Financial firms and governments see cryptocurrencies as a risk, new study shows

The findings lay bare the depth of scepticism towards the emerging tech

Bitcoin fell 1.8 per cent on Thursday to about $10,500 after the announcement that BitMEX's founders had been charge with failing to prevent money laundering on the cryptocurrency asset exchange. BlooShow more

Financial firms and governments overwhelmingly see cryptocurrencies as risky, a major survey found, with the potential for bitcoin and other digital tokens for use in money laundering and sanctions busting among the chief worries.

Around 60 per cent of respondents from financial firms, government and the private sector alike to the survey by the Royal United Services Institute think-tank and the Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists said cryptocurrencies were a risk rather than an opportunity. Illicit usage was the major concern.

The findings, one of the most detailed efforts yet to map out mainstream global views towards cryptocurrencies, lay bare the depth of scepticism towards the emerging tech.

They suggest an uphill struggle for the crypto industry to achieve wider acceptance, even as countries across the world grapple with how to regulate cryptocurrencies. The European Union will introduce new rules for some cryptocurrencies by 2024, documents showed last week.

The perception of criminal use of cryptocurrencies is deep-rooted, the survey found. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents from financial firms said they were worried about crypto being used to launder money. Over 80 per cent were worried about sanctioned actors using digital coins to circumvent the formal financial system.

"All respondents accept that cryptocurrencies are vulnerable to criminals," the survey's authors said.

The extent to which crypto is used for crime is unclear, with past research by major blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis this year putting the rate as low as 1 per cent of all transactions.

Still, digital currencies are popular with cyber-criminals, as the July hack of major Twitter users to reap bitcoin shows.

Only a fifth of respondents from financial and other private firms said they viewed digital coins as an opportunity, the research found. Among the potential benefits cited was the possibility crypto could extend access to financial services.

The survey was based on over 550 responses from financial institutions, law enforcement and financial watchdogs, and legal and insurance firms. It also tapped the cryptocurrency industry.