After China, India’s central bank warns: Beware of bitcoin

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But the recent price surge comes with tremendous risks: Bitcoin was launched in by an anonymous author under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto as a way of transacting among participants without the need for intermediaries.

Cryptocurrencies are not currencies. As the Financial Times explains, bitcoin is a string of computer codes, which means new bitcoins can be created — in its case, up to an agreed limit — by computers that gain the right to do so by solving complex puzzles.

Transactions are recorded in a database called a blockchain. You have to sell it to realise any value. And, like gold and other currencies, it can be transferred peer to peer.

Part of the nervousness about bitcoin is that it, and other cryptocurrencies, challenge the traditional role of banks and central banks. In the classical world, banks act as intermediaries by providing loans out of the deposits they take and from funding from the central bank.

The central bank uses the rate at which it provides this funding as a lever to ensure price stability. The introduction of cryptocurrencies threatens this model because banks are no longer necessary to intermediate funds and there is no central bank to ensure that prices are stable. The more immediate fears about bitcoin centre on the recent dramatic rise in its value.

The flash crash echoes long-standing warnings that the bitcoin party will end in tears. In a highly unusual alliance, his words were echoed by economics Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, who has gone even further, arguing that bitcoin ought to be outlawed.

These are clear warning signs that the professionals do not trust the lofty promises of crypto enthusiasts. There is no doubt that bitcoin — and in particular the blockchain technology behind it — has the potential to revolutionise the financial services industry.

A blockchain functions as central banks warn of bitcoin risks of donating transparent and incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions, recorded in chronological order, which operates on a peer-to-peer network.

Fundamentally, the technology allows exchange of value to occur in an environment of peers with conflicting interests without the need for trusted intermediaries. That, in effect, wipes out the need for banks or financial services companies, which fulfil this role. The use of the technology is not limited to financial transactions.

Virtually anything of value can be traded on a blockchain. But no matter how central banks warn of bitcoin risks of donating the blockchain technology is, or how widely it can be applied, there are real and substantial risks central banks warn of bitcoin risks of donating in bitcoin.

The first and most significant risk is that, compared with any currency, share or gold, bitcoin is extremely volatile. Its volatility to the US dollar is almost six times the volatility of the rand to the dollar. Although this is great in good times, it is potentially devastating for investors in bad times. When professional investors decide on which assets to hold, they look at both the return and the volatility of the asset.

Only investors with a healthy appetite for risk are willing to invest in risky, volatile assets. Usually these are finance professionals, for example in large investment banks or hedge funds.

Investors with a lower risk appetite, such as asset managers or pension funds, prefer less volatile assets with a somewhat lower return. The rule of thumb is that the sophistication of an investor increases with the volatility of the asset she invests in.

The practical uses of bitcoin are limited. Bitcoin is favoured by pyramid schemes, including the infamous MMM pyramid scheme in Nigeria. In a recent article, the Financial Times described bitcoin as a pyramid scheme, much to the dismay of crypto enthusiasts.

A pyramid scheme is usually an illegal operation in which participants pay to join and profit mainly from payments made by subsequent participants. If no new people come in, it collapses. The third and possibly biggest risk is regulatory. In September, the Chinese government outlawed bitcoin exchanges, sending the price of bitcoin tumbling.

Central banks warn of bitcoin risks of donating at any point the Chinese government should decide to make bitcoin mining illegal the price is likely to plunge. Other countries have also voiced concern. Central banks warn of bitcoin risks of donating Russian Central Bank recently issued a warning to investors about the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies, citing concerns about a bubble.

This suggests that there might be a crackdown. Cryptocurrencies are banned in India because their use is a violation of foreign exchange rules. The Australian Reserve Bank has taken a different approach. It monitors the cryptocurrency market in a bid to understand the underlying technology. The South African Reserve Bank has expressed its openness to blockchain technologies but it has highlighted potential risks to consumers.

Adverts promise it can make you rich fast. And social media is alive with stories about people who have made a lot of money with bitcoin. These cases are real, and those who invested early can reap large benefits.

But this is true in every bubble — from Dotcom to tulip mania. Investors should be extremely wary with any scheme that promises quick returns.

Create Account Lost Your Password? Toggle navigation Toggle profile. The blockchain factor There is no doubt that bitcoin — and in particular the blockchain technology behind it — has the potential to revolutionise the financial services industry. Volatility versus returns The first and most significant risk is that, compared with any currency, share or gold, bitcoin is extremely volatile.

