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The Petrodollar and Its Discontents Point to Bitcoin's Role in the Financial Future

Recent moves by Saudi Arabia, Russia and China have raised fears that the U.S. dollar could lose its preferred status for oil trading. And yet alternative national currencies aren’t that appealing. Could a Bitcoin-like currency do better?

Northeastern Saudi Arabia near the Iraqi border (Wayne Eastep/Getty Images)
Northeastern Saudi Arabia near the Iraqi border (Wayne Eastep/Getty Images)