33 Cryptocurrencies Described in Four Words or Less

33 Cryptocurrencies Described in Four Words or Less

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and Litecoin which are the major cryptocurrencies have been good and bad investments. It has been a good investment for all those who have purchased them early and sold them in their high times, at the end of 2017. It has been bad for all those who have purchased in the all-time high and sold it in the recent week when the prices dropped down. The investors who have taken the risk during the dip can be richly awarded for their bravery and patience.

But this the past about these currencies, what can the future be? Are they good or bad investments?

Few economists see cryptos as a more technological invention than a quick to get rich scheme, if someone plans to invest in crypto then they should invest in the technology behind it because it is a technological revolution which has the potential to disrupt the fundamental aspects of the global financial systems.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and Litecoin are the major cryptocurrencies right now.

Bitcoin is one of the most battle-hardened networks at present. It is one such cryptocurrency that can be relied upon and with its lightning network in the early stages, great things are coming. Bitcoins correction at present is due to many extraordinary market pressures and can hold value for now.

Ethereum is considered as the general purpose scripted blockchain which is found by the greatest minds of the present generation. It has the potential to one day rival Bitcoin. Ethereum took a large correction after the major market moves with high profile ICOs and is facing pressures from Bitcoin.

Ripple though is not truly decentralized but is lightning fast, it has the power to improve on the legacy banking systems and also help the streamline money transfer internationally.

Litecoin which is Bitcoins younger brother is the first true Altcoin that does not offer any technological developments over the protocol of Bitcoin. But it is likely a permanent fixture in the crypto world for many years yet to come.

33 Cryptocurrencies Described in Four Words or Less

In the meanwhile, the value of some lesser known tokens and altcoins can get the potential to fizzle out and certainly, the big players can see a surge in value before it’s too long. So it always doubtful about investing in cryptocurrencies because, if the investment is the speculative gamble for the user then it has the potential for short term gains or losses. But on the contrary, if the investment is a well-disciplined, strategy, academics and diversification for maximum returns, then it is closer to a game of roulette than to investment.

Investing with the major cryptocurrencies can be a risky game for the speculators than the investors, who can afford to lose a part or all the invested funds. If these cryptocurrencies can bring you huge profits, they also carry one more thing and that is to lose money. The predictions won’t always be right. None of them truly knows what is going to happen with the price of cryptos. It is always important to know which strategy works the best and also a good understanding of what makes a good investment.

33 Cryptocurrencies Described in Four Words or Less

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What influences the price of cryptocurrency?

What influences the price of cryptocurrency?

In the face of volatility, the crypto marketplace continues to attract the interest of investors and traders, as its popularity grows. Mainstream digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin have seen enormous growth in only a couple of years. Individuals who stocked their account up at the time with Ethereum or Bitcoin have become quite wealthy. So what influences the price of cryptocurrency?

The price of Bitcoin had blown up in December 2017. 2017 was an unexpected and full of controversies year in the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin started the year with a price of $1,000 and ended at almost $20,000. Obviously, the increases in demand for Bitcoin resulted in a higher price. When the majority of Bitcoin owners started selling their Bitcoin, for whatever motive, the reverse happened.

It’s understood that the supply-and-demand determines the dynamics of any exchange rate. The price is the result of all of that, but it’s required to recognize the criteria which affect market tendencies in projections for the long term and brief prospects to get a deeper comprehension.

So… What’s driving the demand? What influences the price of cryptocurrency?

What’ important to keep in mind when wondering “What influences the price of cryptocurrency?” is the following:

Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, the current market isn’t. Power over the marketplace is at the control of the elite controlling the larger share of the overall supply.

The marketplace has been gaining recognition and has attracted the interest of a lot of people. Even the cryptocurrencies, for example, Ethereum Bitcoin, Litecoin and Verge, have risen of times in only a couple of years to hundreds and thousands of dollars. The world wide web is filled with stories about lucky individuals who invested in Bitcoin and Ethereum before the majority of the population ever heard of the term “cryptocurrency”. And the vast majority are still confused about digital tokens and cryptocurrency.

