FINANCE

Crypto's Double-Edged Sword: Volatility and Tax Evasion

Sat Nov 09 2024
Nobel laureate Paul Krugman was not a fan of cryptocurrencies back in 2019. He saw their future as dim. But even he couldn't deny that cryptocurrencies are big players today. They've changed how we think about money and finance. Governments are watching closely, trying to keep up with these digital coins. One big worry is how much energy cryptocurrencies use. They need a lot of power to run, which isn't good for the environment. Plus, many people use cryptocurrencies to hide their money, making it easier to cheat on taxes. And when it comes to environmental taxes, this can be a real problem. The paper has two main goals. First, it wants to show that cryptocurrencies are risky because they're so volatile. They can go up and down in value really fast. Second, it wants to talk about how cryptocurrencies can be used to dodge taxes. This is a big deal because money from green taxes could be used for important projects. So, what should be done? The paper says we need clear rules worldwide to stop people from using cryptocurrencies to avoid taxes. That way, we can make sure we're taking care of our environment properly.

questions

    If cryptocurrencies are so volatile, why are we even calling them 'currencies'?
    How can regulators effectively monitor and regulate unbacked cryptocurrencies to ensure they don't pose a threat to financial and fiscal stability?
    Is the high energy consumption of cryptocurrencies a ploy to distract from more pressing environmental issues?

actions