A Brief History of Virtual Currency and Value (and Cryptocurrency)

I provide a brief history of value, virtual currency, and cryptocurrency, even going back to the beginning of time in our known universe. I got to know virtual currency in the early days before all the cryptocurrency hype. I put this lecture out in case students miss it in class, or in case I stop giving those lectures.

References and additional resources:
   • What is Cyberlaw? (in seven minutes)  , What is Cyberlaw
   • About my Cyberlaw Book - Cyberlaw: Law for...  , About my Cyberlaw Book
   • What is Law? (in ten minutes)  , What is Law
https://johnbandler.com/history-of-vi..., (companion article), A Brief History of Virtual Currency and Value,
https://johnbandler.com/virtual-curre..., Virtual Currency (including cryptocurrency, virtual assets..)
https://johnbandler.com/virtual-curre..., Virtual Currency References
Cyberlaw: Law for Digital Spaces and Information Systems, 2025, by John Bandler, https://johnbandler.com/cyberlawbook/ (see Chapter 22 on virtual currency and money laundering, and Chapter 19 on the Western Express cybercrime case)
https://johnbandler.com/cyberlawbook-..., Cyberlaw Chapter 22 resources
https://johnbandler.com/money-launder..., Money Laundering 
https://johnbandler.com/western-expre..., Western Express Case
Additional references within each of the above articles

See my usual disclaimers and warnings and suggestions, including at https://johnbandler.com/youtube-videos/
This video:    • A Brief History of Virtual Currency and Va...  , A Brief History of Virtual Currency and Value (and Cryptocurrency)
Video posted 2/24/2025
Description updated 12/07/2025