I have online banking (also protected by a password and the token generator) where I can wire money to anyone I have the IBAN of. In short, I can manage and transfer my money as I please and very easily.
Then you have cryptocurrency, and yes I do believe that criminals are in charge of that. Either they are criminally incompetent exchange managers, or just outright criminals who stay in the game only long enough to have a nice bag of loot to leave with. I am not surprised that FaceBook wants in on that, it's right in The Zuck's mental ballpark. But I will no more deal with any cryptocurrency than I will willingly give FaceBook access to my private life.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