Read more on The Beginner’s Guide to Cryptocurrency

There are risks, but people are thinking about buying cryptocurrency every day. It is estimated, that around 50% to 70% of the price of cryptocurrency gets corrected by the market in a couple of days. This is when inexperienced users can endure huge losses. Check out what are the cryptocurrency mistakes newbie investors make and how to avoid them. That’s why it’s important to understand the motion of the prices and comprehend the factors which influence and determine the price of the cryptocurrency.

what influences the price of cryptocurrency news

1. News

The cryptocurrency market volatility is dependent on mass media hype.  This could bring attention to a coin on both positive or negative fluctuations. A sudden spike or drop in the price of one or more cryptocurrency can be caused by a social media post of a famous cryptocurrency personality, which can be then massively spread by the media. News has a substantial influence on investors and in the marketplace.

Networking is one great method of manipulating people. News feeds can instil dread and anxiety, but also euphoria. There are many examples, which perfectly illustrate the effects of information over the marketplace. For example, in September 2017, China banned ICOs. The entire marked panicked and the price of Bitcoin dropped from $5000 to $3000.

What influences the price of cryptocurrency? Following the news can help you in short term predictions. But you need to know that news differs from each government. In January 2019, the controversies with the Chinese and Japanese cryptocurrency exchanges led to a meltdown of Bitcoin and altcoins, but NEO was still raising as it was backed by the Chinese news.

It is crucial to adhere to information and the latest trends from the media, but also consider it may be used for manipulation.

The withdrawal of the U.S. from Iran’s atomic agreement is among those present events hitting the headlines. This could have a negative influence on the crypto marketplace, leading to a drop on all established cryptocurrencies.

But what the media reports are only one factor which influences the price of the cryptocurrency, but it matters a lot when the press is reporting huge issues about a cryptocurrency. The media is going to be a fantastic tool when the mass adoption of cryptocurrency will begin.

what influences the price of cryptocurrency cryptocurrency politics

2. Politics

News warns of economy convulsions. But the business can be severely destabilized by political scenarios.

What influences the price of cryptocurrency? This countries’ leaders along with the laws norms’ impact cryptocurrencies. Regulations, bans and other laws concerning cryptocurrencies affect their prices. The decision of China to ban ICOs in 2017 led to the momentary collapse of Bitcoin. They also put a ban on mining. The mining sector in this nation occupies a huge share in the entire amount of pools. A considerable quantity of funds is focused here, which lead to stagnation and may interrupt the industry equilibrium.

Read more on Cryptocurrency Regulation Around the World

That was not an isolated case. The opinions of other leaders in the field of investments have a similar effect. The world’s biggest investor, Warren Buffett, for instance, has cautioned that Bitcoin holders could confront future consequences and implied that the collapse of their electronic money is right around the corner. Let us remember when Mark Zuckerberg’s prohibited utilizing social networks like Facebook and Instagram as a stage for marketing any products predicated on cryptocurrencies or ICOs.

It is important to see that regulations may translate into adoption and market maturity. Cryptocurrency regulations offer protection and clarity of customers’ resources, meaning that more risk-averse investors, as well as institutional investors, can also get involved.

what influences the price of cryptocurrency economy

3. Economy

Demand and supply is the variable that is most crucial. There’s a limited number of coins (from each cryptocurrency) and so if the distribution is set and the demand keeps going up (like it happened with Bitcoin and many others ) then the cost increases. That’s why mass adoption is desired. The more people buy crypto, the higher the price.

What influences the price of cryptocurrency? Economic instability search for alternatives and may have a ripple effect in financial markets, as both shareholders and citizens eliminate faith in fiat money. Other factors which could interrupt the marketplace comprise dependence on emitters, inflation, and currency devaluation. Additionally, the crypto marketplace remains in its infancy period, where volatility can impact adversely on the value and recognition of cryptocurrencies as a way of payment.

Read more on What Can You Buy Using Cryptocurrency?

