Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contemporary Issues in Finance
Cryptocurrency
Submitted To:
B.K. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Submitted By:
Chandni Adwani
Roll No: 21601
MBA SEM‐VI (Evening Program)
On
1 April 2019
Table of Contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Findings............................................................................................................................................................... 6
By: Chandni Adwani (21601) Page 1
1. Introduction
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security.
A cryptocurrency is difficult to counterfeit because of this security feature.
The first block chain‐based cryptocurrency was Bitcoin, which still remains the most
popular and most valuable.
Process
The architecture of cryptocurrency involves following elements:
BLOCKCHAIN
Continuously growing list of records, called BLOCKS, which are linked and secured
using cryptography
TIME STAMPING
To avoid the need for a trusted third party to TIMESTAMP transactions added to the
block chain ledger. There are mainly two types of time stamping schemes:
(i) Proof‐of‐Work
(ii) Proof‐of‐Stake
MINING
Validation of transactions through use of specialized machines such as FPGAs and
ASICs running complex hashing algorithms like SHA‐256 and Script.
WALLET
Stores the Public & Private Keys which can be used to receive or spend the
cryptocurrency
Let’s understand the processing of cryptocurrency & block chain architecture
through following example......
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2. Implication on business
Centralized & Regulated by Decentralized & Not
2 REGULATED
Central Bank Regulated by Central Bank
Not Present &
Present & Transactions are
Transactions are
3 INTERMEDIARIES processed through
processed on Peer‐to‐
intermediaries
Peer basis
NIL or Negligible
4 TRANSACTION COST High Transaction Cost
Transaction Cost
Highly Secured since
transactions are
5 Secure Yes but to certain extent
processed through
cryptography
Government through Central Mined – Using Computing
6 Issuer
Bank System
Settlement is fast and in
Takes considerable time to
real time since no
process the transaction
7 Settlement Time intermediary is involved
through Clearing House
and takes place between
Mechanism
peer‐to‐peer
3. Pros and Cons
Reduced transaction fees
Faster payment
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Cryptocurrency transactions happen almost immediately, unlike credit card payments
that may take days to clear. As a result, one can have access to the coin payments in
minutes.
Improved customer access
With more consumers and business customers showing interest in cryptocurrency,
offering coin payment options may increase audience of buyers.
Volatility in value
Cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, which makes them attractive to investors
seeking high reward through elevated risk, but also potentially dangerous for
businesses that accept them as payment. Imagine if a customer pays in Bitcoin, and
then after the transaction the value crashes – which it has been known to do across
the hundreds of coins now used.
Lack of regulation
Cryptocurrency is still relatively new, and as a result, governments around the world
have issued limited and differing regulations. Some nations, especially the small
country of Lichtenstein, have aggressively moved to embrace and promote
cryptocurrency with financial incentives designed to build stability and regulatory
assurance for those that use and invest in coin.
But overall, a general lack of regulations, including here in the U.S, can mean
uncertainty for business that deal in cryptocurrency, including uncertainty about
what kinds of taxes and investment limitations may be imposed in the future.
Taxation and accounting challenges
Companies that accept or invest in cryptocurrency will need to make the effort to
understand the changing regulatory environment, and will also need to factor in the
tax and accounting tasks that will be required of them.
RISK OF HACKING
Due to complex and online processing, it is vulnerable to hackers leading to loss of
confidential data & its misuse
LOSS OF CONTROL
Cryptocurrency is stored in wallet and hence loss of password might lead to loss of
control over available balance
PAYMENT REVERSAL ISSUES
They operate on peer‐to‐peer basis; hence there is no possibility of reversal of
payment, in case of transfer of currency to incorrect beneficiary
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4. Findings
Cryptocurrency is an innovative technical financial instrument. They have many
advantages like low transaction cost, fast settlement, ease of access, secured
processing etc.
However, it lacks proper governance and regulation for protecting the interest of the
investor since there is decentralized processing on peer‐to‐peer basis.
They may acquire strong position in the global financial market but they can’t totally
replace the traditional currency due to various factors like economic, political etc.
working in the economy.
They may open new avenue for the international traders for managing their payments
which will reduce the risk of foreign exchange fluctuations.
Government of India has constituted Dinesh Sharma Committee to look into the
issues relating to cryptocurrency and are likely to submit their recommendation by
July, 2018.
5. References
www.en.wikipedia.org
www.coinpupil.com
www.coinmarketcap.com
www.blockgeeks.com
www.experian.com
www.currentaffairs.gktoday.in
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