Cryptocurrency regulation: The current state and future implications

Published
06/01/2024

Cryptocurrency is hot! It's exciting for investors and changing how finance works. But governments are worried. As crypto grows up, how to control it is a big question.

This article explains how different countries are figuring out crypto rules. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some countries, like China, ban it completely. Others, like Singapore, welcome it. Along with that, different chains and bridges have their own rules, so along with each country's rules, you need to also pay attention to the platform on which you’re trading rules.

 

A Patchwork of Regulations

There are some general rules against money laundering and terrorism that apply to crypto too. But each country makes these rules work in its own way.

In the US, for example, there are different rules depending on the state and federal government. Some cryptocurrencies are treated like stocks and bonds, with stricter controls. Others are more like commodities, like gold or oil.

The European Union is trying to create one set of rules for all its countries. This would make things clearer for everyone.

This lack of global agreement makes things difficult for companies like LI.FI. LI.FI allows people to trade cryptocurrencies freely, anyone can join in. This makes it hard for governments to track people and prevent bad things from happening.

 

Striking a Balance: Innovation vs. Stability

Cryptocurrencies have the opportunity to expand, but they also have the possibility to be dangerous. The governments are trying to understand how to regulate cryptocurrency so it is protected and used for the right reasons instead of halting all the other possibilities it opens up for us in the field of money. 

This is especially the case with decentralised finance or DeFi which are like internet-based traditional banks without a single figurehead. Here's what these new rules might mean for DeFi:

- More checkups: Governments might make DeFi platforms, like LI.FI, asks users for more info to confirm their identity (KYC) and track their transactions (AML). This helps catch people using crypto for bad things like money laundering or funding terrorism.

- Getting a license: In the future, DeFi platforms might need a special permit, like a driver's license, from the government to operate. This would make sure they follow the rules, but it could also make it harder for some people to use them.

- Working together: Governments and DeFi platforms can actually team up to come up with smart solutions. Imagine a safe space, like a playground with training wheels, where DeFi platforms can test new ideas without any risks. This way, everyone can learn and grow together.

 

Li.fi and other DeFi platforms are well-positioned to navigate this evolving regulatory landscape by:

- Being open: They can talk openly to both the government and its users about how things work and how they keep things safe.

- Building trust: They can put strong systems in place to prevent money laundering and other bad stuff, showing everyone they take safety seriously.

- Speaking up: They can talk to the people making the rules and explain how to make them fair while still allowing for innovation.

 

By following these steps, LI.FI and other DeFi platforms can keep playing a big role in shaping the future of finance, even with these new rules in place.