Could Bitcoin still exist if the internet was shut down worldwide for a week?

[Zlantann]

And who is shorting down the internet? you or me or them?

Because with some level of confidence I'm not sure it's even going to happen except the world id actually about to collapse, but it the world is still going to keep on moving then the internet is here to stay, all you just have to do is remove the mindset.
Bitcoin is going no where if it would, it would have been gone by now as much as the internet. I also looked at your first and second page in your profile, I screamed what the heck? Is this how you keep an account active ?

OP is known for coming up with strange hypotheses, and in some cases, he never comes back to the thread. There are different Internet service providers, so I doubt that all of them will shut down at once.  Since Bitcoin is decentralized, an Internet shutdown in a part of the globe will not affect the blockchain.  Even if there is a global Internet shutdown, transactions will be pending.  Immediately service is restored, the pending transactions will be processed in the blockchain.

[finaleshot2016]

And who is shorting down the internet? you or me or them?

Because with some level of confidence I'm not sure it's even going to happen except the world id actually about to collapse, but it the world is still going to keep on moving then the internet is here to stay, all you just have to do is remove the mindset.
Bitcoin is going no where if it would, it would have been gone by now as much as the internet. I also looked at your first and second page in your profile, I screamed what the heck? Is this how you keep an account active ?

OP is known for coming up with strange hypotheses, and in some cases, he never comes back to the thread. There are different Internet service providers, so I doubt that all of them will shut down at once.  Since Bitcoin is decentralized, an Internet shutdown in a part of the globe will not affect the blockchain.  Even if there is a global Internet shutdown, transactions will be pending.  Immediately service is restored, the pending transactions will be processed in the blockchain.

Probably spamming some controversial topics so that people get engage to it even the topic is non-sense. We're on the age where internet isn't being shutdown yet, there's no single time it broke down and our current life depends on it. So, if ever that happens, life is affected, the world will slow down, and a lot of changes will happen in a few seconds. Obviously, majority of those who depends on the internet will go down so there's no sense of asking the question, even a 5th grader can answer this question, you don't need to overthink the topic as well.

Also everything is domino effect, of course many will panic sell and secure funds but again, the scenario has small percentage to happen.

[Ucy]

That scenario is very unlikely, but assuming it happens there will most likely be people, businesses, nodes, wallets, internet cafe, etc that manage to stay online maybe via satellite or other special means. They stay connected globally while private local devices connect to them, mostly to access their wallets.

If international or global internet does not exist atall at that period, permissionless intranet or local/national Bitcoin networks of nodes and others would form around the world. But the most trustworthy and reliable networks from one or few places would be connected to by people from other countries via SMS, radio link, etc. I think reliable Bitcoin companies or organizations will be responsible for facilitating secure transactions between them and the individuals from other countries.

[Hamza2424]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

Mesh network can work but they are like connecting one node to another and without internet the range will be too low for example the Bluetooth can be used but the speed of BT is not fast enough to synchronize the blockchain data from every node quickly, the data won't be moving from one node to another and it won't update the whole network and this will just delay everything.

On top of that, with a mesh network with BT, the range is a big issue, you can connect nodes in one place, tell me how many people are running nodes around you? Don't know, but if in 100 KM range no one is running a node, then you won't be able to broadcast any transaction and make any so you are out.

Therefore internet with speed and range is necessary, we can use wires, but that is going to take time but if we have to use internet cables, then why not use the internet itself because the internet I am using and you are using connected me to the whole world with wires.

[edroi]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

if the internet went down worldwide for a week bitcoin wouldn’t die.. it would just pause and people could still trade p2p with things like mesh networks or satellite links but the big flow of transactions would slow a lot... once the internet comes back the network would catch up & sync.. so it’s less about ( ending ) and more like bitcoin taking a forced break

[r_victory]

A week without internet isn't enough to destroy Bitcoin. When the connection is restored, just synchronize the network again and voila, problem solved. A week without internet won't just shake bitcoin! Why are people so catastrophic lately?

