Crypto transactions should be recognised as asset class, regulated centrally: RSS body


PTI, Nov 20, 2021, 1:47 PM IST

New Delhi: The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagaran Manch has said that the government should bring a law to recognize cryptocurrency transactions as an “asset class” and regulate it.

Speaking to PTI, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan suggested that the government should also ensure that data and hardware, which is used in mining, processing, and transacting of the cryptocurrencies, stay at domestic servers. It will help the government unearth illicit transactions and take action against them, he added.

“At present, anybody from anywhere in the world can invest in it through private exchanges run by private entities. And the worse is, cryptocurrencies are not controlled by any central authority,” he said when asked for his views on cryptocurrencies.

There is no mechanism in place to see how the encrypted transactions are being made through private exchanges, who are the ones investing in it and what the investors are doing with them, he added.

“Legislation is needed to regulate cryptocurrencies and to recognize transactions done with it as an asset class. This will help develop a better understanding of the transactions for purposes of taxation and national security,” Mahajan said. He rejected the comparison of crypto assets with commodities like gold, calling it “unfounded”, saying cryptos have no “intrinsic value”.

Private virtual currencies are at “substantial odds” with the concept of money, he said, emphasizing that ”no sovereign” should allow private agencies to issue legal tenders or anything equivalent to it.

“Most of the bitcoins are mined in the dark web and we don’t know who is the issuer. The monies do not represent any person’s debt or liabilities. This crypto is not money. Certainly, it cannot be a currency,” he said.

Globally, there are instances where bitcoins were used on the dark web to pay for guns, drugs, and other illicit purposes, he added. Amid concerns over cryptocurrency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had chaired a meeting on November 13 to deliberate on the way forward.

On November 15, a parliamentary panel, chaired by BJP leader Jayant Sinha, also discussed the pros and cons of crypto finance with various stakeholders.

Mahajan appreciated the move but said there is a need to hold ”a larger discussion” on the issue, involving all stakeholders. “The government is talking to some key stakeholders, yet a larger discussion is needed. There is a need for a national debate and larger discussion on the subject of cryptocurrencies,” he said.

Originally started with Bitcoin in 2008, there are currently hundreds of cryptocurrencies being traded on private exchanges internationally, including India. Due to its stratospheric rise, Bitcoin is considered the best investment of the last decade. Originally priced at around 10 cent, the coin was being traded at over $60,0000 till last week. Solana and Ethereum are two of the other leading coins in the market, with multiple use cases.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Actress Kasthuri stokes controversy by her remarks on Telugu-speaking people in TN

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Lone tusker spotted on NH-166 near Karkala, disrupts traffic

Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning in MUDA case on Wednesday

Not ‘kaun banega mukhyamantri’ contest; MVA to name CM pick after polls: Jairam Ramesh

Related Articles More

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Group clash in Indore after argument over bursting firecrackers: NSA slapped against 2 accused

Police rescue 70 cattle after gunfight with cow smugglers in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Actress Kasthuri stokes controversy by her remarks on Telugu-speaking people in TN

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Group clash in Indore after argument over bursting firecrackers: NSA slapped against 2 accused

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.