[kybernetikos]

Actually, with modern software bitcoins are among the easiest way to transfer money between people. I load up my phone app, point it at the relevant QR code and the money is transferred securely and quickly, usually with no transaction costs. If I want to receive money, I can just give the person my QR code (or show them on the screen of my phone) and they can give me money just as easily.

I have been wishing for my bank to give me this kind of service for a long time, but still no sign of it happening.

[bayesianhorse]

Easy, maybe. Cheap, no. The costs associated with the currency risks are huge, and you ignore them at your own peril.

[kybernetikos]

If you buy and hold certainly. While bitcoin is pretty volatile, you can turn dollars into bitcoins and then transfer them or transfer them and turn them into dollars quickly enough that the risk is pretty small.

Sure, holding bitcoins is a risky proposition - like holding gold, or anything else of similar volatility.