Over the past year, the cryptocurrency market took a series of serious punches from the Chinese government. The market took the hits sort of a someone, however the combos have taken its toll in several cryptocurrency investors. The market lackluster performance in 2018 pales as compared to its stellar thousand-percent gains in 2017.
What has happened?
Since 2013, the Chinese government have taken measures to control cryptocurrency, however nothing compared to what was enforced in 2017. (Check out this text for an in depth analysis of the official notice issued by the Chinese government)
2017 was a banner year for the cryptocurrency market with all the eye and growth it's achieved. the intense worth volatility forced the financial organization to adopt additional extreme measures, together with the ban of initial coin offerings (ICOs) and clampdowns on domestic cryptocurrency exchanges. Soon after, mining factories in China were forced to shut down, citing excessive electricity consumption. several exchanges and factories have settled overseas to avoid rules however remained accessible to Chinese investors. all the same, they still fail to flee the claws of the Chinese Dragon.
In the latest series of government-led efforts to watch and ban cryptocurrency commerce among Chinese investors, China extended its "Eagle Eye" to watch foreign cryptocurrency exchanges. corporations and bank accounts suspected of winding up transactions with foreign crypto-exchanges and connected activities square measure subjected to measures from limiting withdrawal limits to physical change of accounts. There have even been in progress rumors among the Chinese community of additional extreme measures to be enforced on foreign platforms that enable commerce among Chinese investors.
"As for whether or not there'll be more regulative measures, we'll have to be compelled to await orders from the upper authorities." Excerpts from associate degree interview with team leader of the China's Public data Network Security direction agency underneath the Ministry of peace, twenty eighth February
WHY WHY WHY!?
Imagine your kid finance his or her savings to take a position in an exceedingly digital product (in this case, cryptocurrency) that he or she has no means of validating its believability and price. He or she might get lucky and strike it made, or do all once the crypto-bubble burst. currently scale that to many Chinese voters and that we square measure talking regarding billions of Chinese Yuan.
The market is jam-packed with scams and pointless ICOs. (I'm positive you've got detected news of individuals causing coins to random addresses with the promise of doubling their investments and ICOs that merely do not create sense). several unsavvy investors square measure in it for the money and would care less regarding the technology and innovation behind it. the worth of the many cryptocurrencies springs from market speculation. throughout the crypto-boom in 2017, participate in any ICO with either a notable authority aboard, a promising team or an honest hoopla and you're warranted a minimum of 3X your investments.
A lack of understanding of the firm and also the technology behind it, combined with the proliferation of ICOs, could be a instruction for disaster. Members of the financial organization reports that nearly ninetieth of the ICOs square measure dishonest or involves ill-gotten fundraising. In my opinion, the Chinese government needs to confirm that cryptocurrency remains 'controllable' and not too huge to fail among the Chinese community. China is taking the proper steps towards a safer, additional regulated cryptocurrency world, albeit aggressive and polemical. In fact, it would be the simplest move the country has taken in decades.
Will China issue associate degree demand and create cryptocurrency illegal? I extremely doubt therefore since it's pretty pointless to try and do therefore. Currently, money establishments square measure illegal from holding any crypto assets whereas people square measure allowed to however square measure barred from winding up any types of commerce.
A State-run Cryptocurrency Exchange?
At the annual "Two Sessions" (Named as a result of 2 major parties- National People's Congress (NPC) and also the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political informatory Conference (CPCC) each participate within the forum）held on the primary week of March, leaders congregate to debate regarding the most recent problems and create necessary law amendments.
Wang Pengjie, a member of the NPCC splattered into the prospects of a state-run digital quality commerce platform yet as initiate instructional comes on blockchain and cryptocurrency in China. However, the planned platform would need a echt account to permit commerce.
"With the institution of connected rules and also the co-operation of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) and China Securities regulative Commission(CSRC), a regulated and economical cryptocurrency exchange platform would function a proper means for corporations to lift funds (through ICOs) and investors to carry their digital assets and bring home the bacon capital appreciation" Excerpts of Wang Pengjie presentation at the 2 Sessions.
The March towards a Blockchain Nation
Governments and central banks worldwide have struggled to grapple with the increasing quality of cryptocurrencies; however one issue is certain, all have embraced blockchain.
Despite the cryptocurrency suppression, blockchain has been gaining quality and adoption in varied levels. The Chinese government are supporting blockchain initiatives and clasp the technology. In fact, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are performing on a digital currency and have conducted mock transactions with a number of the country's industrial banks. it's still unconfirmed if the digital currency are going to be localized and supply options of cryptocurrency like namelessness and unchangingness. It would not return as a surprise if it seems to be simply a digital Chinese Yuan providing namelessness is that the final thing that China needs in their country. However, created as a detailed substitute of the Chinese Yuan, the digital currency are going to be subjected to existing financial policies and laws.
People's Bank of China Governor, Zhou Xiaochuan. Source: CNBC
"Lots of cryptocurrencies have seen explosive growth which might bring important negative impact on customers and retail investors. we do not like (cryptocurrency) product that create use of the massive chance for speculation that provides individuals the illusion of obtaining made overnight" Excerpts from Zhou Xiaochuan interview on Fri, 9th March.
On a media look on Fri, 9th March, Governor of People's Bank of China, Zhou Xiaochuan criticized cryptocurrency comes that leveraged on the crypto-boom to profit and fuel market speculation. He additionally noted that development of the digital currency is 'technologically inevitable'
On a regional level, several Chinese cities have square measure driving blockchain initiatives to market growth in their region. Hangzhou, laurels for being the headquarters of Alibaba, have expressed blockchain technology to be one among the city's prime priorities in 2018. The regime in Chengdu town have additionally been planned the building of associate degree incubation center to foster the adoption of blockchain technology within the city's money services.
Local conglomerates such Tencent and Alibaba have additionally fashioned partnership with blockchain companies or initiated comes on their own. Blockchain companies like VeChain have additionally secured multiple partnerships with Chinese companies to enhance provide chain transparency in China.
All clues purpose to the very fact that China is functioning towards a blockchain nation. China has invariably had a open mentality to aborning technologies like mobile payment and computing. Henceforth, it's while not a doubt that China are going to be the primary blockchain-enabled country. can we have a tendency to see the Chinese government backing down and let its voters trade again? most likely, once the market has matured and is a smaller amount volatile however positively not in 2018.