FINANCIAL regulators are being urged to create their own digital currency to give individuals easier access to central bank money.
The government launched a review of the UK’s fintech sector last year, led by former WorldPay boss Ron Kalifa.
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He was tasked with coming up with ways to boost the UK’s fintech presence.
The Kalifa Review of UK Fintech, released today, makes a number of recommendations such as launching tech visas to attract skilled staff and making it easier for fintech firms to list on the stockmarket.
UK financial regulators such as the Bank of England, the Treasury and the FCA should also get more more involved in digital currencies and cryptoassets, the review said.
This could mean regulating all platforms that let users buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, giving investors extra protection against scams.
5 risks of crypto investments
THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned people about the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies.
- Consumer protection: Some investments advertising high returns based on cryptoassets may not be subject to regulation beyond anti-money laundering requirements.
- Price volatility: Significant price volatility in cryptoassets, combined with the inherent difficulties of valuing cryptoassets reliably, places consumers at a high risk of losses.
- Product complexity: The complexity of some products and services relating to cryptoassets can make it hard for consumers to understand the risks. There is no guarantee that cryptoassets can be converted back into cash. Converting a cryptoasset back to cash depends on demand and supply existing in the market.
- Charges and fees: Consumers should consider the impact of fees and charges on their investment which may be more than those for regulated investment products.
- Marketing materials: Firms may overstate the returns of products or understate the risks involved.
The report also suggested the Bank of England could create its own digital currency.
Mr Kalifa’s report said a central bank digital currency (CBDC) “would
be a significant development which could help support the
adoption of new technologies such as blockchain in financial services.”
It suggested a CBDC would give individuals access to central bank money in digital form.
The report said: “The UK would be able to take advantage of its mature payment network, and to build a more efficient and innovative structure on top of it.”
Mr Khalifa’s review also said the UK has the potential to be a leading global centre for issuing and trading crypto and digital assets, which he said should be regulated.
The review said: “Based on the evidence of our contributors, many crypto providers would positively welcome the opportunity to be regulated.
“Consumers are also likely to benefit if crypto firms become subject
to enforceable regulatory standards.”
It comes as values of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have hit record highs in recent weeks.
Tesla founder Elon Musk helped push the value of a single Bitcoin to beyond $48,000 (£34,680) earlier this month after revealing that the car maker has invested $1.5 billion in the virtual coin.
The price of a single Bitcoin hit a record $58,354 on Sunday but it has been dropping in recent days.
What do regulators think about cryptoassets?
Cryptoassets is a broad term that includes investing in speculative cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as well as digital currencies or stablecoins that companies such as Mastercard have said could be used to speed up payments.
City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority has warned investors should be prepared to lose all their money when investing in cryptocurrencies.
Regulators are more amenable to stablecoins, which are linked to the value of an asset such as gold or a currency.
The Bank of England has previously published a discussion paper on the benefits of a central bank digital currency.
It said it could be used by households and businesses to make payments but no decisions have been made.
The Treasury launched a call for evidence last month on how it could regulate cryptoassets such as stablecoins.
John Glen, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: “Stablecoins could pave
the way for faster, cheaper payments, making it easier for people to pay for things or store their money.”
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