Virtual Money: How Much do Cryptocurrencies Alter the Fundamental Functions of Money?

Selvitys 15-11-2019

Advanced economies are moving towards a cashless system, with a recent surge in cryptocurrencies, issued by private entities. Although digital currencies may increase welfare, due to a reduction in transaction costs, they introduce risks to monetary and financial stability. Furthermore, they barely serve as money due to their large volatility. To partly overcome these problems, the issuance of a stablecoin would be an intermediate solution between private and central bank issued digital currency. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee.