Examining Regulatory Frameworks for Digital Currencies and Blockchain

Examining Regulatory Frameworks for Digital Currencies and Blockchain

Statement of
Rebecca M. Nelson
Specialist in International Trade and Finance
Before
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
U.S. Senate
Hearing on
“Examining Regulatory Frameworks for
Digital Currencies and Blockchain”
July 30, 2019
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
TE10034

Congressional Research Service
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Chairman Crapo, Ranking Member Brown, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today on behalf of the Congressional Research Service to discuss
“Examining Regulatory Frameworks for Digital Currencies and Blockchain.”
As requested, my testimony focuses on the international landscape of digital currencies and emerging
policy issues.1 In particular, I discuss the cryptocurrency market, the approaches adopted by governments
to regulate cryptocurrency, and the potential need for harmonization of regulations across countries. I also
analyze the potential implications of proposals made by some governments and large multinational
corporations (MNCs) to create new digital currencies to be used on a large scale.
Cryptocurrencies: Terminology and Market Developments
Cryptocurrencies are digital representations of value that typically are administered using distributed
ledger technology and have no status as legal tender. Distributed ledgers use independent computers to
record, share, and synchronize transactions in their respective electronic ledgers, rather than relying on a
centralized ledger.2 As a result, cryptocurrencies do not rely on government agencies (such as central
banks) or financial institutions (such as private banks), both of which are involved in the creation and
transfer of fiat money (money that has no intrinsic value, but serves as money by government decree).
Most cryptocurrencies usually use a particular type of distributed ledger technology, blockchain, to both
secure the ledger using cryptographic protocols and give users some level of anonymity.
The first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was launched in 2009, partly in response to concerns about traditional
banks and fiat money following the global financial crisis of 2008-2009.3 Over the following decade,
thousands more cryptocurrencies were created. As of today, more than 2,200 cryptocurrencies are in
circulation.4 As the market has developed, different types of cryptocurrencies have emerged that vary on a
number of dimensions.5
Types of Cryptocurrencies and Related Terminology
Payment tokens are the most well-known type of cryptocurrencies, and are designed to function as a
medium of exchange or payment for goods and services. Bitcoin is a payment token, as are Ethereum and
Litecoin among others.6 Utility tokens are digital assets designed to be spent within a certain blockchain
system. For example, the Golem platform is a marketplace for computing power; users can earn Golem
Network Tokens by renting out unused computational resources.7 Another example is Dentacoins: dental

1 This testimony draws on CRS Report R45440, International Approaches to Digital Currencies, by Rebecca M. Nelson.
Relevant CRS products also include CRS Report R45427, Cryptocurrency: The Economics of Money and Selected Policy Issues,
by David W. Perkins; CRS Report R45116, Blockchain: Background and Policy Issues, by Chris Jaikaran; CRS In Focus
IF10825, Digital Currencies: Sanctions Evasion Risks, by Rebecca M. Nelson and Liana W. Rosen; CRS Report R45301,
Securities Regulation and Initial Coin Offerings: A Legal Primer, by Jay B. Sykes; and CRS In Focus IF10810, Blockchain and
International Trade, by Rachel F. Fefer.
2 “Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT),” World Bank Brief, April 12, 2018.
3 “An Abridged History of Bitcoin,” New York Times, November 19, 2013.
4 “Cryptocurrency Market Capitalizations,” CoinMarketCap, with values as accessed on July 19, 2019. Market capitalization data
is not available for about 400 cryptocurrencies.
5 Rebecca Campbell, “The Ultimate Cryptocurrency Explainer: Bitcoin, Utility Tokens, and Stablecoins,” Next Web, February
13, 2019.
6 “Payment Tokens,” Medium, November 14, 2018.
7 Maaren Zuidhoorn, “The Technology Behind Ethereum Tokens,” Medium, May 9, 2019.
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patients can earn the coins by giving dentist reviews and other activities and use Dentacoins to pay for
dental services at participating dentists.8
More recently, a new type of cryptocurrency has been created to address the large value fluctuations of
the more prominent payment tokens.9 “Stablecoins” are cryptocurrencies pegged to or backed by fiat
currencies, other cryptocurrencies, or precious metals. As their name indicates, these cryptocurrencies are
designed to be more stable in value than the earlier payment tokens. Tether and Gemini Dollar, which
were designed to be backed by the dollar on a 1:1 ratio, are examples of stablecoins, as are Digix Gold
Tokens, which were designed to be backed by gold.10 Facebook’s proposed new cryptocurrency, the libra,
would also be a stablecoin; Facebook is planning to back the libra with a basket of “low-volatility” assets
(bank deposits and short-term government securities) from “stable and reputable central banks.”11
Cryptocurrencies are also occasionally referred to as crypto assets, to emphasize that these products are
in practice closer to financial assets or investments than a functional medium of exchange.12 The term
“crypto assets” is also used to refer more broadly to the expanding universe of financial products
underpinned by distributed ledger technology. In addition to digital money, entrepreneurs are increasingly
exploring the distributed ledger technology’s application to securities. Security tokens are a subset of
crypto assets and are used to represent legal ownership of a financial asset, such as equity or debt interests
in an enterprise managed principally by others and are often transacted using distributed ledger
technology.13 One example of a security token is tZero, a subsidiary of e-commerce retailer Overstock.
The tZero security token provides its holders with a preferred equity security in Overstock, and features a
dividend based on the firm’s revenue.14
Companies that facilitate the use of cryptocurrencies have also flourished over the past decade. For
example, exchanges are digital platforms that allow customers to trade cryptocurrencies for other
cryptocurrencies and/or fiat currencies. Top exchanges by trading volume are OKEx, Binance, and
HitBTC.15 Wallets are applications or interfaces that can be downloaded onto a device to facilitate
transacting in cryptocurrencies. Popular wallet apps include Exodus and Copay, among others.16
Market Trends
The cryptocurrency market is concentrated and volatile. In terms of market concentration, Bitcoin
remains the most well-known and widely used cryptocurrency, accounting for 65% of the market.17 The
five largest cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash) account for over

