Virtual Currency Schemes of 2012
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Is the International Role of the Dollar Changing?
Is the International Role of the Dollar Changing? Linda S. Goldberg Recently the U.S. dollar’s preeminence as an international currency has been questioned. The emergence of the euro, changes www.newyorkfed.org/research/current_issues ✦ in the dollar’s value, and the fi nancial market crisis have, in the view of many commentators, posed a signifi cant challenge to the currency’s long-standing position in world markets. However, a study of the dollar across critical areas of international trade January 2010 ✦ and fi nance suggests that the dollar has retained its standing in key roles. While changes in the global status of the dollar are possible, factors such as inertia in currency use, the large size and relative stability of the U.S. economy, and the dollar pricing of oil and other commodities will help perpetuate the dollar’s role as the dominant medium for international transactions. Volume 16, Number 1 Volume y many measures, the U.S. dollar is the most important currency in the world. IN ECONOMICS AND FINANCE It plays a central role in international trade and fi nance as both a store of value Band a medium of exchange. Many countries have adopted an exchange rate regime that anchors the value of their home currency to that of the dollar. Dollar holdings fi gure prominently in offi cial foreign exchange (FX) reserves—the foreign currency deposits and bonds maintained by monetary authorities and governments. And in international trade, the dollar is widely used for invoicing and settling import and export transactions around the world. -
Cryptocurrency: the Economics of Money and Selected Policy Issues
Cryptocurrency: The Economics of Money and Selected Policy Issues Updated April 9, 2020 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45427 SUMMARY R45427 Cryptocurrency: The Economics of Money and April 9, 2020 Selected Policy Issues David W. Perkins Cryptocurrencies are digital money in electronic payment systems that generally do not require Specialist in government backing or the involvement of an intermediary, such as a bank. Instead, users of the Macroeconomic Policy system validate payments using certain protocols. Since the 2008 invention of the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies have proliferated. In recent years, they experienced a rapid increase and subsequent decrease in value. One estimate found that, as of March 2020, there were more than 5,100 different cryptocurrencies worth about $231 billion. Given this rapid growth and volatility, cryptocurrencies have drawn the attention of the public and policymakers. A particularly notable feature of cryptocurrencies is their potential to act as an alternative form of money. Historically, money has either had intrinsic value or derived value from government decree. Using money electronically generally has involved using the private ledgers and systems of at least one trusted intermediary. Cryptocurrencies, by contrast, generally employ user agreement, a network of users, and cryptographic protocols to achieve valid transfers of value. Cryptocurrency users typically use a pseudonymous address to identify each other and a passcode or private key to make changes to a public ledger in order to transfer value between accounts. Other computers in the network validate these transfers. Through this use of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency systems protect their public ledgers of accounts against manipulation, so that users can only send cryptocurrency to which they have access, thus allowing users to make valid transfers without a centralized, trusted intermediary. -
Cryptocurrencies As an Alternative to Fiat Monetary Systems David A
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Digital Commons at Buffalo State State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College Digital Commons at Buffalo State Applied Economics Theses Economics and Finance 5-2018 Cryptocurrencies as an Alternative to Fiat Monetary Systems David A. Georgeson State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College, [email protected] Advisor Tae-Hee Jo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics & Finance First Reader Tae-Hee Jo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics & Finance Second Reader Victor Kasper Jr., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics & Finance Third Reader Ted P. Schmidt, Ph.D., Professor of Economics & Finance Department Chair Frederick G. Floss, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Economics & Finance To learn more about the Economics and Finance Department and its educational programs, research, and resources, go to http://economics.buffalostate.edu. Recommended Citation Georgeson, David A., "Cryptocurrencies as an Alternative to Fiat Monetary Systems" (2018). Applied Economics Theses. 35. http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/economics_theses/35 Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/economics_theses Part of the Economic Theory Commons, Finance Commons, and the Other Economics Commons Cryptocurrencies as an Alternative to Fiat Monetary Systems By David A. Georgeson An Abstract of a Thesis In Applied Economics Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts May 2018 State University of New York Buffalo State Department of Economics and Finance ABSTRACT OF THESIS Cryptocurrencies as an Alternative to Fiat Monetary Systems The recent popularity of cryptocurrencies is largely associated with a particular application referred to as Bitcoin. -
