You could say the economy, GDP, debt of the US government. A simple definition would be a currency that is accepted as a legal tender for payments/taxes within the country of issuance.
Here's a few links i found interesting for you to read.
Remember that each country is different

http://www.forbes.com/sites/karlwhelan/2013/11/19/how-is-bitcoin-different-from-the-dollar/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_money
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States_dollar
a month later
It's about time Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies spread to Lebanon and the Middle east. We're obviously still in the early stages, but we gotta start somewhere to spread awareness and knowledge about this new tech.

A bunch of people are working on getting an active Meetup group and Facebook page going in Lebanon, and also outside the small tech communities. And we need all the support we can get.

If you want to join the discussion and help shape things, join us. And, we're also open to suggestions about the best way to grow this community.

Links:
http://www.meetup.com/Bitcoin-Beirut/
https://www.facebook.com/BitcoinLebanon
DaveAchkar wroteIt's about time Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies spread to Lebanon and the Middle east. We're obviously still in the early stages, but we gotta start somewhere to spread awareness and knowledge about this new tech.

A bunch of people are working on getting an active Meetup group and Facebook page going in Lebanon, and also outside the small tech communities. And we need all the support we can get.

If you want to join the discussion and help shape things, join us. And, we're also open to suggestions about the best way to grow this community.

Links:
http://www.meetup.com/Bitcoin-Beirut/
https://www.facebook.com/BitcoinLebanon

Good page, liked and will be following
Sounds great Dave. Thanks for sharing the links. I have one suggestion in mind. Basically alot think that crypto currency is only Bitcoin; but its not. Plenty of digital currencies exist; bitcoin is just the most popular. I would recommend spreading the idea of crypto currency rather than just bitcoin. Other coins such as litecoin and dogecoin deserve the same publicity as bitcoin. And as a dedicated miner of scrypt based currencies, I'm interested to see the mining community in Lebanon. Am I the only dedicated miner in this country? I hope not.
A couple years ago, bitcoins were worth less than 10$. Man, I wish I bought some a few years back.
Great point MrClass. I've debated that for a while, and it's a tough question.

My current opinion, is that it's simpler to focus on a single currency (Bitcoin because of its greater international recognition, adoption, applications, etc.) to introduce the concept of crypto-currencies and decentralized technologies. The point is to make this accessible to everyone at first. As the community grows and becomes more comfortable with this, I completely agree that this should shift towards a more complete view including all altcoins as well as extensions (coloredCoin, Mastercoin, etc.)
5 months later
a month later
Hello, can someone tell me how can I pay internationally in an android app using bitcoins? How can i buy bitcoins and use them.
P.S.: the amount to pay is 25$.

Edit: Is there any service in lebanon that can be used to pay online while paying to a person/company?
2 months later
Karim, you need 2 things:
1) a Bitcoin wallet, this is a good one: https://blockchain.info/wallet/android-app
2) Obtain some bitcoins. Like any other currency, you'll need to exchange your $ into Bitcoins. You can services like localbitcoins.com and bitquick.me for peer-to-peer trade, there aren't online exchanges in Lebanon yet.
DaveAchkar wroteKarim, you need 2 things:
1) a Bitcoin wallet, this is a good one:
2) Obtain some bitcoins. Like any other currency, you'll need to exchange your $ into Bitcoins. You can services like localbitcoins.com and bitquick.me for peer-to-peer trade, there aren't online exchanges in Lebanon yet.
Thanks for your reply, but I managed to transfer money in another way. I contacted Optimum Internet payment services and I paid using paypal.
5 months later
Anyone selling Bitcoin?, What a hassle to buy bitcoins in our country !

i found several websites that accept credit cards (via paypal or Skrill)

If i had Paypal or Skrill, i wouldn't go to Bitcoin anyway !
any other solution?

Thanks
Not anymore. We just released this recently: yellowpay.co/voucher
Seems interesting, so after buying the prepaid card (let's say via Master Card) will bitcoins be transferred to my wallet?
Shoot me a note at david@yellowpay.co so that we don't annoy the thread.
(and yes, you select the address to which you would like the bitcoins to be sent)
Here in London, I already saw a couple of bitcoin selling machines, in some hip places.
Theyre convenient but they remove much of the interest in buying bitcoins, for me at lest, as they scan your passport, and the rate is probably not that great.
The mass adoption of bitcoins will require a compromise between convenience and anonymity.
Guys, anyone willing to sell coins for cash?
Thanks.
So anyone tried yellow.co yet?
@Hybrid, i tried them, they are awesome, plus David is really helpful, and he answers emails immediately.

Let me tell you how the process works,

You buy a " Prepaid " Card (Voucher) for 25, 50 , 100 or 300$, a certain fee is added to this amount, you pay by Credit card, Western Union... etc, and then you specify your bitcoin wallet address.

In 1 business day, you will receive your " Coins "

If you need more answers you can PM, since i made several transactions with them during those 2 days.