Churchill famously said, ‘never let a good crisis go to waste’; many policymakers are now seeking regulation as a response to the crypto crash.
As cryptocurrency and DeFi technologies continue to advance, regulators face unique challenges. This research extends behavioral finance theories to the cryptocurrency market, showing how regulatory policies have different outcomes depending on investor sentiment.
Investing in Cryptocurrencies
Regulatory bodies around the world are grappling with how best to govern this new market. Some are responding by increasing security measures on crypto trading platforms while others attempt to crack down on cybercriminals – for instance, Russia’s Suex exchange recently came under Treasury Department sanctions to make illicit gains harder for criminals while in America both SEC and IRS require exchanges to verify identities before operating their trading platforms.
Education of investors is also crucial in mitigating risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency assets. Knowledgeable investors will act more responsibly and seek transparency from companies. This in turn reduces the need for complex regulatory frameworks that could stifle innovation and hinder growth.
Taxes
Governments are grappling with how best to regulate the cryptocurrency market. While some legislators favor using existing law as a basis for regulation, others favor creating an entirely new regulatory framework tailored to address specific crypto characteristics. A former senator noted that an important distinction from traditional securities lies in tokens being more decentralized and being settled without intermediaries within real time – qualities which require tailored regulation framework.
No matter their regulatory status, cryptocurrencies must be integrated into existing regimes that manage capital flows. To achieve this goal, clear legal treatment and granular rules are necessary, including their classification for tax purposes such as value-added tax or levies on income or wealth. Measuring how effective law enforcement efforts are at stemming illegal cryptocurrency flows is also key; to this end, the 118th Congress has begun taking steps by holding hearings and creating the Digital Assets, Fintech, and Inclusion Subcommittee.
ICOs
Cryptocurrencies have quickly captured the interest of investors and traders worldwide since Bitcoin’s introduction, drawing investors and traders alike into this highly volatile, unregulated sector. While regulating it would help secure its markets while building investor confidence, excessive regulation may stifle innovation.
Cryptocurrency regulations are still evolving. While regulators have made efforts to crack down on cryptocurrency criminal activity, they’re also working on crafting rules to address its unique risks. These include treating crypto assets like securities and providing protections comparable to those seen with traditional investments. ICO investors do not enjoy deposit insurance or Securities Investor Protection Corporation policies, while companies issuing cryptocurrency do not need to file financial reports like publicly traded stocks do – creating additional risks for investors (SEC 2023). While sensible guidelines would benefit the industry overall, providing they don’t impede innovation too severely (SEC, 2023).
Exchanges
Crypto proponents welcome sensible guidelines within which to operate, provided it doesn’t stifle innovation. Regulators must define exactly what they are regulating; some jurisdictions use technology-agnostic definitions; other jurisdictions have classified cryptocurrencies as securities with particular properties.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers most cryptocurrencies to be securities based on a 1946 Supreme Court ruling in Howey; however, many popular cryptocurrencies have managed to avoid regulatory requirements by classifying themselves as commodities instead.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James is spearheading efforts to create the strongest cryptocurrency regulations in the country. Her bill would increase transparency and accountability while aligning with regulations imposed on other financial services, and require exchanges to perform identity verification for customers to help combat money laundering and illicit activities. Furthermore, this legislation would provide a strong framework for systemic stablecoin arrangements.