The Pound Sterling
ESSAYS IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE No. 13, February 1952 THE POUND STERLING ROY F. HARROD INTERNATIONAL FINANCE SECTION DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Princeton, New Jersey The present essay is the thirteenth in the series ESSAYS IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE published by the International Finance Section of the Department of Economics and Social Institutions in Princeton University. The author, R. F. Harrod, is joint editor of the ECONOMIC JOURNAL, Lecturer in economics at Christ Church, Oxford, Fellow of the British Academy, and• Member of the Council of the Royal Economic So- ciety. He served in the Prime Minister's Office dur- ing most of World War II and from 1947 to 1950 was a member of the United Nations Sub-Committee on Employment and Economic Stability. While the Section sponsors the essays in this series, it takes no further responsibility for the opinions therein expressed. The writer's are free to develop their topics as they will and their ideas may or may - • v not be shared by the editorial committee of the Sec- tion or the members of the Department. The Section welcomes the submission of manu- scripts for this series and will assume responsibility for a careful reading of them and for returning to the authors those found unacceptable for publication. GARDNER PATTERSON, Director International Finance Section THE POUND STERLING ROY F. HARROD Christ Church, Oxford I. PRESUPPOSITIONS OF EARLY POLICY S' TERLING was at its heyday before 1914. It was. something ' more than the British currency; it was universally accepted as the most satisfactory medium for international transactions and might be regarded as a world currency, even indeed as the world cur- rency: Its special position waS,no doubt connected with the widespread ramifications of Britain's foreign trade and investment. -
The Nature of Decentralized Virtual Currencies: Benefits, Risks and Regulations
MILE 14 Thesis | Fall 2014 The Nature of Decentralized Virtual Currencies: Benefits, Risks and Regulations. Paul du Plessis Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kern Alexander 1 DECLARATION This master thesis has been written in partial fulfilment of the Master of International Law and Economics Programme at the World Trade Institute. The ideas and opinions expressed in this paper are made independently, represent my own views and are based on my own research. I confirm that this work is my own and has not been submitted for academic credit in any other subject or course. I have acknowledged all material and sources used in this paper. I understand that my thesis may be made available in the World Trade Institute library. 2 ABSTRACT Virtual currency schemes have proliferated in recent years and have become a focal point of media and regulators. The objective of this paper is to provide a description of the technical nature of Bitcoin and the reason for its existence. With an understanding of the basic workings of this new payment system, we can draw comparisons to fiat currency, analyze the associated risks and benefits, and effectively discusses the current regulatory framework. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 4 2. The Evolution of Money .......................................................................... 6 2.1. Defining Money ................................................................................. 6 2.2. The Origin of Money ........................................................................ -
Presentation-From-Roundatable-4-Out
Central Europe & eurozone Saturday, 6 October 2018 Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras dr. Kinga Brudzinska [email protected] Overlapping Europes *Kosovo and Montenegro use Euro but are not part of the EU European Commission, “White Paper on the Future of Europe: Reflections and scenarios for the EU27 by 2025”, 2017 Short history of the euro ⊲ The Delors report (1989), proposed to articulate the realisation of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in different stages, which ultimately led to the creation of the single currency: the euro. ⊲ The Maastricht Treaty (1992), signed by twelve member countries of the, at the time called, European Community, now the EU. Among the many topics discussed, the European Council decided to create an Economic and Monetary Union. It entered into force on 1 November 1993. ⊲ Euro entered into force for the first time on 1 January 1999 in eleven of the, at the time, fifteen Member States of the Union, but only for non-physical forms of payment. The old currencies co-existed with the new currency until 28 February 2002, the date on which they ceased their legal tender and could not be accepted for payments. ⊲ The Lisbon Treaty (2009) The observance of the parameters established in the various European Treaties, is then merged into this treaty to try to get out of the crisis (Lehman Bank, 2008) and prevent it from being repeated in the future. ⊲ On 9 May 2010 the Council of the European Union agreed on the creation of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) (to provide aid to debt-laiden Eurozone countries) and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM). -