It’s just as important to be aware that fiat money, in addition to financial businesses, are conservative concerning the financial dimension. In spite of improved technologies and simplified monetary transactions, their strategies remain decentralized and limited. Processing of micro-transactions is non-existent or too complex in platforms.

Advanced technology can simplify procedures but don’t alter the fundamentals. The economics of the cryptocurrency marketplace takes into account these facets.

what influences the price of cryptocurrency? public opinion

4. Fear / Public opinion 

What people think about a coin is vital. If people feel that coin is going to tank, they will not buy in the coin or even sell it if they possess some coins.

By selling or not purchasing they’re currently causing the purchase price of the coin to tank as they anticipated, but it is happening due to their actions. The identical situation works in reverse as seen lately with Bitcoin where folks understood the cost was going to rise and more and more people started to buy into it (causing the price to rise more). When the cost increased appreciably, it appears people have started to sell, thus locking the cost below 3000.

Lots of purchasing pressure are from those that are only hearing about Bitcoin for the first time Or it can increase due to people that are starting to view it as more than a tool for offenders while it strikes the headlines for more than the closing down of Silk Road or comparable stories of cybercrime about the darknet. Whilst many have continued criticizing Bitcoin, the numbers speak for themselves. Where else could an investor earn 700% in only 11 weeks? Cryptocurrency has made early adopters wealthy. An influx of people looking for gains has been a significant driver of cost this season.

Economy majors/thought leaders, dominate the marketplace with the assistance of FOMO (fear of missed chance ) and FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). Fiscal giants’ action falls in the cost rates and functions as a catalyst for the prices’ ups and downs. They form the disposition of this majority, which raises decrease or growth. Improved “punchy” expansion inspires confidence and can induce to get assets in a hurry and unwisely. So… What influences the price of cryptocurrency? A sale can be influenced by uncertainty. The renowned investor and billionaire Warren Buffett, with $90 billion in his own accounts, used to say “Be fearful when others are greedy, and also be greedy when others are fearful”.

Read more on  The best cryptocurrency exchanges for beginner

It’s actually very important to behave independently and not follow the crowd, particularly when the sector is highly overbought (should you think about purchasing) or oversold (if selling is contemplated).

what influences the price of cryptocurrency? technologycal progress

5. Technological progress

The last element is innovation that the coin brings to the table. We are talking about coins that bring value, not the cryptocurrency projects which disappear and run off with the cash raises in the ICO or coins which are trying to become the new bitcoin. Steemit will do good with its innovative idea, along with other coins like Golem, Opus, and BAT, which have a particular niche.

The technological part is appealing to those who believe in the coin’s utility and are holding the coin for the long run, not for those individuals who are just using altcoins to earn money trading (since they’d only care about cost whether the coin is really useful).

Read more on How you can earn free cryptocurrency?

But this aspect can’t be ignored when we are talking about the market’s demand.  The development of new platforms causes an increasing interest of investors and this has a positive effect on the development of assets.

The resistance of the classic financial institutions also conditions the market increase. Striving for anonymity, liberty, protection and quicker transactions are the goals which lay as a basis for the market’s evolution. This will not online improve users’ life, but also make the companies more productive and transparent. And with new regulatory and legislative processes, the cryptocurrency marketplace will make room for itself in a new economic world. Of course, cryptocurrency, the blockchain technology and digital tokens can be used for so much more than the financial field.

What influences the price of cryptocurrency? We cannot disregard the technological component when it comes to what shapes the market demand. New platforms introduced for example trading through the cellular handsets, often arrive with a brand new wave of interest which may impact the cryptocurrency marketplace. The growing interest of investors will have an influence over the price of a cryptocurrency.

It’s not possible to forecast the end result of transformations. Factors that influence growth and many variables make it difficult to estimate the results. You may expect an advanced breakthrough or a failure in economics and engineering.

January 2019: Cryptocurrency Review

January 2019: Cryptocurrency Review

Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019

What happened to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in January 2019? How did the crypto market perform and what other cryptocurrency news should you look after? Find out some of the cryptocurrency highlights of January 2019.