8 Izabella Kaminska, “From Max to Minimum Optimality with Dentacoin,” Financial Times, August 4, 2017.
9 Tatiana Koffman, “Stablecoins: The Next Generation of Digital Money,” Forbes, March 8, 2018.
10 Hannah Murphy, “Stablecoins are Crypto Sector’s Next Big Bet,” Financial Times, November 15, 2018; Frances Coppola,
“Tether’s U.S. Dollar Peg is No Longer Credible,” Forbes, May 14, 2019.
11 Even though libra is a “stablecoin,” its value would fluctuate against the dollar as currencies in the basket fluctuate. “The Libra
Currency and Reserve,” White paper, June 2018.
12 For example, see Hyun Song Shin, “Cryptocurrencies and the Economics of Money,” Bank for International Settlements, June
24, 2018.
13 Olga Kharif, “Security Tokens are the New Crypto – But You Probably Can’t Afford Them,” Washington Post, February 11,
2019.
14 Rebecca Campbell, “The Ultimate Cryptocurrency Explainer: Bitcoin, Utility Tokens, and Stablecoins,” Next Web, February
13, 2019.
15 “Top 100 Cryptocurrency Exchanges By Trade Volume,” CoinMarketCap, with values as accessed on July 23 2019.
16 Oliver Rist, “The Best Cryptocurrency Wallets from 2019,” PC Magazine, September 18, 2018.
17 Data on cryptocurrency market valuations in this written statement are from “Cryptocurrency Market Capitalizations,”
CoinMarketCap, with values as accessed on July 23, 2019.
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80% of the market (Figure 1). In terms of market fluctuations, the cryptocurrency market (driven largely
by Bitcoin) boomed in 2017, increasing from a market value of about $18 billion in January 2017 to over
$800 billion in January 2018. The market crashed in 2018, with cryptocurrencies losing about 85% of
their value by the end of the year. It has somewhat rebounded in 2019, to about $274 billion in July,
comparable in market value to large corporations such as Nestle, Samsung, or Proctor and Gamble.18
Compared to other global financial markets, however, the cryptocurrency market is small: global stock
markets are valued around $80 trillion and global bond markets are valued around $246 trillion globally.19
Figure 1. Cryptocurrency Market Trends

Source: CRS analysis of data from CoinMarketCap (www.coinmarketcap.com), Global Financial Data, Inc., and Institute of
International Finance, “Global Debt Monitor – July 2019.”
Potential Benefits and Risks
In general, observers debate whether cryptocurrencies will in time achieve their purported potential, or
whether they are another speculative bubble, similar to tulip bulbs in 17th century Holland.20 Proponents
argue that cryptocurrencies have the potential to revolutionize the financial and banking industries.
Cryptocurrencies could increase payment efficiency, reduce transaction costs of payments and fund
transfers, increase participation in the financial system, and facilitate transactions.
Others are more skeptical. Many cryptocurrencies are considered to be volatile, create a host of consumer
protection and illicit finance concerns, face an uneven global regulatory environment, and require sizeable
energy resources for the associated computations. Some skeptics allege that many cryptocurrencies are
effectively a Ponzi scheme and primarily finance illicit activities.21
Patchwork of National Regulations
Cryptocurrencies span national borders and are designed for international use, but they are regulated by
governments at the national level. Governments around the world are taking different approaches to

18 IMF, World Economic Outlook, April 2019; “The World’s Largest Public Companies,” Forbes, accessed July 25, 2019.
19 Global Financial Data, Inc. and Institute of International Finance, “Global Debt Monitor – July 2019.”
20 Nathaniel Popper, “After the Bust, Are Bitcoins More Like Tulip Mania or the Internet?”, New York Times, April 23, 2019.
21 For example, see Paul Krugman, “Bitcoin is Basically a Ponzi Scheme,” Seattle Times, January 30, 2018; Nouriel Roubini,
“The Great Crypto Heist,” Project Syndicate, July 16, 2019.
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cryptocurrencies, applying different nomenclatures and definitions, and tackling different legal and policy
questions. With more than 190 sovereign states in the world and arguably little harmonization of
cryptocurrency regulations across countries to date, a complex patchwork of government regulations is
emerging. Broadly speaking, government approaches fall across a spectrum from actively encouraging
cryptocurrencies to banning them outright.
Actively Fostering Cryptocurrencies
At one end of the spectrum, some governments are actively seeking to become cryptocurrency hubs by
attracting and developing cryptocurrency industries in their countries. These governments view
cryptocurrency as an important financial innovation that can create jobs and generate economic activity.
They have created regulatory frameworks tailored to, and designed to attract, a range of businesses and
activities in the cryptocurrency industry, including cryptocurrency exchanges and initial coin offerings
(ICOs).
For example, Switzerland is seeking to create a cryptocurrency industry, or “Crypto Valley,” a cluster of
companies associated with cryptocurrency akin to the cluster of technology companies in Silicon Valley.
“Crypto Valley” is located in the canton of Zug. The jurisdiction has tried to attract cryptocurrency
companies and exchanges through the early adoption of regulations designed to provide regulatory
certainty; these regulations are also generally viewed as favorable to attracting cryptocurrency activities.
Multinationals are attracted to Zug’s low tax rates. Companies that created and promote Ethereum, the
second largest cryptocurrency by value, are located in Zug, and as many as 200-300 cryptocurrency
entities have opened there in recent years.22 The non-profit that is to oversee Facebook’s proposed new
cryptocurrency, the libra, is registered in Geneva, where it received a “warm welcome” from officials.23
By contrast, officials in many other jurisdictions have raised a number of concerns regarding the libra. In
2018, the Swiss finance minister talked about expanding “Crypto Valley” to “Crypto Nation.”24
Similarly, Malta is promoting itself as “Blockchain Island.” Its development of “crypto-friendly”
frameworks and a blockchain strategy taskforce to advise the government, as well as a favorable tax rate
for international companies, has attracted cryptocurrency industries, including two prominent crypto
exchanges (Binance and OKEx).25 Singapore has also strived to become a cryptocurrency hub in Asia,
with analysts describing its regulators as well-informed and transparent about blockchain and
cryptocurrency, compared to regulatory uncertainties in other jurisdictions.26 Singapore has embraced
crypto-friendly regulations and is a major location for ICOs.27 Singapore has also explored ways to
integrate distributed ledger technology into its financial system.28
Banning or Restricting Cryptocurrencies
At the other end of the spectrum, governments have banned the use of cryptocurrencies or specific
activities associated with cryptocurrencies. These governments generally view the risks of