Central Bank Cryptocurrencies1
Morten Bech Rodney Garratt [email protected] [email protected] Central bank cryptocurrencies1 New cryptocurrencies are emerging almost daily, and many interested parties are wondering whether central banks should issue their own versions. But what might central bank cryptocurrencies (CBCCs) look like and would they be useful? This feature provides a taxonomy of money that identifies two types of CBCC – retail and wholesale – and differentiates them from other forms of central bank money such as cash and reserves. It discusses the different characteristics of CBCCs and compares them with existing payment options. JEL classification: E41, E42, E51, E58. In less than a decade, bitcoin has gone from being an obscure curiosity to a household name. Its value has risen – with ups and downs – from a few cents per coin to over $4,000. In the meantime, hundreds of other cryptocurrencies – equalling bitcoin in market value – have emerged (Graph 1, left-hand panel). While it seems unlikely that bitcoin or its sisters will displace sovereign currencies, they have demonstrated the viability of the underlying blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT). Venture capitalists and financial institutions are investing heavily in DLT projects that seek to provide new financial services as well as deliver old ones more efficiently. Bloggers, central bankers and academics are predicting transformative or disruptive implications for payments, banks and the financial system at large.2 Lately, central banks have entered the fray, with several announcing that they are exploring or experimenting with DLT, and the prospect of central bank crypto- or digital currencies is attracting considerable attention. But making sense of all this is difficult. -
Chapter 2 International Monetary System Answers & Solutions to End-Of-Chapter Questions and Problems
CHAPTER 2 INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM ANSWERS & SOLUTIONS TO END-OF-CHAPTER QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS QUESTIONS 1. Explain Gresham’s Law. Answer: Gresham’s law refers to the phenomenon that bad (abundant) money drives good (scarce) money out of circulation. This kind of phenomenon was often observed under the bimetallic standard under which both gold and silver were used as means of payments, with the exchange rate between the two fixed. 2. Explain the mechanism which restores the balance of payments equilibrium when it is disturbed under the gold standard. Answer: The adjustment mechanism under the gold standard is referred to as the price-specie- flow mechanism expounded by David Hume. Under the gold standard, a balance of payment disequilibrium will be corrected by a counter-flow of gold. Suppose that the U.S. imports more from the U.K. than it exports to the latter. Under the classical gold standard, gold, which is the only means of international payments, will flow from the U.S. to the U.K. As a result, the U.S. (U.K.) will experience a decrease (increase) in money supply. This means that the price level will tend to fall in the U.S. and rise in the U.K. Consequently, the U.S. products become more competitive in the export market, while U.K. products become less competitive. This change will improve U.S. balance of payments and at the same time hurt the U.K. balance of payments, eventually eliminating the initial BOP disequilibrium. 3. Suppose that the pound is pegged to gold at 6 pounds per ounce, whereas the franc is pegged to gold at 12 francs per ounce. -
Ten Years from Now, What Will Be the Next Great Global Currency?”
Th€ Next Great Globa£ ¢urr€nc¥ TIE asked some of the THE MAGAZINE OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY 888 16th Street, N.W., Suite 740 Washington, D.C. 20006 Phone: 202-861-0791 • Fax: 202-861-0790 world’s key experts: www.international-economy.com “Ten years from now, what will be the next great global currency?” 22 THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY SPRING 2008 The Dollar The U.S. dollar will continue to be the dominant international currency. The dollar EDWIN M. TRUMAN Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics will reemerge. he U.S. dollar will continue to be the dominant interna- tional currency in ten years. It is still the only true inter- DAVID C. MULFORD Tnational currency; that is one that is used by parties that U.S. Ambassador to India and do not include U.S. residents. Do you see euro- denominated former Undersecretary for bonds issued in New York as dollar-denominated bonds are International Affairs, U.S. Treasury issued in London? Looking just at reserve holdings and con- sidering only developing countries as the most relevant hat goes around comes around. We have been group, it is true that since the first quarter of 1999, the dollar’s around this loop before. The dollar will reemerge as share has declined 10.6 percentage points in value terms, but Wthe U.S. economy restores its position in the world. in quantity terms the decline has been only 6.8 percentage points and the dollar’s decline was at a faster pace before the dollar’s peak in the first quarter of 2002 than since then. -
What's in Your E-Wallet?