That's why we should think of fiat currency as an ally and not as a competitor, as in other topics about Bitcoin replacing traditional money. This is the best reason for banknotes to continue to exist…

[Ivystar5]

SNIP

OP is known for coming up with strange hypotheses, and in some cases, he never comes back to the thread. There are different Internet service providers, so I doubt that all of them will shut down at once.  Since Bitcoin is decentralized, an Internet shutdown in a part of the globe will not affect the blockchain.  Even if there is a global Internet shutdown, transactions will be pending.  Immediately service is restored, the pending transactions will be processed in the blockchain.

In the context what op is even referring to is a general short down of internet, like never to exist anymore which is very much delusional and just like the previous user who quoted you, he never returns to his threads that's the most annoying part, I have concerns with what kind of user he is, wether a shiller or just a guy trying to entertain the people with questions when there is no much things to talk about.

[TheUltraElite]

If the internet shuts down for even one day a lot of things will get affected bitcoin will be least of concerns. You know how many cloud based systems are working in offices, hospitals? Them shutting down means a country is going to a standstill.

But hypothetically speaking without internet I am still not aware of how bitcoin can be used. Although honestly I am not that well versed with this part of the tech, so maybe someone else can give a better answer.

Practically speaking in such a scenrio saving your own life will become more important.

[Abiky]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

If the Internet shuts down, Bitcoin will die. At least, temporarily. It's possible that nodes would connect to a mesh network or something, resulting in the "revival" of the Blockchain. But at that point, Bitcoin will be so weak, it would be easy enough to attack it. After all, not all nodes are miners. What if most miners don't find a way to connect to the same mesh network as the nodes? Satellites could work, but signal fidelity would greatly depend on weather conditions. In essence, Bitcoin would be "weakened" to a point where no one will care about using it.

I doubt governments will act in unison and shut down the whole Internet. Not only it's impossible, but it would also disrupt online businesses and services. It would be complete chaos. Definitely not worth the effort. Fingers crossed an individual or corporation runs Bitcoin nodes in space to avoid this kind of situation. One can only hope...

[daxkie]

If the whole internet shuts down for a week, Bitcoin won’t suddenly vanish, it’ll just feel like your wallet got locked in a safe you can’t open yet. Transactions won’t really move because we all depend on the internet to connect. Some hardcore Bitcoiners could still use satellites or mesh networks, but let’s be real, the average person won’t have access to that. Worst case? If the shutdown lasted way longer, like months or years, Bitcoin would struggle badly because no one could sync or trade properly. But as long as the internet comes back, Bitcoin picks up right where it left off, like hitting play after a long pause.

[HistoLock]

What's up with this narrative that the internet will suddenly short down one day? Are we being real about this kind of assumption or we are just painting an hypothetical scenarios that's just vague?

Regardless of how strong the bitcoin protocol is, if the internet shots down, most bitcoin holders will momentarily worry about others things first before Thier bitcoin because it sure will affect life in general. We've gone past that age where the internet can completely shut down for so long without an alternative solution popping up. If it's just for a week, bitcoin will still survive through it.

Yes you are right I agree with your words because if the internet suddenly shuts down then Bitcoin will survive in an alternative way. But I think this idea will not happen in reality rather it is possible in imagination, because if the whole world network shuts down suddenly then will all the developed countries that are related to Bitcoin let it happen I think they will never let it happen. Yes it is of course true that the big countries of the world buy Bitcoin, so they will never want the global network to shut down which can lead to their ban. If that is the case then of course there will be an alternative method I think if the network shuts down all over the world it will be shut down for a short time and will Bitcoin survive through it. But I think this is just a hypothetical idea because the global network will not shut down and Bitcoin will survive even in this situation.

[Swordsoffreedom]

The problem is that will never happen, the government will never let an internet blackout happen, let alone for a week.

Water is an essential nutrient and humans would die without it. Likewise, the role of the Internet in the modern world economy is extremely essential and important. Without it, the economy would collapse. Therefore, the scenario of a global internet shutdown for a week or more is unlikely.

I know this is just hypothetical but come up with more realistic hypotheticals, discussing situations that are likely to never happen is pointless.

[krishnaverma]

The problem is that will never happen, the government will never let an internet blackout happen, let alone for a week.

