Beyond Bitcoin: Issues in Regulating Blockchain Transactions

The buzz surrounding Bitcoin has reached a fever pitch. Yet in academic legal discussions, disproportionate emphasis is placed on bitcoins (that is, virtual currency), and little mention is made of blockchain technology—the true innovation behind the Bitcoin protocol. Simply, blockchain technology solves an elusive networking problem by enabling “trustless” transactions: value exchanges over computer networks that can be verified, monitored, and enforced without central institutions (for example, banks). This has broad implications for how we transact over electronic networks. This Note integrates current research from leading computer scientists and cryptographers to elevate the legal community’s understanding of blockchain technology and, ultimately, to inform policymakers and practitioners as they consider different regulatory schemes. An examination of the economic properties of a blockchain-based currency suggests the technology’s true value lies in its potential to facilitate more efficient digital-asset transfers. For example, applications of special interest to the legal community include more efficient document and authorship verification, title transfers, and contract enforcement. Though a regulatory patchwork around virtual currencies has begun to form, its careful analysis reveals much uncertainty with respect to these alternative applications

Financial Accounting Classification of Cryptocurrency

Currently, a large range of opinions exists regarding the appropriate classification and regulation of cryptocurrency. From the legal perspective, some suggest that cryptocurrency investments are too speculative. As a result of this, it is suggested that cryptocurrency should be more heavily regulated. This would be done to prevent speculators from losing vast wealth. Other legal analysts suggest that an increasing cryptocurrency regulation would have a detrimental effect on the state of cryptocurrency, and its use would cause long-term problems. From the accounting perspective, opinions vary. Some suggest an accounting classification that would make cryptocurrency cash equivalents; others suggest an accounting classification that would render cryptocurrency an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life. The “big 4” accounting firms that include Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst and Young, and KPMG recommend that cryptocurrency should be classified as an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life. However, other companies currently using cryptocurrency through the general operations of the business have decided to classify it differently. The legal perspectives and the accounting perspectives will be analyzed to determine appropriate regulations for cryptocurrency and an appropriate classification for cryptocurrency. The results will show that cryptocurrency should be classified as an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life for accounting purposes and as property for tax purposes

FinTech, blockchain and Islamic finance : an extensive literature review

Purpose: The paper aims to review the academic research work done in the area of Islamic financial technology. The Islamic FinTech area has been classified into three broad categories of the Islamic FinTech, Islamic Financial technology opportunities and challenges, Cryptocurrency/Blockchain sharia compliance and law/regulation. Finally, the study identifies and highlights the opportunities and challenges that Islamic Financial institutions can learn from the conventional FinTech organization across the world. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study collected 133 research studies (50 from Social Science Research Network (SSRN), 30 from Research gate, 33 from Google Scholar and 20 from other sources) in the area of Islamic Financial Technology. The study presents the systematic review of the above studies. Findings: The study classifies the Islamic FinTech into three broad categories namely, Islamic FinTech opportunities and challenges, Cryptocurrency/Blockchain sharia compliance and law/regulation. The study identifies that the sharia compliance related to the cryptocurrency/Blockchain is the biggest challenge which Islamic FinTech organizations are facing. During our review we also find that Islamic FinTech organizations are to be considered as partners by the Islamic Financial Institutions (IFI’s) than the competitors. If Islamic Financial institutions want to increase efficiency, transparency and customer satisfaction they have to adopt FinTech and become partners with the FinTech companies. Practical Implications: The study will contribute positively to the understanding of Islamic Fintech for the academia, industry, regulators, investors and other FinTech users. Originality/Value: The study believes to contribute positively to understanding of Fintech based technology like cryptocurrency/Blockchain from sharia perspective.peer-reviewe

Collection of Cryptocurrency Customer-Information: Tax Enforcement Mechanism or Invasion of Privacy?

After granting permission to the Internal Revenue Service to serve a digital exchange company a summons for user information, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California created some uncertainty regarding the privacy of cryptocurrencies. The IRS views this information gathering as necessary for monitoring compliance with Notice 2014-21, which classifies cryptocurrencies as property for tax purposes. Cryptocurrency users, however, view the attempt for information as an infringement on their privacy rights and are seeking legal protection. This Issue Brief investigates the future tax implications of Notice 2014-21 and considers possible routes the cryptocurrency market can take to avoid the burden of capital gains taxes. Further, this Issue Brief attempts to uncover the validity of the privacy claims made against the customer information summons and will recommend alternative actions for the IRS to take regardless of whether it succeeds in obtaining the information

Collection of Cryptocurrency Customer-Information: Tax Enforcement Mechanism or Invasion of Privacy?