Overvalued There is a huge risk that bitcoin is already overvalued. Regulatory risk The third and possibly biggest risk is regulatory. Read more from Qobolwakhe Dube. National Rumana Akoob Equal Education hit by another sexual misconduct case. On Monday, Equal Education released a statement saying its former head had resigned after allegations of sexual harassment.

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Updated January 18, Bitcoin will not replace national currencies and cryptocurrency prices are in one of the biggest bubbles in history, which is set to burst, warn analysts from Capital Economics. In a page research note, London-based economists Vicky Redwood and Kerrie Walsh outline in detail their reasons for believing that bitcoin does not have a bright long-term future, even if the blockchain technology behind it does. Ms Redwood, in particular, should know a thing or two about currencies, having worked at the Bank of England after studying at Oxford and the University of Warwick.

The note was released after the bitcoin price plunged by around a quarter in about a day , with other major cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Ripple falling by even more. One of the biggest problems with cryptocurrencies is that they do not have what analysts call an "intrinsic value" — unlike shares, they do not pay dividends; unlike housing, there is no potential rent; unlike gold, they are not physically useful or even pretty.

Cryptocurrency devotees counter this by arguing that so-called "fiat currencies" — money issued or backed by central banks — are also intrinsically worthless. But unlike dollars, for example, bitcoin is not backed by a credible authority, such as a central bank or government," the report countered. Some argue that bitcoin's value will be in supplanting gold as the world's preferred safe haven store of wealth.

However, that would assume that bitcoin was the sole accepted cryptocurrency, whereas its dominance is currently being challenged by more than a thousand rivals. The economists also warn that few current bitcoin investors appear to have done such calculations and risk analysis before speculating. But, take a moment of pause for some dubious national pride, as bitcoin still has a long way to go to beat one of the world's biggest ever major bubbles, that of Australian resources firm Poseidon in Accordingly, they rose times over the space of just a few months.

For instance, any company that even mentions the word 'blockchain' sees an immediate jump in its value," they noted.

This happened recently when Kodak's share price surged after the struggling imaging company announced it was launching its own cryptocurrency. This avalanche of new cryptocurrencies is a key reason why the economists believe there is a bubble in many of the existing ones. The good news is that, aside from draining the savings of a handful of millennial enthusiasts and wealthy tech speculators, Capital Economics believes the wider fallout will be limited.

Bitcoin's market capitalisation is still small; it is not held by institutions; and it has little correlation with other financial markets," they noted. As for their claim that the possibility of bitcoin replacing fiat currencies is "rubbish", the economists point to some of the reasons why governments moved away from the gold standard to floating exchange rates.

A widespread adoption of bitcoin could prompt a re-run of the problems seen under the gold standard. But the analysts do see a potential role for central bank digital currencies CBDCs , despite Australia's Reserve Bank governor talking down the idea recently.

Allowing businesses and households to bypass banks for simple transactions could also boost economic growth. Outside the financial sector, the underlying blockchain technology behind bitcoin also has a wide range in uses, from facilitating transactions and trade, to maintaining government records such as tax, health and property transfers.

First posted January 18, If you have inside knowledge of a topic in the news, contact the ABC. ABC teams share the story behind the story and insights into the making of digital, TV and radio content. Read about our editorial guiding principles and the enforceable standard our journalists follow. In Australia, many brides have called time on the tradition of a father giving them away, along with the best man, the bouquet toss and lately even the groom.

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By business reporter Michael Janda. Capital Economics says claims bitcoin will replace fiat currencies are "rubbish". Pump turns to dump — bitcoin and cryptocurrency prices plummet. Banks 'unwilling to work' with Bitcoin traders amid regulation concerns. Shares skyrocket on new photo currency. Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple prices since January What bitcoin says about us Bitcoin is a formula almost guaranteed to end in tears, but still speculators pile in to the bubble, writes Ian Verrender.

Bitcoin's rise dwarfs the US housing bubble or dotcom boom, and even the 17th century's Tulipmania. Holdings of bitcoin are concentrated amongst a few large owners.

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Connect with ABC News. Got a news tip? Editorial Policies Read about our editorial guiding principles and the enforceable standard our journalists follow. I ignored outdated wedding traditions and Meghan can too In Australia, many brides have called time on the tradition of a father giving them away, along with the best man, the bouquet toss and lately even the groom. How likely is a referendum? By political reporter Matthew Doran After 15 parliamentarians were brought down by a tricky section of the constitution, a bipartisan parliamentary committee wants a referendum to change it.

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