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Cryptocurrencies have enjoyed an unparalleled level of popularity in recent times. While once considered to represent a niche market, tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are entering into mainstream use thanks in no small part to the rise in e-commerce.
While this is great news for investors as well as the average consumer, this meteoric rise has some concern. Governments, in particular, have expressed their desire to reign in the crypto marketplace. Does such a move make any sense? If so, what benefits might it provide? Are there any potential drawbacks associated with tighter regulatory controls? These are all extremely relevant questions and if we wish to know what the future may have in store, each should be examined in more detail.
The Current State of Play of the Crypto Marketplace
One of the most appealing aspects of crypto trading is associated with its inherently anonymous nature. Unlike fiat transactions and investments, personal details are never kept within any type of digital ledger. This provides an additional level of security while helping to ensure that sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands.
While anonymity has always been a tenet of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, its sheer size has also been steadily increasing over the past few years. This partially arises from the fact that tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum represent convenient payment solutions for online services; the virtual casino community is a perfect example of how “hybrid” (fiat and crypto platforms) are becoming commonplace.
Furthermore, we are also seeing a proliferation in the number of smaller projects such as altcoins. Although some of these are intended for nothing more than entertainment purposes, others feel that they could very well represent ground-floor investments for those who do not possess a great deal of capital.
These are some of the main trends attributed to the cryptocurrency sector. So, what aspects have some governing bodies concerned? It is just as prudent to take a look at the other side of this virtual coin.
Accountability and Oversight
One issue which has come to light in recent times involves the type of internal oversight that the cryptocurrency markets can provide to their investors. After all, these digital environments are not controlled by any type of central bank or regulatory body. Issues such as price manipulation and similar fraudulent activities have been cited by some. The speculative and occasionally volatile nature of cryptocurrencies has likewise drawn a fair amount of attention. The proponents of additional regulation highlight these as some areas that could benefit from increase levels of accountability.
Will We See More Oversight?
All eyes are focused upon the United States at the moment. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is taking part in an ongoing debate as to whether cryptocurrencies should be classified (in general) as tradable securities. If this becomes a reality, it opens up the door for much more stringent regulatory policies.
The issue here is that such a move could easily transform into a double-edged sword. While some institutional investors may benefit from an additional degree of accountability, the notion of a truly decentralised market will no longer be valid and could ablate one of the core tenets of cryptocurrencies as a whole.
Another question involving jurisdiction arises. Let us assume for a moment that the United States SEC begins to leverage a greater degree of control over the crypto markets. There is a very real chance that individuals and institutional investors alike will simply look elsewhere for trading opportunities (such as the European Union). This could dramatically impact the operations of firms primarily based out of the United States including Binance, Kraken and Robinhood.
Are Regulations Imminent?
Some could logically argue that regulations within the cryptocurrency community are warranted; highlighting recent news stories such as the downfall of FTX as a trading platform. Others will observe that any type of centralised regulation erodes the core principle of cryptocurrencies as a whole. Indeed, both would be correct to an extent.
The bottom line is that some type of regulatory framework is likely needed if we assume that the crypto markets continue to gain momentum. Whether or not this involves direct action from the SEC or another governmental body is yet to be seen. Either way, the fact that such concerns have come to light illustrates the mainstream nature of cryptocurrency trading as well as how these tokens are much more than a one-off investment opportunity.
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Ghananewshome
