With India’s rapid technological progress and extraordinary breakthroughs, particularly with the introduction of COVID-19, the fintech sector has been on a steady upward trajectory. With the increasing popularity and understanding of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ripple, Dogecoin, and others among Indians, many people have begun to invest the majority of their time and money in virtual currencies in the hopes of profiting from the current worldwide wave.

The Reserve Bank of India, India’s ultimate financial body, has defined cryptocurrency as a type of digital/virtual currency issued using a sequence of written computer codes that rely on cryptography, or encryption, and is thus independent of any central issuing authority per se. It has emerged as a person-to-person issuance and transaction system that employs private and public keys to enable authentication and encryption for safe transactions, supported by blockchain technology.
Despite the fact that the Inter-Ministerial Committee’s report was still pending, the RBI issued a circular in early April 2018 prohibiting all commercial and cooperative banks, small finance banks, payment banks, and non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) from not only dealing in virtual currencies but also from providing services to all entities dealing in virtual currencies. This effectively brought the crypto sector to a halt, as exchanges required banking services to transmit and receive money in order to turn it into cryptocurrency and pay workers, vendors, and office space, among other things. The situation surrounding cryptocurrencies and their use, however, drastically changed on March 4, 2020, when India’s highest court, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, issued a well-considered judgment quashing the RBI’s previous ban. The subject was primarily addressed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in light of Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution, which provides the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade, or business, as well as the idea of proportionality.
The Reserve Bank of India has issued a warning to the general public about the potential misuse of private cryptocurrencies in a variety of ways. If the New Bill imposes a complete prohibition on private cryptocurrencies, however, cryptocurrency investors will be forced to invest and trade in unregulated marketplaces. Furthermore, the goal of enacting a virtual currency/cryptocurrency law is to make the process of dealing with and holding virtual currency/cryptocurrency easier in a safer technological environment. Even with the introduction of state-owned cryptocurrency that will be regulated by the RBI, the risk factor associated with cryptocurrency investment and holding will remain the same.
Furthermore, according to the most recent modifications to Schedule III of the Corporations Act, 2013, the Government of India has mandated that companies must disclose their investments in cryptocurrencies beginning with the next financial year. That is to say, businesses must now declare profit or loss on cryptocurrency/virtual currency transactions, the value of their holdings, and details of any deposits or advances received for the purpose of trading or investing in cryptocurrency or Virtual currency. People working in the crypto business have greeted this move with open arms since it is understood that it will allow all Indian enterprises to carry cryptocurrency on their balance sheets.
Conclusion:
Based on the inferences that can be derived from the aforementioned facts and the current state of affairs in the cryptocurrency sector, it is clear that there is a lack of clarity in India when it comes to cryptocurrency legislation. Well-structured cryptocurrency legislation that covers crypto trading exchanges, blockchain technology, investors, and those who work in the sector is urgently needed, and such regulation requires more attention.

Conclusion:

Based on the inferences that can be derived from the aforementioned facts and the current state of affairs in the cryptocurrency sector, it is clear that there is a lack of clarity in India when it comes to cryptocurrency legislation. A well-structured cryptocurrency legislation that covers crypto trading exchanges, blockchain technology, investors, and those who work in the sector is urgently needed, and such regulation requires more attention.

[1] Reserve Bank of India, Prohibition on dealing in Virtual Currencies (VCs), (April 6th 2018), http://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=11243&Mode=0

[2] Internet and Mobile Association of India V. Reserve Bank of India, Writ Petition (Civil) No.528 of 2018

[3] http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/ScheduleIIIAmendmentNotification_24032021.pdf

 

Cryptocurrency is the talk of the hour. From business tycoons to the general public, everyone has a divided opinion about the future of cryptocurrency. While Bill gates might call it “better than currency” or Warren Buffett may term it as “a mirage”, its worthwhile to know what exactly is cryptocurrency. A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography. Many cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology. In simple terms a blockchain is a type of database. A database is a collection of information that is stored electronically on a computer system. 

Bitcoin is one of the widely recognized cryptocurrencies. It is digital currency which was invented in 2008 by an unknown person or group of people using the name Satoshi Nakamoto whose identity still remains a mystery. The currency began use in 2009. Bitcoin offers the promise of lower transaction fees than traditional online payment mechanisms and, unlike government-issued currencies, it is operated by a decentralized authority.

