Bank of England Chief Highlights Bitcoin Inefficiency in Parliamentary Session

The latest meeting of the U.K. Parliament Treasury Committee brought digital currencies to the forefront of discussion, where Bank of England (BOE) Governor Andrew Bailey shared his perspective on Bitcoin. Despite the growing interest in digital currencies, enthusiasm during the session was tempered, with Bailey asserting that Bitcoin’s inefficiency is impeding its adoption as a mainstream payment method.

Bitcoin’s Inefficiency and Loss of Momentum

Governor Bailey, accompanied by BOE Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden, addressed the committee to discuss the BOE’s Financial Stability Report. During the session, Bailey reiterated his stance that unbacked cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, lack intrinsic value. He emphasized that Bitcoin is not gaining traction as a core financial service, attributing its waning popularity to inefficiencies in its use as a payment method.

Bailey stated,

My own sense is that it’s not taking off as what I might call a core financial service. For instance, using Bitcoin as a payments method is pretty inefficient.

This assessment underscores the challenges faced by Bitcoin in terms of scalability, transaction speed, and overall usability for day-to-day transactions.

 

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey says the integration of cryptocurrencies into the global financial system has stalled https://t.co/WKwrz9ZZiE

— Bloomberg Markets (@markets) January 10, 2024

Regulatory Framework Hindrances

Deputy Governor Breeden added to the discussion, pointing out that the absence of a robust regulatory framework has hindered the progress of cryptocurrencies in traditional finance. However, she expressed optimism about the evolving regulatory landscape, indicating that changes are underway.

Stablecoins and Regulatory Challenges

Governor Bailey also addressed stablecoins, noting that they present challenges for regulators and are deemed insufficiently stable. He described them as “opaque,” indicating a lack of transparency in their operations. The ongoing debate surrounding central bank digital currency (CBDC), colloquially referred to as “Britcoin“, was briefly touched upon. Breeden highlighted that discussions on CBDCs continue, particularly concerning issues of privacy and programmability.

Financial Stability Report Focus

The meeting centered on the BOE’s Financial Stability Report for December, which devoted limited space to digital currencies. The report indicated that policymakers are evaluating policy choices for stablecoins and CBDCs, with a focus on mitigating potential financial stability risks arising from increased withdrawals from the banking system during stressful periods.

Looking Forward

The report also mentioned that the Financial Stability Board (FSB) plans to review the implementation of its recommendations by the end of 2025. Notably, regulators in the U.K. have been actively working on stablecoin rules throughout 2023, with anticipated regulations set to come into force in 2025.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey’s remarks to the U.K. Parliament Treasury Committee shed light on the challenges facing Bitcoin and other digital currencies in their quest for widespread adoption. The discussion touched on the inefficiencies of Bitcoin, regulatory hurdles, and the evolving landscape of stablecoins and CBDCs. As the financial world continues to grapple with the complexities of digital currencies, the regulatory framework and technological advancements will play pivotal roles in shaping their future role in mainstream finance.

 

Tags: Britcoin, Bitcoin