JAPAN, FRANCE & GERMANY TO ASK G20 FOR HELP REGULATING BITCOIN
A Japanese government official has revealed that the country will ask G20 members to strengthen security measures in an effort to prevent money laundering by way of cryptocurrency. Whether or not Japan will get help from its G20 counterparts, however, remains to be seen.
JAPAN WANTS HELP, BUT PROBABLY WON’T GET IT
Japan will ask its G20 counterparts for help in the fight against digital currency-utilized money laundering, according to a government official with direct knowledge on the matter.
As reported by Reuters, however, the chances of actually gaining unified assistance in the matter are slim to none.
According to another G20 official:
Discussions will focus on anti-money laundering steps and consumer protection, rather than how cryptocurrency trading could affect the banking system. The general feeling among the G20 members is that applying too stringent regulations won’t be good.
The country’s concern with money laundering is particularly noteworthy — given that reports have suggested that cryptocurrency-utilized money laundering makes up only 0.17% of all money laundering cases in the country.
Japan is the first country to legitimately regulate cryptocurrency, as it passed legislation last year requiring digital currency exchanges be registered and subject themselves to inspection.
CRYPTOCURRENCY TO HEADLINE G20 DISCUSSIONS
Finance ministers and central bankers from 20 of the world’s largest economies will meet in Buenos Aires next week, and cryptocurrency will most certainly be a hot topic.
Unsurprisingly, France and Germany are set to put forth joint proposals calling for strict regulation of the cryptocurrency market. The proposals are said to focus on preventing money laundering and the financing of terrorism, in addition to consumer protection. Rules will also be proposed, which prevent banks from holding cryptocurrency.
The move by the two major European countries is expected, given that finance ministers from both have already expressed extreme concern over the use of cryptocurrencies worldwide.
Japan, France, and Germany may find themselves in the minority, however, as the majority of G20 nations have expressed minimal interest in imposing regulations on cryptocurrencies. Rather, many countries would rather not risk stifling innovation by imposing harsh restrictions on the budding market.
@steemakki Nice summary of the regulatory update happening globally. I am glad that the majority of countries do not want to stifle innovation and impose strict regulations on cryptocurrencies. I like how there is a spectrum and you have Australia on one end waving the flag for btc and crypto and China on the other seeking to stifle crypto completely while you have a bunch of countries in varying degrees between them. I think it is healthy that most countries do not want to impose harsh regulations. I think we will see more regulations coming in 2018/2019 but that most countries will want to take reasonable steps and protect investors rather than try to clamp down on decentralized innovations.
Hope so that all the countries of the world gets unite in support of crypto :)