22 Anna Irrera and Brenna Hughes Neghaisi, “Switzerland Seeks to Regain Cryptocurrency Crown,” Reuters, July 19, 2018.
23 Hugo Miller and Leonard Kehnscherper, “Facebook’s Cryptocurrecy Gets a Warm Welcome in Geneva,” Bloomberg , June 25,
2019.
24 Matthew Allen, “Swiss Blockchain Industry Sees Meteoric Growth,” SWI, October 10, 2018.
25 For example, see Viren Vaghela and Andrea Tan, “How Malta Became a Hub of the Cryptocurrency World,” Bloomberg
Businessweek, April 23, 2018; “Regulation of Cryptocurrency Around the World,” Global Legal Research Center, Law Library
of Congress, June 2018
26 Joyce Yang, “Singapore is the Crypto Sandbox that Asia Needs,” TechCrunch, September 22, 2018.
27 “Singapore Continues to Be a Hotbed for Crypto Companies in 2019,” Asean Today, July 29, 2018.
28 Ibid.
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cryptocurrencies, such as undermining financial stability, lack of investor and consumer protections, and
the potential for illicit transactions, as more significant than the possible benefits.
For example, China has restricted its banks from using cryptocurrencies as currency, banned ICOs, and
restricted cryptocurrency exchanges.29 South Korea has also banned ICOs.30 Algeria, Bolivia, Morocco,
Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam ban all cryptocurrency activities; Qatar and Bahrain bar domestic
cryptocurrency activities; and Bangladesh, Colombia, Iran, Lithuania, Lesotho, and Thailand ban
financial institutions from facilitating transactions involving cryptocurrencies.31 Egypt has banned the use
of cryptocurrencies to conduct commerce, Taiwan has prohibited its banks from accepting or transacting
cryptocurrencies, Indonesia has prohibited the use of cryptocurrencies for payment, and Vietnam does
not allow cryptocurrencies to be used as a legal means of payment.32 In India, a government panel has
recommended banning cryptocurrencies.33
Balanced Regulation of Cryptocurrencies
In the middle of the spectrum, some governments are seeking to balance encouraging financial innovation
and managing the risks posed by cryptocurrencies, while providing greater clarity surrounding the
emergency of cryptocurrencies. These governments stop short of banning cryptocurrencies but are not
actively seeking to become cryptocurrency hubs. Most major advanced economies, including the
United States, Eurozone countries, and the United Kingdom, have adopted this type of approach.
Regulatory frameworks in many countries are still evolving, and countries are taking different
approaches. Countries often have differing working or legal definitions of cryptocurrencies and are
developing differing regulations across a range of issues. Some countries are applying or adapting
existing regulations to cryptocurrencies and others are developing new regulations specifically focused on
cryptocurrencies. One study finds that even within countries, consensus may be elusive, as different
agencies in the same government may adopt conflicting approaches to cryptocurrencies.34
Countries have focused, to varying degrees, on regulations pertaining to cryptocurrencies’ permitted
usage, tax treatment, application to securities regulations, anti-money laundering/countering the financing
of terrorism (AML/CFT) implications, registration and reporting requirements, cybersecurity
requirements, and regulations pertaining to financial institutions dealing with cryptocurrencies.
For example, regulators focus on cryptocurrency exchanges, because they provide a nexus between the
cryptocurrency market and the traditional financial sector. Exchanges present a number of issues for
regulators, particularly related to consumer protections and money laundering. According to one study,
nearly 95% of all reported trading in bitcoin is suspected to be artificially created by unregulated
exchanges.35 There are also concerns that exchanges are exploited for money laundering.36 Regulators
striving to protect consumers and address illicit financing consider what licensing, reporting,

