Crypto Assets Are No Longer Niche Products: IMF Report

According to the newest report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), cryptocurrencies can no longer be seen as niche products, and have called for comprehensive regulation to govern the sector.

Over the past couple of years, digital assets have transitioned from niche products to more mainstream according to a new report by the IMF. For this reason, the Fund has called for authorities to develop comprehensive policies to regulate the nascent industry. The report remarks that cryptocurrencies are now a useful tool to conduct cross-border transactions, speculative investments, and hedges against weak currencies. It added that the recent failures of virtual asset providers as well as the market downturn, drive the push for regulators to establish relevant cryptocurrency policies. The authors of the report do however concede that various obstacles make it difficult for regulators to develop appropriate regulatory measures. The authors specifically mention regulators’ lack of workable skills, the market’s rapid evolution, and the struggle to monitor market activities.

Regulators have several priorities, and their resources are stretched thin. Hence, they are having difficulty learning the skills and talent to keep pace with the evolution in the industry.

As has been argued many times over, the report highlights the need for global regulators to adopt a consistent and coordinated approach to regulating the industry to create a uniform regulatory framework. Many aspects of crypto regulation are not covered by traditional financial regulations and therefore suggest that regulators split the establishment of policies among themselves. When a divided approach is taken, regulators can combine policies into a considered and comprehensive global cryptocurrency policy.

A global comprehensive crypto regulation offers various benefits to the crypto market. There will be order in the markets, higher consumer confidence, limits on what is permissible, and a conducive environment for innovation to thrive.

Recently, global financial regulators have held various meetings on the best way forward to regulate the digital currency market. Europe is the latest to have addressed its regulatory affairs and is set to release the final draft of its highly anticipated Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) cryptocurrency policy within the next six weeks.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.