The answer in such a situation, nevertheless, is easy. You want a impartial and mutually trusted asset in between. Gold might serve this position, and has finished so traditionally, however it’s inconvenient and costly to ship gold round bodily. Oil may be used, however will not be divisible sufficient and is dear to retailer and shield. Lastly, one might think about small impartial international locations like Switzerland performing as intermediaries, however they’re prone to come underneath an excessive amount of stress from the bigger facilities of energy. Bitcoin, nevertheless, is in some ways designed for the job.