Yep, you've completely missed it! Go to Paul's site:
http://digitalcoin.info and have a read of the details.
Cheers,
Tyler
Been there, I'm afraid I got it straight. Excerpt from the "Digital Coin Technology" PDF:
Digital
Coin
is
an
“object”,
a
unique
serial
number
that (...) cannot
be
found
and
accessed
without
the
owner’s
unique
username,
PIN
and
password.
This
Digital
Coin
serial
number
can
be
up
to
512
numbers
long.
The
Digital
Coin
software
alone
can
find,
read
and
alter
this
serial
number.
This implies 3 things:
- Any smallest amount of money is a 512 digit number. You just don't drop it on a post-it to the beggar on the street.
- You need a username/PIN/password set, which is commonly known as an account, required whether you're a 5 years old going to buy candy or a clandestine.
- Every user of this new money needs an electronic terminal to reach the network - may it be a mobile phone or anything else containing the software. And he needs to be in range.
Also have a look at MaidSafe:
http://www.maidsafe.net/ - so far as I understand it, digital coin would be built into a system like MaidSafe, if not this particular system itself.
This sounds good. MaidSafe sounds good for its actual purpose, but I don't think any government would put trust in a system it cannot control.
They'll want to keep records, especially if you consider the chances that some individuals might still be able someday to hack in and produce "fake money".
Tho whole theory of "fair money" which also respects the rules of supply & demand is very promising.
The automated market, everything is nice and perfect. It's just how you do it.
Dematerializing is just moving one's trust in tangible objects into something else which requires a certain level of technology.
It is very likely to happen on a confined, local scale, as an experiment. But will the whole world be ready to join this someday?
I mean... you won't eradicate the Silver Crown coins which were so long to introduce in that jungle I know...
And the username/PIN/password thingy? Maaaan, what a pain in the ass. I love my solid Euro coins

I can't wait to see some practical improvement in that "Credit Coin" of yours, guys!
Cheers,
Vince