This is the chart for Bitcoin for January 2019.

bitcoin january 2019 review

The new year started slowly for the crypto market, as it was bouncing between a high of $135.4B and low of around $125B. The first week ended with a market cap of $129B – slightly under a 6% weekly gain.

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/4/2019)

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/4/2019)The second week of January left us with a drop in the crypto market, with a $123.2B market cap, a 4.5% drop on the week. Most of the top cryptocurrencies saw red during this week as well, with the exception of Tron (TRX) which actually grew 23.71%.

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/11/19)

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/11/19)A rather uneventful week was the third week of the year. The total market cap was at around $122B.  Most individual cryptocurrencies stayed within single-digit gains and losses. A few exceptions were Augur (56.85%), Chainlink (20.45%), and TenX (78.94%).

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/18/19)

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/18/19)

The fourth week started on a positive note but ended up being a disappointment for cryptocurrency prices. The cryptocurrency market cap dropped about 1.6% and currently sits at $120 billion. The only coins showing any double-digit movement were Waves (12.99%), Holo (76.98%), and Factom (14.59%) among a few others.

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/25/19)

Cryptocurrency Market Stats (1/25/19)

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain News

31st December 2018 

The online retailer Overstock announced it would pay a part of its Ohio state business tax using Bitcoin.

The state will charge a 1% fee on payments made with Bitcoin, which is less than the 2.5% service fee on credit card payments.

7th January 2019

Some northern Nevada areas are utilizing blockchain to store computerized version of government records like birth and marriage certificates.

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) published a proposal for using blockchain for air traffic data. They describe it as “an open source permissioned blockchain framework to enable aircraft privacy and anonymity while providing a secure and efficient method for communication with Air Traffic Services, Operations Support, or other authorized entities.”

8th January 2019

Nick Szabo, one of Bitcoin’s earliest developers, spoke at the Israeli Bitcoin Summit. During his presentation, he made a bold claim, “There’s going to be some situations where a central bank can’t trust a foreign central bank or government with their bonds…a more trust minimized solution is cryptocurrency.”

10th January 2019

Darren Soto, blockchain’s biggest fan on Capitol Hill, told Cheddar.com this week that the SEC shouldn’t have jurisdiction over most cryptocurrencies. He stated that “securities laws can be very intense”, which inhibits the growth of blockchain technology.

15th January 2019

The state of Wyoming proposed a bill to legalize the tokenization of stock certificates for corporations. Beyond stock issuance, the bill would make voting via blockchain legally binding as well.

Blockchain companies are beginning to notice too. IOHK, the development company behind Cardano, has announced plans to relocate from Hong Kong to Wyoming.

16th January 2019

Exchange owners reacted to Cryptopia’s recent hack. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) outlined the risks of storing funds yourself, encouraging users to only store coins on reputable exchanges or, even better, decentralized exchanges (DEXs).

17th January 2019

Professors from MIT, Stanford, and Berkeley will attempt to create a new cryptocurrency with faster transaction speeds and the same core decentralization principles of crypto. The new crypto, Unit-e, will allegedly process up to 10,000 transactions per second utilizing a new form of sharding.

Unit-e is the first project under Distributed Technology Research, a non-profit for creating decentralized tech and backed by investors such as Pantera Capital.

18th January 2019

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) talked about the classification of cryptocurrencies: “only fiat currency, or currency issued by the United States government, is ‘money’ in Pennsylvania.” This classification means that cryptocurrency exchanges and kiosks like Bitcoin ATMs are not required to get Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs).

According to the DoBS, to require an MTL, “fiat currency must be transferred with or on behalf of an individual to a 3rd party, and the money transmitter must charge a fee for the transmission.” As crypto entities exchange fiat for crypto directly, they do not qualify. This is great news for cryptocurrency businesses, but they still have to follow the stricter rules of the federal government and other states in which they wish to operate.

22nd January 2019

CNBC hosted a panel in Davos, Switzerland. Here are some memorable quotes regarding Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology from the discussions:

Jeff Schumacher (Founder, BCG Digital Ventures): “I do believe [bitcoin] will go to zero. I think it’s a great technology but I don’t believe it’s a currency. It’s not based on anything.”