29 Gerry Mullany, “China Restricts Banks’ Use of Bitcoin,” New York Times, December 5, 2013; Chao Deng, “China Bans
Fundraising Via Cryptocurrencies, Known as ICOs,” Wall Street Journal, September 4, 2017; Kenneth Rapoza, “Cryptocurrency
Exchanges Officially Dead in China,” Forbes, November 2, 2017.
30 Oscar Williams-Grut, “South Korea Banks ICOs,” Business Insider, September 29, 2017.
31 “Regulation of Cryptocurrency Around the World,” Global Legal Research Center, Law Library of Congress, June 2018.
32 Ibid.
33 Rahul Shrivastava, “Govt Committee Recommends Ban on Cryptocurrency in India,” India Today, July 23, 2019.
34 Claire Groden, Edorado Saravalle, and Julia Solomon-Strauss, “Uncharted Waters: A Primer on Virtual Currency Regulation
Around the World,” Center for a New American Security and The Center on Law and Security at the NYU School of Law,
September 2018.
35 Paul Vigna, “Most Bitcoin Trading Faked by Unregulated Exchanges, Study Finds,” Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2019.
36 Nouriel Roubini, “The Great Crypto Heist,” Project Syndicate, July 16, 2019.
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cybersecurity, systems integrity, and AML/CFT regulations to apply to exchanges, among other
requirements.37 Part of their calculation may center on whether to apply existing regulations, such as those
pertaining to banks, securities exchanges, or other components of the payments or financial system, or
whether to develop a new regulatory structure altogether. The different types of cryptocurrencies (for
example, payment tokens vs. stablecoins) and the opaque nature of the exchanges may complicate
regulators’ calculations.38 Different countries have taken various approaches in their licensing,
transparency, and AML/CFT requirements.
Cryptocurrency Exchange Regulations: Selected Examples39
 Australia: The government requires exchanges to register with the nation’s anti-money laundering (AML) agency
and implement anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs.
 Estonia: The Supreme Court upheld the Estonian government’s application of AML laws to cryptocurrency
exchanges. These laws require exchanges that conduct trades over €1,000 (about $1,200) to meet their
customers in person and keep identification records.
 Japan: Exchanges must be registered with the Financial Services Agency, obey minimum capital and cybersecurity
requirements, and undergo audits, among other stipulations.
 Jersey (the Channel Islands): Exchanges above £150,000 (about $195,000) are required to register with the
Jersey Financial Services Commission and comply with AML and CFT regulations.
 European Union (EU): The European Parliament adopted a directive that extends AML/CFT regulations to
currency exchanges.
 Luxembourg: The government requires all exchanges be licensed by the Finance Ministry.
 Philippines: Exchanges are required to apply for a certificate of registration, register with AML authorities, and
are subject to fees.
 United States: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires registration of any trading platform that
meet its definition of a national securities exchange. The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network (FinCEN) requires cryptocurrency exchanges to register as money services businesses (MSBs) and
implement relevant AML recordkeeping, reporting, and compliance measures. Cryptocurrency exchanges are also
subject to state regulations.
 UK: Government applies its AML regulations to cryptocurrency exchanges.
Governments also vary in their regulatory treatment of ICOs. ICOs are a process by which new
cryptocurrency coins or tokens are issued, and a way to raise capital. In 2018, 2,284 ICOs were
concluded, raising almost $11.4 billion.40 Consumer protections are a key concern of ICO regulations:
according to one study, nearly 80% of ICOs in 2017 were identified as scams, and only about 8% reached
the trading stage on cryptocurrency exchanges41 Regulators have focused on when ICOs should be
regulated as securities. The issuance of securities is highly regulated in many countries. For example,
countries may require registration with a regulating agency and the disclosure of information about the
seller and the security. Some countries have developed guidance on the application of securities

37 Daniel A. Leslie, “Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Custody Providers: International Regulatory Development,” Norton Rose
Fulbright, October 2018.
38 Leslie Ankney, “Who Should You Trust? Understanding Crypto Exchanges and Regulation,” Forbes, January 30, 2019.
39 Claire Groden, Edorado Saravalle, and Julia Solomon-Strauss, “Uncharted Waters: A Primer on Virtual Currency Regulation
Around the World,” Center for a New American Security and The Center on Law and Security at the NYU School of Law,
September 2018.
40 Daniele Pozzi, “ICO Market 2018 vs 207: Trends, Capitalization, Localization, Industries, Success Rate,” Coin Telegraph,
January 5, 2019.
41 “Sherwin Dowlat, “Cryptoasset Market Coverage Initiation: Network Creation,” Stais Group, July 11, 2018.
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regulations to ICOs based on different types of tokens; others are applying existing securities regulations
to ICOs on a case-by-case basis.
Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) Regulations: Selected Examples42
 Canada: Canadian Securities Administrators released a notice clarifying that many cryptocurrency offerings
involve the sales of securities, although it has approved exemptions for some ICOs from securities requirements.
 France: The government is considering an ICO licensing regime that would regulate ICO token sales.
 Hong Kong: The Securities and Futures Commission released a statement that virtual tokens may be subject to
securities laws, depending on the facts and circumstances of an ICO.
 Switzerland: The Swiss financial supervisory authority has published guidance on the application of securities
regulations by token type, although wil review ICOs on a case-by-case basis.
 United Arab Emirates: ICOs are regulated as securities offerings on a case-by-case basis.
 United States: The SEC may regulate virtual coins or tokens offered as part of an ICO as securities, depending
on the specifics of the ICO. ICOs in the United States are also subject to state-level regulations.
National regulators have also considered the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies, and again have arrived at
different approaches. For tax purposes, a cryptocurrency could be considered a form of cash, foreign
currency, investment, income, commodity, or service. Classification has implications for the tax treatment
of transactions and holdings of cryptocurrencies. For example, classification may determine whether
cryptocurrency proceeds are subject to income tax, capital gains tax, sales tax, and so forth. Some
jurisdictions also differentiate between individual use of cryptocurrency on a small scale and larger-scale
cryptocurrency investments and transactions. Likewise, some jurisdictions differentiate between
cryptocurrency transactions by corporations and individuals. Another complicating factor is the growing
types of cryptocurrencies. As cryptocurrencies proliferate and start to serve different functions,
policymakers are faced with whether they should all be taxed the same way.
Tax Treatment of Cryptocurrencies: Selected Examples43
 Many EU countries exempt cryptocurrency transactions from value-added tax (VAT).
 Canada: Cryptocurrencies are considered commodities and profits from transactions in cryptocurrencies are
taxed as a barter transaction, which is subject to income tax.
 France: The government updated its tax rules to make cryptocurrencies subject to capital gains tax.
 Germany: The government does not tax cryptocurrencies when they are used for payments.
 Israel: The government clarified that virtual currency sales would be subject to a capital gains tax and miners and
other traders would be subject to a VAT.
 Poland: Taxpayers have been advised to file taxes on cryptocurrency trading and profits.
 Singapore: Companies that buy and sell cryptocurrencies must pay taxes based on gains from their sale, but
gains from long-term investments are considered capital and therefore not taxed (since Singapore does not have a
capital gains tax).
 Sweden: Cryptocurrencies are not subject to the VAT but may be taxed as capital gains. The application of
income vs. economic activity tax depends on the transactions per year.
 United States: The Internal Revenue Service found that cryptocurrencies are considered property, not
currency, for tax purposes.

