It was by a happy coincidence that a few weeks back opened for me, a commentator, not an investor, the brave new world of crypto currency.

Since then, I've come to know that a growing number of Maltese, especially youths, have discovered this bonanza and are eagerly hooked and making, they say, very good money.

This beats, they say, the hardship and hassle of finding a derelict building to pull down and erect an apartment block in its stead - finding the impossible-to-find construction workers and overcoming the language and other obstacles.

This beats, I can quite see, the self-proclaimed advantages of the banks, who are now dominating the social media and competing with various rates of returns.

And equally listed companies on the stock market who offer you the world and then give you pennies as dividends.

But I'm happy to say a growing number of young people are seeing through the empty promises of the banks which they wave around every Freshers Week.

To which I add the hardship the banks impose on the elderly, making them queue outside in the sun or the rain, requiring them to physically go to the branch for the slightest excuse (and even then having to depend on other non-functioning offices or agencies such as the vastly overcrowded offices to get your ID card updated, etc)

And then we ask why are people leaving the banks in droves.

Anyway, like a growing number of young people, over the past weeks, I have been discovering the advantages of Blockchain and related sites.

Initially I was all suspicious. It all looked like a giant Ponzi scheme.

I will not mention names but any cursory search will give you names and details.

There is ease of access - you can get in and begin trading with a very low sum. You can trade, you can send or receive money with no hassle at all.

You don't have to start with a lot of money, which is fine for they don't have any.

It's an unregulated world, you can lose your money as much as gain it. And if you're not careful your investment may go down if you lose track.

Now over the past days Minister Schembri who we all remember came up with the 'Blockchain Island' slogan for which he was widely ridiculed when it seemed like whole idea was a chimera, seemed to wake up and began reminding us of Blockchain Island.

It seems this resurgence was occasioned by one big Blockchain company relocating its offices to Malta from Ireland.

The Irish are hopping mad but there is enough background for those who want to investigate to make one cautious.

Maybe this is the right move for the company and for Malta. The point is however about the Maltese discovering Blockchain rather about Blockchain discovering Malta.

I am repeatedly surprised by the technical ability that a number of Maltese, not always academically trained, show.

Long may they flourish.

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