There is no physical bitcoin, only balances kept on a public ledger that everyone has transparent access to. All bitcoin transactions are verified by a massive amount of computing power. Bitcoin is not issued or backed by any banks or governments, nor is an individual bitcoin valuable as a commodity. Despite it not being legal tender or legally recognized money within a given political jurisdiction, in most parts of the world, bitcoin is very popular and has triggered the launch of hundreds of other cryptocurrencies, collectively referred to as altcoins, like Ethereum, Binance Coin, Tether, etc.

Many bitcoin supporters believe that digital currency is the future. Many individuals who endorse bitcoin believe it facilitates a much faster, low-fee payment system for transactions across the globe. Although it is not backed by any government or central bank, bitcoin can be exchanged for traditional currencies; in fact, its exchange rate against the dollar attracts potential investors and traders interested in currency plays. Indeed, one of the primary reasons for the growth of digital currencies like bitcoin is that they can act as an alternative to national fiat money and traditional commodities like gold. But many people purchase bitcoin for its investment value rather than its ability to act as a measure of exchange as the lack of guaranteed value and its digital nature means the purchase and use of bitcoin carries several inherent risks.

Thus, No one knows what will become of bitcoin. It is mostly unregulated, but some countries like Japan, China and Australia have begun weighing regulations. Governments are concerned about taxation and their lack of control over the currency.

 CRYPTOCURRENCY – HOW IT WORKS

Cryptocurrency is a form of payment that can be exchanged online for goods and services. Many companies have issued their own currencies, often called tokens, and these can be traded specifically for the good or service that the company provides. Think of them as you would arcade tokens or casino chips. You’ll need to exchange real currency for the cryptocurrency to access the good or service.

Cryptocurrencies work using a technology called blockchain. Blockchain is a decentralized technology spread across many computers that manages and records transactions. Part of the appeal of this technology is its security.

Cryptocurrencies may go up in value, but many investors see them as mere speculations, not real investments. The reason? Just like real currencies, cryptocurrencies generate no cash flow, so for you to profit, someone has to pay more for the currency than you did.

That’s what’s called “the greater fool” theory of investment. Contrast that to a well-managed business, which increases its value over time by growing the profitability and cash flow of the operation.

As NerdWallet writers have noted, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin may not be that safe, and some notable voices in the investment community have advised would-be investors to steer clear of them. Of particular note, legendary investor Warren Buffett compared Bitcoin to paper checks: “It’s a very effective way of transmitting money and you can do it anonymously and all that. A check is a way of transmitting money too. Are checks worth a whole lot of money? Just because they can transmit money?”

For those who see cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as the currency of the future, it should be noted that a currency needs stability so that merchants and consumers can determine what a fair price is for goods. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been anything but stable through much of their history. For example, while Bitcoin traded at close to $20,000 in December 2017, its value then dropped to as low as about $3,200 a year later. By December 2020, it was trading at record levels again.

This price volatility creates a conundrum. If bitcoins might be worth a lot more in the future, people are less likely to spend and circulate them today, making them less viable as a currency. Why spend a bitcoin when it could be worth three times the value next year?

 Block chain , IA , biometrics technologies qui Revolutionate la finance . Ethereum is on track to overtake Bitcoin’s market cap A Wallet to freedom Deutsche Bank the Current money system is fragile. Deutsche bank sees that by 2030 digital currencies will rise to over 200 million users. In the “In the Imagine 2030 ” report , it suggests the digital currency could eventually replace cash one day , as demand for anonymity and amore decentralized means of payment grows.

Illias Louis Hatzis is the founder at Mercato Blockchain Corporation AG and a weekly columnist at DailyFintech.com Usually this time of year , we start to read price predictions about Bitcoin going to a million bucks a coin. I’ve never been a big fan of price predictions . Some get them right, and most get them wrong. Price predictions are about short term gains, that are usually very fickle. But a week ago I read an interesting prediction in the news. Deutsche bank made a very bold statement . The German Bank published a research report called Imagine 2030. In this report the bank says that cryptocurrencies are currently just additions to the current money payment system . However , in the next decade they could be replacements .This bank is spot on with its prediction .But , prediction is are always tricky. Hindsight is 20/20 , Rightnow , everyone wants to believe . We can taste the decentralized future . Cryptocurrencies have become more popular . Crypo can be both unique solution and good, evil like everything else in life.

