The emergence of Bitcoin has sparked a debate about its future and that of other cryptocurrencies. Despite Bitcoin’s recent issues, its success since its 2009 launch has inspired the creation of alternative cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin, Ripple and MintChip. In these experiences the speculative motive seems to be preailing. However, recently, digital social currencies' experiments are diffusing, by starting from the Bicoin protocol.
What will be the future of cryptocurrencies? Will Bitcoin lose its value completely? What are the most important factors to understand the future of cryptocurrencies?