42 Claire Groden, Edorado Saravalle, and Julia Solomon-Strauss, “Uncharted Waters: A Primer on Virtual Currency Regulation
Around the World,” Center for a New American Security and The Center on Law and Security at the NYU School of Law,
September 2018.
43 Ibid.
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Despite the differences in regulatory approaches, one global survey of cryptocurrency regulations finds
that issuing warnings about the pitfalls of investing in cryptocurrencies is exceedingly common.44 Such
warnings are usually issued by central banks, and are largely designed to educate citizens about the
difference between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. The warnings caution that citizens who invest in
cryptocurrencies do so at their own personal risk and that consumers have no legal recourse available in
the event of loss.
The Need for International Regulatory Harmonization?
The patchwork of national-level cryptocurrency regulations around the world raises the question of
whether international regulatory harmonization is needed. In general, major financial regulatory
differences among countries can create instability. Regulatory differences can lead to an accumulation of
under-regulated activities, financial institutions may engage in regulatory arbitrage, countries may engage
in a regulatory race-to-the-bottom, and lax regulation in one country can cause contagious crises around
the world.45 Countries have worked together in the past to harmonize various financial regulations,
including capital standards (the Basel Accords) and shadow-banking activities (G-20 regulatory reforms
following the global financial crisis in 2008-2009).
Several policymakers have argued for greater harmonization of cryptocurrency regulations across
countries. The G-7 finance ministers and central bank governors agreed in 2018 that international
coordination on cryptocurrencies is needed to ensure that regulations are effective in a globally
interconnected financial system.46 The G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors pledged to
work with international bodies to monitor the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and to assess
multilateral responses as needed.47 Then-Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Christine Lagarde argued that international regulation and supervision of cryptocurrencies is “inevitable.”
Additionally, the editorial board of the Financial Times argues that a coordinated international regulatory
framework for the “wild west” of cryptocurrencies is long overdue.48
Some initial international efforts at harmonization of cryptocurrency regulations are proceeding (see
textbox below), although more systematic coordination remains elusive. A more aggressive adoption of a
one-size-fits all international regulatory structure for cryptocurrencies could have costs, however. It could
create distortions, have unintended consequences, and impede innovation, a particular concern in the fast-
changing cryptocurrency market. Additionally, the macroeconomic risks associated with cryptocurrencies
have been relatively limited to date; in 2018, the Financial Stability Board (FSB), which promotes
international financial stability by coordinating national financial authorities and international standard-
setting bodies found that cryptocurrency markets do not currently pose a material risk to global financial
stability.49

44 “Regulation of Cryptocurrency Around the World,” Global Legal Research Center, Law Library of Congress, June 2018.
45 Jeffry Frieden, “The Governance of International Finance,” Annual Review of Political Science, vol. 19, no. 33-48 (December
2015).
46 “Chair’s Summary: G-7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting,” Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, June
2, 2018.
47 G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Communiqué, Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 23, 2018.
48 Zahraa Alkhalisi, “IMF Chief: Cryptocurrency Regulation is ‘Inevitable’,” CNN, February 11, 2018; Editorial Board,
“Cryptocurrency Wild West is Crying out for a Principled Sheriff,” Financial Times, September 25, 2018.
49 “FSB Sets Out Potential Financial Stability Implications from Crypto-Assets,” Financial Stability Board, October 10, 2018.
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International Efforts for Cryptocurrency Regulation Coordination
Perhaps most prominently, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which promotes effective implementation of legal,
regulatory, and operational measures for combatting money laundering and terrorist financing, has adapted its
recommendations to clarify their application to cryptocurrencies, including recommending tighter oversight of
cryptocurrency exchanges to prevent money laundering.50
Additionally, two international standard setting bodies have engaged on questions pertaining to cryptocurrency regulation.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, a committee of banking supervisory authorities, published guidance on
cryptocurrencies for banks focusing on due diligence, governance and risk management, disclosure, and supervisory
dialogue.51 The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), an international association of
securities regulators, has developed a consultation network where members can discuss ICO issues and is requesting
comments on issues pertaining to cryptocurrency exchanges.52
Could Digital Currencies Go Mainstream?
To date, cryptocurrencies have been a relatively small, niche market, dominated by specialized entities
and firms and used among a small set consumers.53 The proliferation of cryptocurrencies has generated
interest among some governments and large multinational corporations (MNCs). If governments and
MNCs move into the digital currency market, the usage of digital currencies could dramatically increase,
which would have policy implications for the United States.
Digital Fiat Currencies
Interest is growing among some governments in creating digital versions of their fiat currencies. Digital
fiat currencies would be exchanged electronically but, unlike cryptocurrencies, would serve as legal
tender. There are a wide range of proposals and forms that digital fiat currencies could take. To date,
countries are primarily exploring digital fiat currencies as a way to raise money, avoid sanctions, or
ensure a safe and efficient payment system.
Sovereign Cryptocurrencies
Some governments have launched or are considering a blockchain-based legal currency to run in parallel
with their traditional fiat currency. The most prominent example to date is Venezuela. In December 2017,
President Maduro of Venezuela announced plans to launch a new digital fiat currency, the “petro,” which
would use blockchain technology and be backed by oil reserves and oil commodities.54 Maduro hoped
that creating and selling a new digital currency could provide the cash-strapped government with a fresh
infusion of funds. Maduro also stressed that the petro would help Venezuela “advance in issues of
monetary sovereignty, to make financial transactions and overcome the financial blockade,” an apparent

