Cryptos and CBDC

Why in news?

The central bank must note that a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) can only be a fiat currency and not a crypto.

What are crypto assets?

• A crypto asset is a digital asset; but not all digital assets are crypto assets.
• The distinguish features of crypto assets:
  • uses cryptography
  • depends on distributed ledger technology
  • no need for a third party such as a bank to issue crypto assets
  • have three primary uses: as an investment, a medium of exchange, and to access goods and services.
• Crypto assets are commonly known as cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin, Ripple, Bitcoin, and Ethereum.

What is CBDC?

• A CBDC is a legal tender issued by a bank in a digital format.
•  Also known as digital base money or digital fiat currencies, a CBDC is no different from hard cash, apart from the fact that they are in a digital or virtual form.
• It is not meant to replace hard cash but coexist as an additional form of payment method.

What were the different stands taken on cryptos?

• Finance minister- In the Budget session, it was said that Cryptocurrency will be discouraged via taxation and capital gains provisions.
• RBI Governor- The Governor of the RBI highlighted that private cryptocurrencies are a big threat to our financial and macroeconomic stability.
• Also he said that these cryptocurrencies have no underlying asset.
• Deputy Governor of RBI- A Deputy Governor of the RBI called cryptos worse than a Ponzi scheme and argued against legitimizing them.
• Supreme Court- The Supreme Court of India has asked the Government whether or not cryptos are legal.

How do cryptos become acceptable as tokens for exchange?

• A currency is a token used in market transactions.
• Historically, commodities (copper coins) have been used as tokens since they themselves are valuable.
• But paper currency is useless till the government declares it to be a fiat currency as it derives its value from state backing.
• Cryptos are a string of numbers in a computer programme and there is no state backing.
• Cryptos acquire value and can be transacted via the net which enables them to function as money.

Is it possible to ban cryptos?

• The total valuation of cryptos recently was upward of 2 trillion dollars which is more than the value of gold held globally.
• Cryptos which operate via the net can be banned only if all nations come together.
• Even then, tax havens may allow cryptos to function, defying the global agreement.

What is the difference between CBDC and cryptocurrencies?

What are the concerns of CBDC?

• Blockchain enables decentralisation where everyone on the crypto platform has a say but, central banks want a fiat currency to be exclusively issued and controlled by them.
• Theoretically everyone can ‘mine’ and create crypto unlike the centrally controlled CBDC.
• Solving the ‘double spending’ problem and being a crypto (not just a digital version of currency) seems impossible.
• A centralised CBDC will require the RBI to validate each transaction.
• CBDCs at present cannot be a substitute for cryptos that will soon begin to be used as money. This will impact the functioning of central banks and commercial banks.

Double-spending is the risk that a cryptocurrency can be used twice or more. It occurs when someone alters a blockchain network and inserts a special one that allows them to reacquire a cryptocurrency.

References

1. https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/cryptos-and-a-cbdc-are-not-the-same-thing/article65333509.ece
2. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/doublespending.asp