Are You An Informed Investor? What’s in your e-Wallet? Virtual currency, which includes digital and crypto-currency are gaining in both popularity and controversy. Thousands of merchants, businesses and other organizations currently accept Bitcoin, one example of crypto-currency, in lieu of traditional currency. An ATM in Las Vegas and the arena of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings professional basketball team both accept Bitcoin. Two attractive characteristics of virtual currency are lower transaction fees and greater anonymity. However, virtual currency is not without risk. Bitcoin exchanges claim to have suffered losses from hacking. MtGox, one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges, recently shut down after claiming to be the victim of hackers and losing more than $350 million of virtual currency. Despite the controversy, virtual currency may find its way into your e-Wallet. What is Virtual Currency? • Virtual currency is subject to minimal regulation, Virtual currency is an electronic medium of susceptible to cyber-attacks and there may be no exchange that, unlike real money, is not controlled recourse should the virtual currency disappear. or backed by a central government or central bank. Virtual currency includes crypto-currency • Virtual currency accounts are not insured by the such as Bitcoin, Ripple or Litecoin. This currency Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), can be bought or sold through virtual currency which insures bank deposits up to $250,000. exchanges and used to purchase goods or services where accepted. These currencies are stored in an • Investments tied to virtual currency may be electronic wallet, also known as an e-Wallet. unsuitable for most investors due to their volatility. -
CFTC Whistleblower Alert: Be on the Lookout for Virtual Currency Fraud
CFTC Whistleblower Alert: Be on the Lookout for Virtual Currency Fraud The Whistleblower Office of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is issuing this alert to inform members of the public about how they may make themselves eligible for both financial awards and certain protections while helping stop fraud and manipulation relating to virtual currencies. What is a virtual currency? The Internal Revenue Service defines a virtual currency, such as Bitcoin, as a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value. Virtual currencies are commodities under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). When a virtual currency is used in a derivatives contract, or if there is fraud or manipulation involving a virtual currency traded in interstate commerce, CFTC enforcement of the CEA comes into play. What types of misconduct should you be on the lookout for? The CFTC has sued companies and individuals for fraudulently soliciting investments in virtual currencies. Conduct like that in the CabbageTech and My Big Coin cases is always of concern to the CFTC. Other concerns include: • Price manipulation (like pump-and-dump schemes) involving virtual currencies and other virtual assets. • Pre-arranged or wash trading of virtual currencies, or swaps or futures contracts based on virtual currencies. • Virtual currency futures or option contracts or swaps traded on an unregistered domestic platform or facility. • Certain schemes involving virtual currencies marketed to retail customers by unregistered persons, such as off-exchange leveraged, margined, or financed commodity transactions with persons, even without direct evidence of fraud or manipulation. -
Virtual Currencies – Key Definitions and Potential Aml/Cft Risks
FATF REPORT Virtual Currencies Key Definitions and Potential AML/CFT Risks June 2014 FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an independent inter-governmental body that develops and promotes policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The FATF Recommendations are recognised as the global anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) standard. For more information about the FATF, please visit the website: www.fatf-gafi.org © 2014 FATF/OECD. All rights reserved. No reproduction or translation of this publication may be made without prior written permission. Applications for such permission, for all or part of this publication, should be made to the FATF Secretariat, 2 rue André Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France (fax: +33 1 44 30 61 37 or e-mail: [email protected]). Photocredits coverphoto: ©Thinkstock VIRTUAL CURRENCIES – KEY DEFINITIONS AND POTENTIAL AML/CFT RISKS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 3 KEY DEFINITIONS: ................................................................................................................................ 3 Virtual Currency .................................................................................................................................... 4 Convertible Versus Non-Convertible Virtual Currency ........................................................................