50 “FATF Reporting to the G20 Leaders’ Summit,” Financial Action Task Force, June 2019; John O’Donnell and Tom
Wilson,“Global Money-Laundering Watchdog Launches Crackdown on Cryptocurrencies,” Reuters, June 21, 2019
51 “Statement on Crypto-Assets,” Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, March 13, 2019.
52 “IOSCO Board Communication on Concerns Related to Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs),” International Organization of
Securities Commissions (IOSCO), January 18, 2018; “Issues, Risks, and Regulatory Considerations Relating to Crypto-Asset
Trading Platforms,” International Organization of Securities Commissions, May 2019.
53 A poll conducted in 2018 found that 92% of Americans do not own any cryptocurrencies, primarily citing lack of interest or
practical need. Peter Terlato, “Here’s Why Americans Aren’t Buying Cryptocurrencies,” Finder.com, March 20, 2018.
54 Alexandra Ulmer and Deisy Buirago, “Enter to ‘Petro’: Venezuela to Launch Oil-Backed Cryptocurrency,” Reuters, December
3, 2017.
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reference to U.S. sanctions that restrict Venezuela’s access to U.S. financial markets. There were, and
continue to be, a number of questions about the currency, including how the oil guarantee works.
The Venezuelan government launched the petro in February 2018 through a private presale that went
through mid-March. The government claims it raised $3.3 billion,55 but the amount raised has not been
confirmed by an independent audit.56 Amidst historically high inflation of its fiat currency, the bolívar, the
Venezuelan government in August 2018 devalued the bolívar by about 95%, renamed it the “sovereign
bolívar,” and pegged it to the petro.57 Nevertheless, the petro is not being circulated within Venezuela or
sold on any major cryptocurrency exchange, and some analysts have called the petro a scam.58 Iran and
Russia have also considered issuing their own cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions, although the details
and status of such plans are unclear.59
The Marshall Islands is also pursuing the launch of a cryptocurrency, the “Sovereign” (SOV). The SOV
would become the Marshall Islands’ second legal currency and run parallel to the U.S. dollar. By
international agreement with the United States (the Compact of Free Association), the U.S. dollar is legal
tender in the Marshall Islands.60 The primary motivation for the cryptocurrency is to raise revenue for the
government; the Marshall Islands is a small country at risk for natural disasters and reliant on the United
States for foreign aid. In February 2018, the Marshall Island’s parliament passed legislation to lay the
groundwork for the digital decentralized currency. In June 2019, the government established a non-profit
organization to develop, implement, and maintain the infrastructure for the SOV.61
The IMF has raised a number of concerns about the SOV, such as:
 the likelihood that the SOV could to become an effective means of exchange;
 the SOV poses serious AML/CFT risks; fluctuations in the SOV’s value could create
financial risks for the government;
 the SOV requires heavy reliance on a third-party to develop and manage the currency;
 the SOV could be a target for cyberattacks;
 and the legal implications of the SOV are complicated by the international agreement
with the United States establishing the U.S. dollar as legal tender in the Marshall
Islands.62
Central Bank Digital Currencies
Some governments are also exploring streamlining the electronic payment system for fiat currencies, to
provide a more robust and legal alternative to cryptocurrencies. In particular, some governments are

55 Eric Lam, “Here’s What Maduro Has Said of Venezuela’s Petro Cryptocurrency,” Bloomberg, August 20, 2018.
56 Aaron Mak, “What Does it Mean for Venezuela to Peg Its New Currency to a Cryptocurrency?,” Slate, August 22, 2018.
57 Sam Jacobs, “Venezuela Just Devalued the Bolivar by 95% and Pegged it to a Cryptocurrency,” Business Insider, August 20,
2018.
58 Brian Ellsworth, “Special Report: In Venezuela, New Cryptocurrency is Nowhere to Be Found,” Reuters, August 30, 2018;
Katia Moskvitch, “Inside the Bluster and Lies of Petro, Venezuela’s Cryptocurrency Scam,” Wired, August 22, 2018.
59 Yaya Fanusie, “Blockchain Authoritarianism: The Regime in Iran Goes Crypto,” Forbes, August 15, 2018; Max Seddon and
Martin Arnold, “Putin Considers ‘Cryptorouble’ as Moscow Seeks to Evade Sanctions,” Financial Times, January 1, 2018. For
more on the use of digital currencies to evade sanctions, see CRS In Focus IF10825, Digital Currencies: Sanctions Evasion
Risks, by Rebecca M. Nelson and Liana W. Rosen.
60 “Republic of the Marshall Islands: Selected Issues,” International Monetary Fund, August 10, 2018.
61 “Marshall Islands Sets Up Non-Profit to Oversee National Digital Currency,” Coindesk, June 6, 2019.
62 “Republic of the Marshall Islands: Selected Issues,” International Monetary Fund, August 10, 2018.
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considering whether and, if so how, central banks could make digital fiat currencies directly available to
the public, obviating the need for the intermediaries to complete transactions (as is the case currently).63
Transactions involving such “central bank digital currencies” could be recorded using distributed
ledger technology, but alternative ledgers (including centralized ledgers) would also be possible.
For example, Sweden’s central bank, the Riksbank, is considering the adoption of an “e-krona.”64 The
e-krona is motivated by the decline in the use of cash in Sweden and the increasing reliance on private
payment processors. The Riksbank has argued that the e-krona is necessary to maintain sovereign control
over the payment system, and to ensure stability and trust in Sweden’s monetary system, particularly
during crises. The e-krona would be issued by the Riksbank and represent a claim on the Swedish state.
The e-krona would be denominated in Swedish krona (it would not have a different value system from its
traditional fiat currency, the krona) and the Riksbank would have responsibility for the e-krona’s
underlying infrastructure. The Riksbank is currently considering a pilot e-krona project to assess its
viability. Other central banks including Canada, China, and Uruguay are also considering similar
initiatives, and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), the monetary authority for eight island
economies, launched a pilot in July 2019.65
In contrast, many central banks in advanced economies, including the U.S. Federal Reserve,66 the
European Central Bank (ECB),67 the Bank of England,68 the Reserve Bank of Australia,69 the Bank
of Israel,70 and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand,71 have argued against the benefits of digital fiat
currencies or announced that they do not intend to adopt a digital fiat currency at this time. To varying
degrees, they have questioned the need for digital fiat currencies and cautioned that digital fiat currencies
could be prone to hacking and undermine financial stability.
Implications for the United States
If other governments create and adopt digital fiat currencies, the policy implications for the United States
would largely depend on which countries are involved and how their digital fiat currencies are structured.
For example, one of the more nefarious motivations for a digital fiat currency—sanctions evasion—would
raise issues pertaining to the enforcement of U.S. sanctions. The adoption of digital fiat currencies by
many other major economies could raise concerns about maintaining the role of the U.S. dollar as a
reserve currency in the global economy, although the central banks of major advanced economies have