Glen Hutchins (Chairman, North Island): “The way to think about the value of the tokens is as a derivative of the use value of the protocols they enable.”

Brad Garlinghouse (CEO, Ripple): “The long-term value of any digital asset is derived from the utility it delivers.”

Edith Yeung (Partner, 500 Startups): “I think it’s a really good thing that now the crypto secondary market has, in some way, fizzled out because the people who are here now building are the ones that really believe in the technology.”

 

What is an asset-backed cryptocurrency?

What is an asset-backed cryptocurrency?

Would the world benefit from an asset-backed cryptocurrency? YES! So how does an asset-backed cryptocurrency works?

Since Bitcoin introduced the idea of digital forms of money to a massive audience, the characterizing topic of basically all crypto tokens has been their extraordinary instability. But soon all that can change for the asset-backed cryptocurrency and asset-backed tokens (ABT).

The world is loaded up with resources, including land, stocks, gold, oil, among numerous others. The vast majority of these benefits are not actually transferable or sub-dividable physically. A change to a computerized framework along the lines of blockchain presents a suitable answer for these issues, subsequently the developing enthusiasm for asset-backed cryptocurrency.

What is an asset-backed cryptocurrency?

An asset-backed cryptocurrency or token is a cryptocurrency that utilizes a physical asset, such as real estate, for investment and revenue purposes.

They are considered to be the most reliable because the revenue system is backed by a physical asset which can be seen and accessed and therefore, it is easier to trust. Some analysts consider asset-backed cryptocurrency to be the next steps in the growth of cryptocurrencies.

There exist numerous digital currencies on top of the blockchain. The currencies (or tokens) can be used to transfer ownership of assets or objects outside the blockchain. This, in essence, is the tokenization of real assets.

Is an asset-backed token possible?

Land, gold, fiat money or oil are all examples of resources that could support and be part of the development of crypto tokens and possibly asset-backed cryptocurrency.

Being connected to a physical resource gives something extra and can influence how that asset-backed cryptocurrency is being transacted. Since most resource sponsored coins are attached to outer markets on which those benefits are exchanged.

Let’s take, for example, precious stones or silver. If the awareness of the token grows, at that point financial specialists will exploit the disparity and money out the physical resource.

Exactly how the basic resource of the token is overseen and secured in this procedure it will keep on being of fundamental significance. Institutional and standard financial specialists will be attracted to those coins upheld by systematised activities for managing and stripping resources.

Read more on Mainstream cryptocurrency adoption

Challenges of tokenization and ABT

While the tokenization and asset-backed tokens of genuine resources come with a guarantee, there are some challenges to overcome. Financial motivation help solve some of these challenges, and organizations and governments take part in the goal of creating a strong foundation in this field. Here are some of the issues:

  • Regulatory vacuum — The fields of cryptocurrency, tokenization and asset-backed cryptocurrency
    are not well regulated. As such, they introduce certain risks to qualified investors and customers.
  • Legal enforce-ability of property rights — Does owning tokens and asset-backed cryptocurrency confer ownership over the corresponding asset? In the event that the asset is inexistent, who is liable? How does the owner recover damages?
  • Technical infrastructure — There is a need to improve security and safety standards to make sure that asset-backed cryptocurrency is connected to its assets in the real world.

Read more on Regulation of Cryptocurrency Around the World Report

Benefits and Perspectives of asset-backed tokens

By joining the upsides of blockchain and traditional venture instruments, tokenisation can affect exchanges and speculation. The advantages of tokenization and asset-backed cryptocurrency are various and can be outlined as pursues:

  • Improves liquidity of assets like real estate
  • Allows fractional ownership
  • Permits the diversification of risk by owning parts of several assets
  • Alleviates territorial and temporal barriers
  • Allows newer models for raising capital
  • Allows more control, and even the ability to choose the level of control over an investment with implemented digital democracy
  • Decreases the number of intermediaries, and therefore the amount of fees
  • Unlocks liquidity premium

Read more on How to earn free cryptocurrency (without investing or mining)

As the digital currency advertise keeps on advancing, develop, and expanding, asset-backed cryptocurrency and tokens will be the portal to more extensive applications.

