The Chilean president, Mario Marcel, has made comment seemingly in favor of developing a regulatory apparatus for virtual currencies. The apparent openness to regulating cryptocurrencies contrasts significantly from the recent banking embargo targeting virtual currency recently witnessed in Chile.
Chilean President Discusses Benefits of Regulating Cryptocurrencies
During a forum recently held by Chile’s Finance Commission of Deputies, President Marcel made comments indicating that his administration is considering developing a legislative apparatus designed to regulate and monitor activities pertaining to Chile’s cryptocurrency sector. Presently, cryptocurrencies are entirely unregulated in Chile, and are not legally recognized as a means of exchange or securities.
Mr. Marcel spoke in favor of developing an effective means through which to monitor the cryptocurrency markets, stating that “Incorporating a regulation would allow having a registry of the participants in these activities and thus have information to monitor the associated risks,” adding that “These activities could be developed under more robust standards and mechanisms, especially in terms of market transparency, consumer protection, and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.”
By contrast, President Marcel warned that developing an ad hoc regulatory apparatus could risk providing a false “sense of security” whilst failing to effectively manage associated risks.
Despite the comments, Mr. Marcel still questioned whether or not a regulatory framework for virtual currencies is warranted in Chile, stating “Considering that these assets exist in the country, there is an associated industry and people who own them, it is questionable if it would be appropriate to change this situation.”
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