63 Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli, Maria Soledad Martinez Peria, Itai Agur, et. al, “Casting Light on Central Bank Digital Currency,”
IMF Staff Discussion Note, November 2018; “Central Bank Digital Currencies,” Bank for International Settlements, March
2018; Claire Jones, “Central Bank Plans to Create Digital Currencies Receive Backing,” Financial Times, June 30, 2019.
64 Gabriel Söderberg, “Are Bitcoin and Other Crypto-Assets Money?” Economic Commentaries No. 5, Riksbank, March 14,
2018; and “The E-Krona Project, Report 2,” Riksbank, October 26, 2018.
65 Christine Lagarde, “Winds of Change: The Case for New Digital Currency,” Speech at Singapore Fintech Festival, November
14, 2018; “ECCB Launches a Digital Currency Pilot,” Dominican News Online, July 22, 2019.
66 Remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at U.S. Congress, House Financial Services Committee, Monetary Policy
and the Economy, 115th Cong., 2nd sess., July 18, 2018.
67 Francesco Canepa, “ECB Has No Plan to Issue Digital Currency: Draghi,” Reuters, September 14, 2018.
68 “Digital Currencies,” Bank of England, August 22, 2018.
69 Tony Richards (Head of Payments Policy Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia), “Cryptocurrencies and Distributed
Ledger Technology,” Speech at Austrian Business Economists Briefing, Sydney, June 26, 2018,
https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2018/sp-so-2018-06-26.html.
70 “The Bank of Israel Published a Summary of the Work of the Team to Examine Central Bank Digital Currency,” June 11,
2018, https://www.boi.org.il/en/NewsAndPublications/PressReleases/Pages/6-11-18.aspx.
71 Geoff Bascand (Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand), “In Search of Gold: Exploring Central Bank Digital
Currency,” Speech, June 26, 2018, Auckland, https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/research-and-publications/speeches/2018/speech2018-
06-25.
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largely indicated their intent to refrain from doing so at this time. New digital fiat currencies could also
raise concerns about the potential for new vulnerabilities in the international economy and the protection
of U.S. consumers purchasing, holding, and transacting in these currencies.
Cryptocurrencies Associated with Large Multinational Corporations
Some large financial and non-financial MNCs are also creating or planning to create their own
cryptocurrencies. In February 2019, JP Morgan, which has a presence in over 100 markets worldwide,
became the first U.S. bank to create and successfully test a digital coin representing a fiat currency: the
JPM Coin.72 Goldman Sachs, a major U.S. multinational investment bank and financial services company,
is conducting extensive research on “tokenization,” the process for transforming currencies or assets into
tradeable digital contracts transacted through distributed ledger technology.73
In June 2019, Facebook, with approximately 2.4 billion active users, announced its plans for the libra, a
new cryptocurrency to be backed by assets and supported by more than two dozen companies including
Uber, Spotify, Mastercard, and Visa, among others. Libra would be classified as a stablecoin, because its
value would be backed by a reserve of assets with a stable value. In contrast, the value of Bitcoin, for
example, fluctuates depending on users’ beliefs about its worth. Relative to the U.S. dollar however, the
value of the libra would fluctuate, because the reserve assets would be denominated in a basket of
currencies. The Libra Association, the non-profit established by Facebook in Switzerland to oversee the
currency, is targeting a launch date for the libra in the first half of 2020.
Following Facebook’s announcement, China’s central bank is reportedly reconsidering an officially
sanctioned cryptocurrency after previously banning them; there is speculation they could develop a
cryptocurrency associated with WeChat.74 WeChat is a popular messaging app in China with 1.1 billion
active users and has an affiliated payment system (WeChat Pay) that transacts money in Chinese yuan and
through Chinese banks.
By tapping their large customer bases and networks, these or other major institutions aspire to take
cryptocurrencies mainstream. Upscaling the size of the cryptocurrency market could magnify
cryptocurrency’s benefits, including cheaper and easier transactions and broader financial inclusion. Their
proposals also magnify existing concerns about cryptocurrency, including consumer protections and
money laundering, as well as introduce new concerns about sovereign control of money, global stability,
and privacy.
Debating the Merits of the Proposed Libra Cryptocurerncy
Facebook has garnered far more interest and backlash against its cryptocurrency plans than other
traditional financial MNCs, due to questions about Facebook’s alleged lack of expertise in the banking
sector, the size of its network, and concerns about its handling of user data.75 In July 2019, the G-7
finance ministers and central bank governors agreed that the libra raises “serious regulatory and systemic
concerns, as well as wider policy issues, which both need to be addressed before such projects can be
implemented.”76

