CB warns public against virtual currencies

• Says no regulatory safeguards provided which increases risks 
• Investors could be in violation of forex regulations, especially if using credit/debit cards 
• CB reiterates no license or authorisation given to any entity or company 
• Concerned of users unwittingly being exposed to large risks, funding terrorist activities  

The Central Bank yesterday warned the public against investment or dealing in virtual currencies as there are no regulatory safeguards under Sri Lankan law and as such users run significant risks including being in violation of foreign exchange regulations.   

Issuing a statement yesterday the Monetary Authority said considering the recent inquiries on virtual currency usage in the international and domestic markets, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) wishes to inform the public of the risks associated with investing in virtual currencies (VC).

“The public is warned of the significant financial, operational, legal, customer protection and security related risks posed by investments in VCs to the users as well as to the economy. The public is also informed that CBSL has not given any license or authorisation to any entity or company to operate schemes involving VCs, including cryptocurrencies, and has not authorised any ICOs, mining operations or Virtual Currency Exchanges,” it said in the statement. 

Dealing in VCs could also lead to violation of foreign exchange regulations. As VCs are traded as assets in exchanges, purchasing VCs from abroad would lead to a violation of foreign exchange regulations, as VCs are not identified as a permitted investment category in terms of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA). 

“Electronic Fund Transfer Cards (EFTCs) such as debit cards and credit cards are also not permitted to be used for payments in foreign currency related to virtual currency transactions, in terms of the foreign exchange regulations in Sri Lanka,” the statement warned.  

VCs are digital tokens created by private entities that can be obtained online through mining, Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) or through Virtual Currency Exchanges. VCs are also commonly referred to as cryptocurrencies. Popular VCs include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin. While VCs have their own value denominations such as bitcoins for Bitcoin and ethers for Ethereum, they are usually valued in VC Exchanges in currencies issued by Central Banks, e.g. dollar, Japanese Yen, etc. 

However, it is important to note that VCs are not issued by central banks and are also not generally backed by underlying assets. Therefore, their values are determined by speculation of the public on VC Exchanges.

There are no regulatory safeguards relating to the usage, investment or dealing in VCs in Sri Lanka, the Central Bank warned. Therefore, investing or using VCs in Sri Lanka poses significant risks.

These risks include users/investors having no regulatory or specific legal recourse in the event of any user or transaction related issues or disputes, high volatility of the value of the VCs, as it is dependent on speculation, exposing the investment of VCs to a risk of making large losses.

It also states there is a high likelihood of VCs being associated in financing terrorist activities and used by criminals to launder criminal proceeds.