 People’s working habits, communication styles, shopping habits, and even how they pay for items have all altered as a result of technological advancements. Companies and customers no longer prefer cash, and contactless payments such as Apple Pay are gaining traction.

Consumers may pay for things at computerized registers with a quick wave of their smartphone. Now, a new type of payment mechanism is gaining traction: cryptocurrencies.

By now, almost everyone has heard of Bitcoin. It was the first cryptocurrency to gain mainstream acceptance, but others are gaining traction.

There are almost 2,000 different types of cryptocurrencies, with new ones being created every day. According to research, the majority of individuals have heard of cryptocurrencies but do not fully comprehend what it is.

WHAT IS CRYPTOCURRENCY

Cryptocurrency is a digital payment mechanism that does not rely on banks for transaction verification. It’s a peer-to-peer system that allows anyone to make and receive payments from anywhere. Cryptocurrency payments are digital additions to an online database that specify specific transactions, rather than actual money that is carried around and exchanged in the real world.

The transactions that you make with cryptocurrency funds are recorded in a public ledger. A digital wallet is where you keep your cryptocurrency.

The name cryptocurrency comes from the fact that it uses encryption to verify transactions. This means that storing and sending cryptocurrency data between wallets and to public ledgers requires complex coding. The encryption’s goal is to give security and privacy.

THE SECURITY OF CRYPTOCURRENCY

Blockchain technology is commonly used to create cryptocurrencies. The method transactions are recorded in “blocks” and time stamped is described by blockchain. It’s a lengthy, complicated procedure, but the end result is a secure digital ledger of cryptocurrency transactions that hackers can’t alter.

Transactions also necessitate a two-factor authentication process. To begin a transaction, you might be requested to enter a login and password. Then you may be required to input an authentication code sent to your personal cell phone through text message. While security measures are in place, this does not mean that cryptocurrencies are impenetrable to hackers.

In fact, some high-profile thefts have wreaked havoc on bitcoin businesses. In 2018, hackers stole $534 million from Coincheck and $195 million from BitGrail. According to Investopedia, this makes them two of the biggest cryptocurrency hacks of 2018.

TIPS FOR INVESTING IN CRYPTOCURRENCY

Investments are always dangerous, but according to Consumer Reports, some experts believe bitcoin is one of the riskier investment options available. Digital currencies, on the other hand, are among the hottest commodities. CNBC predicted earlier this year that the cryptocurrency market would hit $1 trillion in value by the end of 2018. If you’re thinking about investing in cryptocurrencies, there are a few things you should know.

Research Collaborations
Learn about bitcoin exchanges before you invest a single dollar. These platforms let users to purchase and sell digital currencies, but according to Bitcoin.com, there are 500 different exchanges to select from. Before making a decision, do your homework, study reviews, and speak with more experienced investors.

Know How to Safely Store Your Cryptocurrency
You must store cryptocurrency if you purchase it. You can keep it on an exchange or in a digital “wallet,” such as one of the crypto wallets listed in our blog post Which cryptocurrency wallet should I use? While there are numerous types of wallets, each has its own set of advantages, technological needs, and security features. You should invest in the same way as you would on exchanges.

Invest in a variety of things.
Diversification is an important part of any effective investment strategy, and it’s no different when it comes to cryptocurrency. Don’t put all of your money in Bitcoin just because it’s the term you’re familiar with. There are thousands of possibilities, and it’s ideal to diversify your portfolio by investing in other currencies.

Be ready for the unexpected.
Be aware that the cryptocurrency market is quite volatile, so expect ups and downs. Prices will fluctuate dramatically. Cryptocurrency may not be a good fit for you if your investment portfolio or mental health can’t manage it.

Cryptocurrency is currently all the rage, but keep in mind that it is still in its infancy. Investing in something new comes with its own set of obstacles, so be prepared.

Cryptocurrencies are generally utilized outside of traditional banking and government institutions and are traded over the Internet.

The rewards given to miners increase the cryptocurrency’s supply.