72 “J.P. Morgan Creates Digital Coin for Payments,” J.P. Morgan, February 14, 2019.
73 Alastair Marsh, “Goldman Sachs Explores Creating a Digital Coin Like JPMorgan’s,” Bloomberg, June 28, 2019.
74 Kenneth Rapoza, “Beijing Begins Imaging a WeChat Cryptocurrency,” Forbes, July 8, 2019.
75 Matt Levine, “Facebook’s Crypto Annoys Everyone,” Bloomberg, July 17, 2019.
76 “Chair’s Summary: G-7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting,” Chantily, France, July 18, 2019.
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If the project moves forward, the libra may have the most appeal for consumers in developing countries
who do not have access to traditional banking systems (the “unbanked”). The World Bank estimates that
1.7 billion adults are unbanked, yet two-thirds of them own a mobile phone that could help them access
financial services.77 The libra would provide these consumers with the ability to store and transact money
digitally from mobile phones. The libra could also potentially benefit the senders and receivers of
remittances by dramatically reducing fees, potentially to zero. Even among these potential users, however,
there are questions about whether the libra could effectively replace cash in developing countries,
currently the dominant method of payment.78
The libra may have less appeal to consumers in developed countries with access to traditional banking
systems. Unlike fiat money held in a traditional bank account, libra holdings would not earn interest or be
backed by deposit insurance. Libra users would assume foreign exchange risk by holding libra and
maintaining payment obligations, such as taxes, denominated in the traditional fiat currency. Users would
also need to accept the risk that the value of their libra holdings could change relative to the domestic fiat
currency if the Libra Association changed the currency composition of the reserve basket.
The libra’s reserve assets are critical to its operation, but raise a host of policy questions. Examples
include the following.
 If the libra scales to the size envisioned, it is unclear how this will affect markets of
“safe” assets, as the libra reserve becomes a huge buyer and holder of them.
 It is also unclear what the implications of concentrating safe assets into one private
institution would be; some policymakers are already concerned about the large size of
some technology and financial firms.
 There are also concerns about what would happen if the assets in the libra’s reserve
deteriorate; what is a safe asset one day may not be safe the next. For example, if one of
the currencies in the libra’s basket collapses, it could trigger a run on the libra,
necessitating a broad selloff of the libra’s reserve assets.79 Depending on the size, such a
selloff could trigger a significant financial crisis.
Strong regulations could address some concerns about the libra’s reserve assets, but there are questions
about who and how the libra would be regulated.80 The regulatory framework is complicated by the
number of jurisdictions in which Facebook is proposing to operate, and the different aspects of the libra
project that could require regulation: the libra itself, the Libra Association, and Facebook’s proposed libra
wallet app, Calibra. In response to backlash from some regulators, the Libra Association appears to be
shifting its approach. The libra’s white paper asserts that it would operate as an open and largely
decentralized network after five years. Subsequently in public statements, the Libra Association appears
to be stressing that it would shoulder significant responsibility for ensuring compliance with various
regulations.81
The libra also upends the debate about privacy and cryptocurrency. Previously, concerns about privacy in
cryptocurrency markets focused on whether users had too much privacy: that by partially shielding user
identities, cryptocurrencies allowed bad actors to engage in nefarious and illegal activities. The libra

77 “Financial Inclusion on the Rise, But Gaps Remain, Global Findex Database Shows,” World Bank Press Release, April 19,
2018.
78 Annie Lowrey, “What Facebook Can Do for the Global Poor,” The Atlantic, June 27, 2019.
79 David Z. Morris, “Facebook’s Libra Currency Could Threaten the Global Financial System. Here’s How,” Fortune, July 18,
2019.
80 Gregory Barber, “Everyone Wants Facebook’s Libra to Be Regulated. But How?,” Wired, July 18, 2019.
81 Timothy B. Lee, “Facebook is Backpedaling From Its Ambitious Vision for Libra,” Ars Technica, July 18, 2019.
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inverts the policy discussion to focus on protecting user data. In particular, concerns focus on how users’
data on financial transactions would be protected, and not merged with user data from other Facebook
platforms. Although the head of Calibra has pledged that ensuring privacy is a top priority, many analysts
are more skeptical given previous scandals involving Facebook’s use of user data and the dependence of
Facebook’s business model on collecting and monetizing user data.82
Conclusion
Cryptocurrencies are a relatively new market that is still rapidly evolving. Bitcoin was introduced in
2009, and initially existed in obscurity. Now thousands of different cryptocurrencies are in circulation
with a value of about $270 billion. Governments have responded differently to the rise of
cryptocurrencies, and a patchwork of national regulations has been developed. Given the mismatch
between the international nature of cryptocurrencies, and their regulation at the national level, there is
increasing discussion about whether cryptocurrency regulations need to be harmonized across countries.
Today’s cryptocurrency market is much smaller than other global financial markets. However, digital
currencies may have the potential to be adopted more widely, as central banks and large MNCs look to
create their own digital currencies. Large-scale adoption of digital currencies could have a range of policy
implications for the United States, including financial stability, consumer protections, AML/CFT, privacy
considerations, and sanctions policy, among others.

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

82 Testimony by David A. Marcus, Head of Calibra, Facebook, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs, Examining Facebook's Proposed Digital Currency and Data Privacy Considerations, 116th Cong., 1st sess., July
16, 2019;.Frances Coppola, “The Real Threat From Facebook’s Libra Coin,” Forbes, June 30, 2019.
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