The Economics of Cryptocurrencies

The Economics of Cryptocurrencies

Let’ explore some of the factors that affect the price movements of a cryptocurrency. We have identified the main factors which affect the cryptocurrency price (but there are many more other)

  • Supply & Demand
  • Utility
  • Market Sentiment
  • Mining Difficulty

Supply & Demand

Supply and demand is a fundamental factor that affects the price of a cryptocurrency (and the price of any type of market). Bitcoin is the most well-known, and therefore, the most sought-after cryptocurrency. With a circulating supply of 16.7 million coins, the number of bitcoins available is quite low when compared to altcoins.

Circulating supply of the top ten cryptocurrencies according to coinmarketcap
Source: Coinmarketcap

This low supply, when weighed against the staggering demand Bitcoin has seen in the past few months, is believed, by some, to be the reason for Bitcoin’s surge in price.

Utility

Utility = the usefulness of a cryptocurrency. The more useful a cryptocurrency is, the more likely it is to be perceived as valuable, and therefore, the more likely it is to be bought.

Let’s take Ethereum as an example! People believe it is useful because of the platform that it provides in allowing people to build decentralized applications on top of. This novel use of blockchain technology as a sort of app store, as opposed to a medium of exchange, has been perceived by some to be very useful. And so, Ethereum can be said to have high utility and therefore be seen as valuable.

Market Sentiment

As a cryptocurrency trader, it is likely that you will switch between multiple positions at a high frequency. Therefore, it becomes key that any position you take is well researched and has a positive market sentiment surrounding it.

Read more on Where Is the Cryptocurrency Industry Headed in 2019?

It is important to research any project you intend investing and to read recent articles on that cryptocurrency. If you invest in a cryptocurrency that has had no real coverage, it is likely that your position will stagnate, or even worse, to decline in value.

Getting a clear view of the sentiment surrounding a cryptocurrency allows you to filter the useless cryptocurrencies and focus on active projects capable of growth.

Mining Difficulty

Mining difficulty = a measure of how hard it is to be the next person that gets to add a block to the blockchain, and receive the reward for doing so.

Read more on Mining Cryptocurrency: Crypto Mining Business Model Used Worldwide

A lower mining difficulty indicates that a cryptocurrency is easy to mine; this results in an increase in the rate of supply, and therefore, downward pressure on its price.

Conversely, a higher mining difficulty suggests that a cryptocurrency is harder to mine. This results in supply growing at a slower rate, therefore resulting in upward pressure on the price.

Cryptocurrency Regulation Around the World Report

Cryptocurrency Regulation Around the World Report

This report surveys the legal and policy landscape surrounding cryptocurrency regulation around the world. This report covers 130 countries as well as some regional organizations that have issued laws or policies on the subject.

After analysing how various jurisdictions, it would be possible to identify emerging patterns, as this report is trying to describe. The country surveys are also organized regionally to allow for region-specific comparisons.

The terminology used to describe cryptocurrency

One first aspect the report has revealed is the variety and fluidity of the terminology used to describe cryptocurrency.

Read more on The differences between cryptocurrency coins and tokens

Some of the terms used by countries to reference cryptocurrency include: digital currency (Argentina, Thailand, and Australia), virtual commodity (Canada, China, Taiwan), crypto-token (Germany), payment token (Switzerland), cyber currency (Italy and Lebanon), electronic currency (Colombia and Lebanon), and virtual asset (Honduras and Mexico).

Cryptocurrency regulation: Cryptocurrency warnings and approach

One common action was identified across the surveyed jurisdictions: the government-issued notices about the pitfalls of investing in the cryptocurrency markets.  Such warnings, mostly issued by central banks, are designed to educate people about the difference between actual currencies, which are issued and guaranteed by the state, and cryptocurrencies, which are not.

Most government warnings include the following: the investment risk resulting from the high volatility, many of the organizations that facilitate such transactions are unregulated, investing is done as a personal risk and some even add that cryptocurrency was created for illegal activities, such as money laundering and terrorism.