Water is an essential nutrient and humans would die without it. Likewise, the role of the Internet in the modern world economy is extremely essential and important. Without it, the economy would collapse. Therefore, the scenario of a global internet shutdown for a week or more is unlikely.

I know this is just hypothetical but come up with more realistic hypotheticals, discussing situations that are likely to never happen is pointless.

You think Internet shutdown is not possible ? It is already happening in many countries. Many governments have done this recently.

[free-bit.co.in]

I doubt governments will act in unison and shut down the whole Internet. Not only it's impossible, but it would also disrupt online businesses and services. It would be complete chaos. Definitely not worth the effort. Fingers crossed an individual or corporation runs Bitcoin nodes in space to avoid this kind of situation. One can only hope...

That is impossible, governments will never let that happen because it will cause extremely serious consequences and damage to the global economy.

Remember the CrowdStrike incident in 2024 that left over 8.5 million Windows devices offline. The result was a series of incidents and disruptions from government agencies, airlines, hospitals and banks, all of which were forced to shut down and fall into chaos. Although there are no official reports, damage estimates run into billions of dollars. Imagine what would happen to our economy if the global internet stopped working. Therefore, a global Internet shutdown is almost impossible.

[Distinctin]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

Bitcoin existence will always be there, but since its selling and buying transactions will be stopped for a while, then expect that bitcoin promotion will be slow in progress. Even in other aspects that rely on internet, survival is there but there will be slow progress once internet connection will be compromised.

However, things like this will be very unlikely to happen not just for bitcoin, but even in other aspects that are solely operated by the internet. The government itself will surely find it hard to operate if the internet will be lost and compromised.

[Btcdeybodi]

The internet can only shutdown within a region or probably within a country but a global internet shutdown is not possible except there is a global war that will lead to destruction of global power grid that will affect submarine internet cables which is still not possible but if something of such happens it will even cause doom all over the world. Bitcoin is made up of internet signals and connection of different networks so if there is no internet, it means there will be no electricity and there will be no bitcoin transactions. Anyone who is having a thought of the internet shutting down one day is probably thinking about the end of the world.

[Miles2006]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

Bitcoin will survive not depending on mesh network, the problem here is you’ll not get much accuracy when dealing with the digital currency (bitcoin) more especially miners will be affected during the process, investors etc. if having the thought bitcoin can’t survive you definitely need to change your thinking, if I may ask why internet shut down? the world no longer depend on local network service provider and the time has passed rather op have to erase every fear concerning internet shut down in relate with bitcoin.

[Josefjix]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

Internet covers everything online and nothing can function without the internet. Everything will be shot down for a period of time but definitely resume back when the internet arrives, and be careful not to be panic, because it causes heart aches who can't restore itself back.
You could remember when Facebook shot down few years ago but Facebook lost millions of dollars within the the short period of time, that's the power internet has, value it.

[uneng]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

If there is satellite, there is internet, right? So we have to consider a scenario where there aren't satellites available as well. On that scenario, I think chaos would be inserted in society, so Bitcoin would be the least of the concerns of people in general. It wouldn't stop existing, and we don't really know how its price would be impacted, but once the world got stabilized again, it could be an alternative of currency for people to deal with and to store value.

It's important to notice that on that situation where internet wouldn't be available, fiat currencies would be also likely to be negatively impacted, so who knows, maybe Bitcoin could become a valuable asset after all.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

Would Bitcoin survive through offline solutions like mesh networks and satellites, or would it completely halt?

The first question should be if the internet can be shut down in the whole wide world, and I tried to find this out on Google, and here is what Google Ai has to say....



So, if It is completely impossible to shut down the internet worldwide, what exactly is the essence of even thinking or we assuming what could happen to bitcoin if a complete internet shut down happens? Whether it will survive or not.?
Well, let me try to indulge you, if the internet is shut down worldwide, trust me when I say that you will have things to worry about than bitcoin, bitcoin will survive because every will only pause, and when internet is restored, it will pick up again, but how about banks, government facilities, companies that rely on completely on the internet to operate, what happens to them.?