After granting permission to the Internal Revenue Service to serve a digital exchange company a summons for user information, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California created some uncertainty regarding the privacy of cryptocurrencies. The IRS views this information gathering as necessary for monitoring compliance with Notice 2014-21, which classifies cryptocurrencies as property for tax purposes. Cryptocurrency users, however, view the attempt for information as an infringement on their privacy rights and are seeking legal protection. This Issue Brief investigates the future tax implications of Notice 2014-21 and considers possible routes the cryptocurrency market can take to avoid the burden of capital gains taxes. Further, this Issue Brief attempts to uncover the validity of the privacy claims made against the customer information summons and will recommend alternative actions for the IRS to take regardless of whether it succeeds in obtaining the information

Blockchain Technology - China\u27s Bid to High Long-Run Growth

Despite having the second largest economy at $13 trillion, China has only recently surpassed the World Bank’s definition of the ‘middle-income range’ which is a gross national income per capita between$1,000 to $12,000 (constant 2011 international$). This is a noteworthy accomplishment since many other developing nations have fallen victim to economic stagnation within this range leading to the term “middle-income trap”. This paper will argue that one of the ways in which China escaped the middle-income trap and will continue to grow its economic influence is through the support of blockchain technology. Research and development, early technological adoption and business climate all play a role in explaining how the Chinese public and private sector have used blockchain technology to encourage economic growth. While there are many questions and misconceptions about blockchain technology and its place in China, this paper seeks only to answer a select few

Using Decentralized Networks and Distributed Ledger Technologies for Foreign Aid Distribution and Reporting

The U.S. federal government is responsible for the creation and disbursement of roughly $95 billion worth of international spending packages annually. Of this amount, nearly$45 billion is allocated for the advancement of economic and humanitarian aid initiatives. However, these programs often face challenges when attempting to distribute funds to individual recipients in regions lacking stable government or reliable financial infrastructure. In addition, existing inefficiencies within the allocation process for these awards may introduce various inequalities through bias or other procedural complexities. As a result, many aid initiatives are not administered in a cost-effective manner and the subsequent lack of transparent reporting makes it difficult for the public to audit these programs and assess outcomes. To address these challenges, a new mobile based (Android/iOS) application has been developed in which foreign aid awards are distributed through the transaction of digital currency and asset-backed stable-coins on the Stellar network. Following user registration and onboarding, the application confirms that users meet the required qualifications through the use of a novel crowdsourcing mechanism comprised of previous recipients. Network validators are incentivized through continued awards to verify new recipient eligibility and further expand the verification network. Once confirmed, the application allows users to transact their awards in USDC, network-native Stellar lumens (XLM) or transfer their tokens to other marketplaces and asset representations with minimal transaction cost. While other available software addresses each of these issues separately, this application combines the end-to-end transfer and housing of aid funds into a singular process for both administrators and recipients. Furthermore, the awarding of these funds is recorded on a public ledger that allows for detailed analysis of initiative outcomes in a verifiable and trust-less manner. Finally, a simulation script was constructed for the purposed of modeling network growth and efficiency in relation to incentivizing future participation in validating new applicants

$=€=Bitcoin?

Bitcoin (and other virtual currencies) have the potential to revolutionize the way that payments are processed, but only if they become ubiquitous. This Article argues that if virtual currencies are used at that scale, it would pose threats to the stability of the financial system—threats that have been largely unexplored to date. Such threats will arise because the ability of a virtual currency to function as money is very fragile—Bitcoin can remain money only for so long as people have confidence that bitcoins will be readily accepted by others as a means of payment. Unlike the U.S. dollar, which is backed by both a national government and a central bank, and the euro, which is at least backed by a central bank, there is no institution that can shore up confidence in Bitcoin (or any other virtual currency) in the event of a panic. This Article explores some regulatory measures that could help address the systemic risks posed by virtual currencies, but argues that the best way to contain those risks is for regulated institutions to out-compete virtual currencies by offering better payment services, thus consigning virtual currencies to a niche role in the economy. This Article therefore concludes by exploring how the distributed ledger technology pioneered by Bitcoin could be adapted to allow regulated entities to provide vastly more efficient payment services for sovereign currency-denominated transactions, while at the same time seeking to avoid concentrating the provision of those payment services within “too big to fail” banks

Revolutionizing Foreign Exchange Market: A Critical Analysis of Blockchain's Opportunities and Challenges

The fast use of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and electronic trading has had a profound influence on the world's foreign exchange market, creating both difficulties and potential for market regulation and exploitation. Blockchain has the capability to completely transform the foreign exchange business by bringing improved transparency, efficiency, and security. Blockchain allows for the construction of transparent, tamper-proof transaction records since it uses distributed ledger technology. Lately, Blockchain technology and Forex trading have experienced tremendous growth in popularity in recent years, but it's important to remember that they also include hazards that investors need to be aware of. The goal of this study is to determine how blockchain technology might be applied to boost the Forex market, highlighting the advantages of decentralization, efficiency, security, and transparency. This study aims to explore the potential contribution of blockchain technology to the foreign exchange market. The research employs a literature review and analysis approach to investigate the relationship between blockchain technology and the foreign exchange market. The findings of the study indicate that blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the foreign exchange market. The paper concludes that the use of distributed ledger technology enables the creation of transparent and tamper-proof transaction records, addressing existing challenges of transparency and security in the Forex market