http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/06/george-osborne-britain-bitcoin-capitalThe Treasury has launched a review looking to turn the UK into a centre for virtual currency trade, the chancellor, George Osborne, announced at Canary Wharf in London.
Officials will study the benefits and threats unregulated digital currencies including bitcoin, which peaked with a market capitalisation of around $14bn at the end of 2013 but has since declined to about $8bn according to bitcoin market watcher BlockChain.
The title is very much putting words in Osborns mouth. What he is actually doing is commissioning a study on the impact of virtual currencies to ensure we keep London in the no 1 position for international finance and financial innovation. Specifically he talked about helping businesses seek finance from means other than the banks which have demonstrated themselves to be too slow and inflexible.
I've seen a lot of posts knocking George Osborne over this, but he's actually a very progressive intellectual, and if it's good for the UK he WILL make it happen!
