According to digital security expert John McAfee, the governments of the world have started a war against cryptones, since they feel threatened because they can not control them in the same way that they control fiat money.
The statements were given at the first global event on blockchain technology in Hong Kong, adding that governments are looking at ways to curb the ability of bitcoin and other cryptones to facilitate the flow of funds worldwide.
Today will go down in history as the beginning of the war between the enthusiasts of the criptomonedas and the governments of the world
John McAfee
CEO, MGT Capital Investments
McAfee told the South China Morning Post, referring to recent conflicts between governments and people who support the development of digital currencies, whom he calls "fugitives."
He also said that "if governments are not able to know what the movement will be unable to perceive profits. That will cause panic in some countries. China is already seeing it. "
It refers in particular to the actions taken by the central government of China, which during this month has banned the Initial Currency Offers (ICO) and has gradually closed all exchange houses established in the country.
Two of China's biggest exchange houses, OKCoin and Huobi, issued statements on Friday night saying they would cut all transactions between bitcoin and yuan by Oct. 31. For its part, BTC China, the Shanghai-based exchange house, reported the previous day that it would not conduct further transactions after 30 September.
Aurélien Menant, founder and chief executive of Gatecoin, a Hong Kong-based exchange house, told the media:
Transactions in Japan, Korea, the United States and Hong Kong now dominate the cryptong currencies exchange activities after major restrictions were imposed on Chinese exchanges in January. Most currency sales and blockchain technology developments have had and continue to take place outside of China, and large mining operations in Russia, Europe and the United States have emerged to challenge Chinese colleagues.
Aurélien Menant
CEO, Gatecoin
The regulatory status of cryptomonedas is very varied around the world and, although some countries are closed to the technology, like China and Australia, others open their doors, like Malaysia, Russia or Korea.