Who's afraid of cryptocurrency?

Who's afraid of cryptocurrency?
Reuters

Synopsis

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved 11 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the spot price of bitcoin. While many hoped India would follow suit, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained its stance that cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value. The RBI's view is limited to cryptocurrencies as a currency, not the blockchain technology behind them. The issue of currency in a nation-state is a state function, conducted through the central bank. It is unlikely that India's current position on crypto will change soon.

As Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US flagged off 11 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on spot price of bitcoin earlier this month, many hoped that it may not be long before India joined the party. RBI has been maintaining that cryptos have no intrinsic value. Of course, that view is restricted to its role as a currency, not the blockchain technology that drives its use as an exchange of value. Why does crypto not qualify as currency?

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