As long as benevolent nodes possess a majority of computer power, the network’s integrity may be preserved by ensuring that confirming transactions is a costly business. To make verification costly enough to accurately confirm p, the verification algorithm necessitates a lot of processing power, and consequently electricity.

The price of a coin is multiplied by the number of coins in circulation to determine its “market cap.”

Bitcoin has historically dominated the whole cryptocurrency market cap, accounting for at least 50% of the market cap value, with altcoins increasing and decreasing in market cap value in relation to Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s value is mostly controlled by speculation, as well as other technological limiting considerations like block chain incentives, which are coded into Bitcoin’s architecture technology.

The cryptocurrency market cap follows a pattern known as “halving,” which occurs when the block rewards obtained from Bitcoin are halved owing to technologically enforced restricted variables infused into Bitcoin, which in turn causes the cryptocurrency market value to decrease.

The bitcoin market has been extremely turbulent in the last 24 hours. The volume of trades increased, confirming the panic selling. Many alternative tokens, on the other hand, exhibited only a minor rebound.

According to a study by Fidelity’s cryptocurrency company, seven out of ten institutional investors plan to invest in or buy digital assets in the future, despite price volatility being the biggest hurdle for new entrants.

 

CRYPTOCURRENCIES ARE THE NEW ASSET! CRYPTOCURRENCIES ARE ON PEAK ! CRYPTO-BILL! CRYPTO IN INDIA! AND WHAT NOT.

A LOT OF US MIGHT WONDER , WHY HAS THE CRYPTOCURRENCY BECOME A BIG HIT and WHAT IS IT ??

CRYPTOCURRENCIES ARE DIGITALISED AND DECENTRALISED ASSETS. THE TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE MADE ARE HIGHLY SECURED. THEY WORK ON BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY. THAT IS A PUBLIC LEDGER. ALL THE TRANSACTIONS ARE STORED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE TRANSACTIONS, THUS A LOT OF COUNTRIES HAVE BANNED CRYPTOCURRENCIES OR THEIR STATUS IS LEFT UNCLEARED.

BITCOIN THE THE MOST SYNONYMOUS CRYPTOCURRENCY BUT SINCE LAST 6 MONTHS EVEN ETHEREUM AND DOGECOIN HAVE GAINED POPULARITY.

IT WORKS JUST LIKE TEH STOCK MARKET, THE PRICES RISE AND FALL. STOCK MARKETS HAVE BANKS IN BETWEEN FOR TRANSATION BUT CRYPTOCURRENCIES HAVE THEIR OWN BASE.

INVESTMENT IN CRYPTOCURRENCY IS ADOPTED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE. BUT DUE TO UNCERTAINITY OF DROP IN PRICE SOME RESIST INVESTING IN IT.

 

In order to understand the merits and demerits of the CryptoCurrency Bill, also called Crypto Bill, one has to delve into the sphere and understand what cryptocurrency is. This is required for a clearer understanding of the bill. Not only this, but the knowledge of cryptocurrency will also aid one in forming their own opinions of the same.

What is cryptocurrency? – It is a digital form of money and is decentralized. This means that unlike the US Dollar or the Euro, there is no centralized body to regulate and manage its value. It can also be termed as a deregulated form of money. Cryptocurrency is monitored by peer-to-peer internet protocol and is an encrypted string of data encoded to signify one unit of currency.

In a nutshell, cryptocurrency is just like paper money and can be used to carry out day-to-day transactions and buy regular goods and services although many people invest in cryptocurrencies as they would in other assets, such as stocks or precious metals such as gold.

Why is cryptocurrency gaining traction? –   Albeit the fame of cryptocurrency in other countries is commendable with instances like Elon Musk investing a handsome amount of money on Bitcoin( a form of cryptocurrency), people in India too are showing interest. Understanding this phenomenon is important to understand the aftermath of the bill (if implemented).

