Bitcoin: 'Few Redeeming Public Interest Attributes'

Key Takeaways

• The Bank for International Settlements has blasted Bitcoin in a new economic report.
• The report states that Bitcoin “has few redeeming public interest attributes.”
• Stablecoins also came under fire with questions surrounding their credibility.

A scathing report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) claims Bitcoin “has few redeeming Public Interest Attributes.”

The BIS as the Banks’ Bank

The Bank for International Settlements serves 60 central banks worldwide, dictating monetary policy and fostering cooperation.

The recent announcement follows a previous consultation paper released June 10, where the BIS argued the growth of cryptocurrencies could increase the risk of financial instability, stating,

“While banks’ exposures to cryptoassets are currently limited, the continued growth and innovation in cryptoassets and related services, coupled with the heightened interest of some banks, could increase global financial stability concerns.”

Due to be published on Jun. 29, the BIS report cites Bitcoin’s use in “money laundering, ransomware attacks, and other financial crimes.” Additionally, the report criticized Bitcoin’s “wasteful energy consumption” and affirmed the bank’s view that cryptocurrencies were speculative assets.

Stablecoins Under Attack

The latest report also warns of cryptocurrencies’ threat to financial stability, this time targeting stablecoins.

“Stablecoins attempt to import credibility by being backed by real currencies. As such, these are only as good as the governance behind the promise of the backing.”

The report is just the latest in a series of criticisms levelled against stablecoins. Tether faced scrutiny in the past over the proportion of circulating coins that were backed by cash. A report published by Tether in May revealed that 75.85% of its reserves were backed by cash or cash equivalents.

It remains to be seen what long-term effects the BIS’s stance will have. However, as the BIS holds significant influence over central banks across the globe, its conservative stance could threaten hopes for widespread adoption of Bitcoin.

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