Press Release: Virtual currencies: what are the risks and benefits?

The European Parliament's economic committee held a hearing on 25 January 2016 regarding virtual currencies, their risks, benfits and opportunities.

Experts heard by the members of the committee defended that any regulation from the European Union on the issue should not go beyond preventing and fighting crime.

The committe presented a report on the matter in April 2016. A non-binding resolution based on it was approved by the parliament's plenary session on 26 May.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Bitcoin. Market, economics and regulation http://www.europeansources.info/record/bitcoin-market-economics-and-regulation/

ESO: Background information: Paris puts Bitcoin on EU agenda http://www.europeansources.info/record/paris-puts-bitcoin-on-eu-agenda/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 26.05.16: MEPs call for virtual currency watchdog to combat money laundering and terrorism http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160524IPR28821/

EurActiv, 08.06.16: National Front calls for ban on Bitcoin http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/national-front-calls-for-ban-on-bitcoin/

---