1. Failing government policies –   It is no secret that many government policies have failed miserably having an impact on the economy of the country. Plus, in the last two years, the business has slowed down due to the ongoing pandemic and no one knows what’s in store for the future. Also, nothing appreciable has been done by the government for the revival of the economy. With all these phenomena going on, crypto has been a savior and hence the inclination of people towards it. This has been possible because of the decentralized and the deregulated nature of the currency.
2. Progressive Taxation – Taxes are no doubt a necessity. An individual who earns more has to pay a higher tax and a person who earns less, has to contribute less. But in the case of crypto, no such system exists. It is a good escape from the taxation system and nevertheless the less digital knowledge of the currency and its working, it is gaining fame.
3. Type of digital gold – People invest in a lot of things. Precious artifacts, stocks, and precious, high-value metals. One metal that all people invest in is Gold. Prices of gold usually increase providing people with a good deal of benefits and it seldom disappoints. Somewhat similar is the case with cryptocurrency. The meteoric rise that people witness in it is a key factor of people getting more interested.

But is crypto full of advantages and no negatives? That is not the case. Understanding its disadvantages is equally important to weigh the consequences of the bill better.

Perils of cryptocurrency –  

1. Deregulated –  Deregulated nature of the crypto can be advantageous not just to genuine users but also to hackers and spoofing. Digital theft is a possibility since no one is present to oversee the activities.
2. Stability-  The graph does not always go high. There have been times when downfall has been witnessed. The volatility of crypto is another aspect that needs to be kept in mind.
3. Scalability-  While security and decentralization are what the main focus of crypto is, speed remains an issue.

THE CRYPTOCURRENCY BILL –  In the year 2018, a circular by the RBI was issued barring banks and other financial institutions from facilitating transactions using crypto. SC however quashed the circular on grounds of ‘disproportionality’ and business using crypto resumed. In the Budget Session held from January 29, 2021-April 18,2021, the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 was to be introduced. This proposed creation of a facilitative framework for the creation of ‘official digital currency’ and prohibit all private crypto in India. This however was presented neither in the Budget nor the Monsoon session. The reason given was more introspection on the matter.

What if the bill is implemented in India? Will it be useful for the masses as a whole or will the rich become richer? Is it a good deal to exit the crypto bus?

The fact that corruption will be controlled because of the digital signature mechanism of the currency cannot be neglected. FDIs will be attracted. Technological development will be promoted for sure. India will be able to compete with the developed nations across the globe.

A host of advantages exist but the next question arises –Given the digital literacy divide and money in hands of a few, is India ready?

I leave the choice to you.

 Introduction

Cryptocurrency has seen an enormous rise in the market recently. It is a form of online payment which can be exchanged for goods and services. There are many companies who issued their own coins or tokens which can only be traded in that particular company which released them. Cryptocurrency works using a technology which is known as blockchain. Blockchain is a technology which is spread across computers and maintains records of transactions. The main appeal of this technology is its security.

Bitcoin, the first blockchain based cryptocurrency, was created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto. From then it has been the most popular and most valued cryptocurrency. Currently there are more than 10,000 different coins which are being traded publicly. Nowadays people are racing to buy crypto because they think coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin are the currencies of future. But for this to happen, they need to be stable, for the traders and merchants to determine a fair price for their goods and services. Bitcoin, the face of cryptocurrency holds almost 50% of the total value of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is also the most traded coin in this world.

People can trade different types of cryptocurrencies with the help of online brokers like Coinbase, Robinhood, Webull, TradeStation, etc. Cryptocurrency has hit its all time high of 2.2 trillion dollars in April and currently has a value of more than 1.4 trillion dollars with Bitcoin holding a value of more than 630 trillion dollars. Many of the big name investors see cryptocurrency as the future but also tell that it is highly profitable and also highly risky because of its instability.

Advantages of Cryptocurrency

Cryptos hold the promise for making the transaction of funds easier between two people directly without the need of a third person such as banks, etc. They are also very secure because of the technology used in it. The transfers are completed with minimal processing fee unlike the banks. It allows the users to avoid the high processing fees charged by the banks.

Disadvantages of Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies are very private and anonymous which make them a host for many illegal activities such as money laundering and tax evasion. Coins like Bitcoin whose forensic analysis have helped the government track and prosecute criminals. But there are many coins like Dash, Zcash which are very private and very difficult to trace.

Investment in Cryptocurrency

Cryptos can be used as a source for either as quick income or for long term holdings, as it is very unstable. Cryptocurrencies offer high risk but high reward. People with experience and people who can read the markets clearly can reap huge amounts of profits from this. There are many coins or tokens like Tether which are suitable for long term holdings and coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum are suitable for making quick profits.