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UBS: European Banks Interested in Cryptocurrencies, but Not Bitcoin

Alan Draper

European banks are interested in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, but they don’t believe the currency is likely to become accepted, according to the chairman of UBS.

The head of the Swiss global financial services said that bitcoin’s use to banks is limited. This was due to its volatility and lack of control over its supply.

Speaking in Zurich, Axel Weber, chairman of UBS, explained:

“For money to be a generally accepted means of payment, and a means to store value, it is essential that a central bank limits its supply. This isn’t the case with bitcoin. This might change one day, if a central bank would issue a digital currency.”

He added that the bank doesn’t use or trade in bitcoin. However, it’s interested in the blockchain.

“We have several pilot projects where we are analysing the potential benefits of this technology.”

‘Utility Settlement Coin’

UBS is reportedly discussing with other central banks about the possibility of creating a ‘utility settlement coin.’ Apparently, this would be a collateralised cryptocurrency that banks could use to pay one another or purchase securities.

Expected to launch next year, subject to support from central banks, other financial establishments such as HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Barclays have demonstrated an interest in the project.

Improving Efficiency and Cutting Costs

For many banks, though, cryptocurrencies are a convenient way to do settlements. That’s certainly the thinking of Francisco Fernandez, founder and chief executive of Avaloq, which provides cloud-based software and services to banks.

He said:

“It is transparent and can enhance settlement efficiency.”

Yet, he added that bitcoin is still very new and is used in a speculative way, adding:

“Of course regulation must be addressed to make sure a digital currency is not used for money laundering or other fraudulent activities.”

He claims that there is no value ‘in prohibiting it from trading.’

‘Run for Their Money’

Interestingly, these comments from UBS come at a time when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief said that it would be ‘unwise‘ for banks to dismiss cryptocurrencies.

Speaking at a Bank of England conference at the end of September, Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the IMF, said:

“For now, virtual currencies such as bitcoin pose little or no challenge to the existing order of fiat currencies and central banks.”

She explained this was because they are ‘too volatile, too risky, too energy intensive, and because the underlying technologies are not yet scalable.’

However, she claimed that:

“Many of these are technological challenges that could be addressed over time.”

As a result, digital currencies may become a viable alternative for countries that have weak economies. Furthermore, they present an ideal avenue for acceptance rather than taking on the U.S dollar or the British pound.

Lagarde said:

“Instead, citizens may one day prefer virtual currencies, since they potentially offer the same cost and convenience as cash—no settlement risks, no clearing delays, no central registration, no intermediary to check accounts and identities.”

Adding:

“So in many ways, virtual currencies might just give existing currencies and monetary policy a run for their money. The best response by central bankers is to continue running effective monetary policy, while being open to fresh ideas and new demands, as economies evolve.”

Regulating Cryptocurrencies

The digital currency market has expanded exponentially. So much so, that at the time of publishing, on the 3rd October, it is now worth $143.6 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Yet, the highest recorded value was when it within touching distance of $180 billion at the beginning of September. This was pushed alone by bitcoin’s rise to above $5,000 for the first time.

However, it’s because of the rapid rise that many are calling for the market to be regulated.

This can be seen by the fact that Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is to monitor bitcoin exchanges from this month.

In a report, this move is being undertaken to ensure the exchanges have the correct internal systems in place. If customer assets aren’t protected then on-site inspections will be carried out by the FSA.

An FSA executive said on the decision:

“We pursue both market fostering and regulation enforcement. We aim for sound market development.”

The volatility of market prices are of particular concern to a former commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Last month, Bart Chilton said that bitcoin’s price changes so much because of two things: it’s not like a stock and it’s not regulated.

He explained:

“Unlike oil, gold or corn, with digital currencies, there’s no “there” there—no physical stuff, or even made-up stuff backed by anyone or anything.”

Regarding regulation, he added:

“There’s no sure-footed surveillance to ensure trading is taking place in an orderly and appropriate fashion.”

However, according to him it’s not too late for solutions to be found. He claims that ‘visionary leadership is needed,’ to stop governments from banning or over-regulating the market.

Market Prices

At the time of publishing, the prices of cryptocurrencies are experiencing a drop in values.

This could be down to the fact that Switzerland’s regulator announced it was investigating some ICOs. According to the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), ICOs are violating the country’s laws against ‘terrorist financing.’

Bitcoin’s price is currently valued at $4,262, a 3.39 percent drop in 24 hours. It does, however, retain a 8.46 percent rise over seven days.

However, industry insiders claim that bitcoin is heading for $6,000 by the end of the year. In a recent report, experts claim that investors should prepare themselves for further volatility.

Thomas Glucksmann, head of APAC business development at Gatecoin, said:

“Throughout the year we’ve been predicting the bitcoin price will surpass $5,000 and creep closer to $6,000 by year’s end. That prediction is looking more in line with market sentiment these days.”

In November, the community is expected to see another fork to the network through the creation of SegWit2x. Just like when bitcoin cash was created there may be some volatility as traders weigh the impact.

Ethereum is trading at $290, a 2.67 percent drop over 24 hours. It continues to evade the $300 mark and is currently valued at $27.5 billion.

Of the top 10 cryptocurrencies, the biggest 24-hour can be seen from 9th-placed IOTA. As can be seen from the graph below it saw a drop of nearly 11 percent.

Featured image from Shutterstock.

Alan Draper
Alan Draper

Alan has been working in the gambling industry for over a decade and is a prolific writer on blockchain gambling. He uses his expert knowledge of cryptocurrencies, sports betting, and online casinos to bring you the highest quality crypto gambling guides out there. Alan Draper is a highly experienced and knowledgeable gaming expert, who has been involved in the gambling industry for over a decade. He has developed an extremely detailed comprehension of bitcoin gambling through his work as the Chief Editor of Business2Community.com, StockApps.com & InsideBitcoins.com. Alan's expertise extends beyond merely understanding the technical aspects of blockchain gambling, as he is also capable of making gambling strategies easily digestible and writing up honest brand reviews.