Read more on What is cryptocurrency and why do we need it?

Some of the countries surveyed go beyond simply warning the public and have expanded their laws on money laundering, counterterrorism, and organized crimes to include cryptocurrency markets, and require banks and other financial institutions to ban or limit any type of activity that cannot be tolerated under such laws.

For instance, Australia, Canada, and the Isle of Man recently enacted laws to bring cryptocurrency transactions and institutions that facilitate them under the ambit of money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws.

Some countries (Algeria, Bolivia, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam) ban any and all activities involving cryptocurrencies. Qatar and Bahrain have a slightly different approach in that they forbid their citizens from engaging in any kind of activities involving cryptocurrencies locally but allow citizens to do so outside their borders.

Other countries are indirectly imposing restrictions, by restricting cryptocurrency transactions of the financial institutions (Bangladesh, Iran, Thailand, Lithuania, Lesotho, China, and Colombia).

Cryptocurrency regulation: ICOs

Cryptocurrency regulation is not the only concern for some. Only a limited number of countries surveyed regulate initial coin offerings (ICOs). Some of these countries ban ICOs altogether (mainly China, Macau, and Pakistan), while most tend to focus on regulating them.

For the rest of the countries that do address ICOs, its regulations depend on how an ICO is categorized. For instance, in New Zealand,  particular obligations may apply depending on whether the token offered is categorized as a debt security, equity security, managed investment product, or derivative.  In the Netherlands, the rules applicable to a specific ICO depend on whether the token offered is considered a security or a unit in a collective investment, an assessment made on a case-by-case basis.

Read more on How to earn free cryptocurrency (without investing or mining)

Cryptocurrency regulation: Blockchain technology

Some of the jurisdiction surveyed for this report, while not recognizing cryptocurrencies as legal tender, see potential in the blockchain technology behind it and are developing a cryptocurrency-friendly regulatory regime as a means to attract investment in technology companies that excel in this sector. In this class are countries like Spain, Belarus, the Cayman Islands, and Luxemburg.

Read more on Blockchain technology used in non-cryptocurrency applications

Some jurisdictions are seeking to develop their own system of cryptocurrencies.  This category includes a diverse list of countries, such as the Marshall Islands, Venezuela, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) member states, and Lithuania.

Belgium, South Africa, and the United Kingdom stated that the size of the cryptocurrency market is too small to be cause for sufficient concern to warrant regulation but have issued warnings to the public about the pitfalls of such investments.

Cryptocurrency regulation: Cryptocurrency taxation

The challenge appears to be how to categorize cryptocurrencies and the specific activities involving them for purposes of taxation.

Transactions must first get classified either as income or capital gains to determine the applicable type of tax.

Read more on Top countries where cryptocurrency is legal

The surveyed countries have categorized cryptocurrencies differently for tax purposes, as illustrated by the following examples:

Israel taxed as asset
Bulgaria taxed as financial asset
Switzerland taxed as foreign currency
Argentina & Spain   subject to income tax
Denmark subject to income tax and losses are deductible
United Kingdom: corporations pay corporate tax, unincorporated businesses pay income tax, individuals pay capital gains tax

Mainly due to a 2015 decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), gains in cryptocurrency investments are not subject to value added tax in the European Union Member States.

Cryptocurrency mining is exempt from taxation in most surveyed countries. However, in Russia mining that exceeds a certain energy consumption threshold is taxable.

Cryptocurrency regulation: Cryptocurrency payments

In a small number of jurisdictions, cryptocurrency regulation permits cryptocurrencies as a means of payment.

Read more on What Can You Buy Using Cryptocurrency?

In the Swiss Cantons of Zug and a municipality within Ticino, cryptocurrencies are accepted as a means of payment even by government agencies. The Isle of Man and Mexico also permit the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment along with their national currency.  Much like governments around the world that fund various projects by selling government bonds, the government of Antigua and Barbuda allows the funding of projects and charities through government-supported ICOs.