The representative of the European Central Bank urged governments to regulate and tax Bitcoin, cryptocurrency considering the object of speculation and a tool of money laundering.
"You should apply the basic rule for any financial transaction – each participant must reveal their identity", – said the ECB Board member Ewald Nowotny in an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
Nowotny, who is also head of the Austrian Central Bank, I am sure that we need a value added tax of Bitcoin, because it is not currency.
Other ECB officials also commented on the surge in the price of Bitcoin. Many of them believe the leading cryptocurrency bubble, and not a digital competitor to the Euro currency. However, the "digital gold" is of concern to Central banks because it can afford to launder money and evade other rules in the traditional financial system.
"We decided to stop printing banknotes of 500 euros to combat money laundering, has imposed strict rules on every tiny savings Fund, but have to watch people quietly launder money around the world using Bitcoins. That can't happen," said Novotny.
Bitcoin is the leading cryptocurrency, which is now trading in the range of $15 500, and a few weeks ago I updated his record in $20 000. However, it is susceptible to high volatility and authorities in many countries believe that the cryptocurrency is used for money laundering and other illegal activities.
author:Maxim Centurion | 03 Jan 2018 12:45