Crypto

I spend a lot of time thinking about the way the network is impacting finance. The network is the network of citizens, enabled by mobile smartphones, the internet and cloud computing. The result is that everything can be developed and delivered on a peer-to-peer decentralised basis. The knock-on effect is that governments and centralised institutions…

Those who read my blog often know that I see FinTech as the partnership between old bankers and young technology visionaries or, in context, a parent-child relationship. The parent wants stability and to maintain the status quo; the child wants to break down barriers and change the world. That’s a tough alignment, especially if you…

I stumbled over this phrase the other day – The Office of the CFO – and thought it was interesting. It’s interesting because, as a Chief Financial Officer, CFO, you need to show knowledge and depth about money. That’s your job. So, as a CFO, what would you do today? Place money in a bank…

I caused quite a debate on twitter over the weekend when sharing the supposed fact that one bitcoin transaction uses the same amount of energy as a US household uses over a month. ONE Bitcoin transaction uses the same amount of energy as a US household uses over a monthhttps://t.co/1z5HgzRLRo — Chris Skinner (@Chris_Skinner) June…

FedNow is launching in July, as mentioned in March. Interestingly, there has been a huge debate about this as Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Junior tweeted: The Fed just announced it will introduce its “FedNow” Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in July. CBDCs grease the slippery slope to financial slavery and political tyranny. While cash transactions are…

In this discussion of centralised versus decentralised, the delineation of physical versus digital assets becomes interesting. For example, is it better to have a Picasso painting on your wall at home or an NFT (non-fungible token) of a Picasso picture? It’s an interesting discussion as, when you have the physical asset, you know that you…

A month ago, I discussed the American Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) case against Ripple, who are accused of trading securities with the question: are cryptocurrencies securities? Since then, the SEC has issued warrants against Binance and Coinbase, and seem to be in full flow to stand up against the crypto trading industry and bring…

I often quote Bob Diamond, the former CEO of Barclays Bank, who states: “I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t believe that in the future a digital version of the dollar for institutional and corporate use isn’t going to happen and be far more efficient.” Bob is now a founder of Atlas Capital, and also…

There is a huge debate around whether cryptocurrencies are securities or not. Should they be regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or not? This has come to a head recently, as the SEC decided to tackle Ripple and Coinbase as deviants. Ripple Effects From SEC Suit Could Strengthen Coinbase Litigation Ripple v. SEC:…

It’s interesting how countries and regions are responding to all of the interest in cryptocurrencies. The European Union is the latest to make a move with DAC8. What’s DAC8? It is the new eighth directive on administrative cooperation. That’s fun, isn’t it? The new Directive is all about tax transparency rules for any platform or…