Inside Story

Should digital currencies be regulated?

China bans the trade of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, as the US considers tighter rules.

A decade ago, Bitcoin emerged as a digital alternative to money as we know it.

Cryptocurrencies like it are traded online, away from the control of governments, central banks and institutions of the global financial system.

But the world’s two biggest economies are not too happy about it.

China declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal and threatened further action. However, its central bank is preparing to launch its own digital yuan by next year.

The US Federal Reserve is also considering a virtual currency while tightening rules on cryptocurrencies.

So, should digital money be regulated?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

John Biggs – Journalist and a former editor of Coindesk

Thibault Schrepel – Assistant professor in Economic Law at Utrecht University

Glen Goodman – Investor and author of The Crypto Trader