India to Favor CBDCs Over Bitcoin and Ethereum in Potential Ban

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As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the dynamic world of finance and technology, I find myself intrigued by India’s impending decision regarding cryptocurrencies. Having closely followed this space for years, I must admit that the narrative around digital assets in India has been as unpredictable as the market itself.

The Indian government appears to be leaning towards making a substantial decision about the future of digital currencies operating within its territory, favoring Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) over privately issued cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Yesterday, I came across a report stating that some national authorities have expressed concerns about digital assets like stablecoins. They believe that the potential risks associated with these assets significantly surpass their advantages when it comes to day-to-day transactions.

Consultations Ahead of Major Decision

During the consultative meeting on October 22, I articulated my perspective on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) like the digital rupee (e₹). I highlighted that these digital currencies emulate the benefits associated with cryptocurrencies while avoiding their inherent risks.

One unnamed official stated to Hindustan Times that Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) share similar functionalities as cryptocurrencies but offer additional advantages over them. They noted that CBDCs possess these benefits while avoiding the risks inherent in privately issued digital currencies.

A major topic that has come up during our discussions involves the potential instability of digital currencies known as stablecoins. These stablecoins are linked to national assets like regular currencies or commodities such as gold. However, despite this backing, stablecoins can present systemic risks, as was evident with TerraUST’s collapse in 2022 when it failed to maintain its parity with the U.S dollar. This incident triggered a significant industry-wide reaction.

Before the government’s upcoming discourse on regulating cryptocurrencies, it’s been shared that certain high-ranking officials have held confidential meetings about this topic. This paper, due for release, aims to tackle increasing worries regarding the management of these digital assets classified as private property.

A Potential Ban and Stricter Regulations

In the near future, there’s a possibility that India may tighten its regulations on digital currencies run by private entities, potentially going as far as an outright prohibition.

As a G20 nation, the country has endorsed the IMF and Financial Stability Board’s synopsis report, enabling stricter crypto regulations beyond the minimum global standard suggested in the report. Although this does not necessitate an immediate ban, it lays a legal foundation for India to potentially enact one.

India has consistently voiced concerns regarding cryptocurrencies, while the country’s public demonstrates a strong fascination with digital assets. Recently, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das, reinforced this stance by suggesting that Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are more suitable for international transactions compared to cryptocurrencies.

He suggested that CBDCs could mitigate the risks posed by private digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

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2024-10-22 17:24