Get the weekly summary of crypto market analysis, news, and forecasts! This Week’s Summary The crypto market ends the week at a total market capitalization of $2,17 trillion. Bitcoin continues to trade at around $62,300. Ethereum experiences no changes and stagnates at around $2,400. XRP is down by 2%, Solana by 1%, and Dogecoin by 3%. Almost all altcoins are trading in the red, with very few exceptions. The DeFi sector decreased the total value of protocols (TVL) to around…
Banks Tried to Kill Crypto and Now They Embrace It
Not so long ago, banks were skeptical and outright against the adoption of cryptocurrencies. However, the crypto market has had unprecedented growth in the last few years. Furthermore, it addressed the misconceptions concerning digital currencies.
In 2021, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the tables have turned. Now, banks see the crypto space in a new light. However, only recently, New York regulators wanted to gain more control over Bitcoin. Fortunately, the Wall Street executives managed to influence banks to regulate cryptocurrencies.
Embracing Cryptocurrencies: What Changed?
It was only a matter of time before banks realized that the future of finances is in the digital realm. In 2021, the Bank of America sees potential in blockchain-based applications to transform its financial services.
Through blockchain, many banks now want to improve their clients’ lives. Moreover, many banks have started to contact a wide range of cryptocurrencies. And why wouldn’t they? Cryptocurrencies continue to evolve at a rapid speed. Today, they offer more integrated features than ever.
Prominent U.S. banks and credit unions now allow clients to purchase Bitcoin. Furthermore, Northern Trust and Bank of New York directly provide custodial service to clients who hold Bitcoins. For instance, Bank of America plans to offer custom cryptocurrency custodial services for wealth managers. Lastly, the Bank of English had even remarked that crypto could destabilize its financial system.
Lost in Regulations
Before the pandemic crisis, JPMorgan had also decided to roll out a JPM Coin. This dedicated digital currency has the backing of Quorum with internal technology that mimics the blockchain infrastructure. But unlike decentralized blockchain-based Bitcoin, the bank controls Quorum.
But JPM Coin didn’t have a smooth ride. It startled regulators who found out that their digital coin interconnects with the dollar. So ultimately, JP Morgan decided to step back and reduce the scope of its Coin usage.
Today, JPM Coin does not hold any value when it comes to external transfer. However, JP Morgan customers can use the coin to convert dollars into other assets within the bank. The truth is that the widespread adoption of various cryptocurrencies caught regulators off-guard.
Governments were scrambling and struggling to make sense of cryptocurrencies. Of course, the governing rules of banks serve their purpose. However, decentralized crypto transactions can help the financial system usher in a new era of capitalism.
The New Age of Cryptocurrency
Now, the ball is in the courtyard of crypto space. However, bank lobbyists still influence regulators to impose rigid rules on crypto lenders. So, banks believe that cryptocurrency puts certain companies at an unfair advantage. Also, they see them out of the control of federal authorities or banks.
But the world is changing faster. U.S. banks have started to explore the endless possibilities of digital currencies. Fundamentally, the dollar has an inherent digital presence today. However, the American Bankers Association finds that new digital currency can severely affect the economy.
More Broadminded Approach towards Cryptocurrency
The good news is that financial advisors and progressive financial firms understand that all assets will ultimately have a digital presence in the next decade or so. So it is no wonder the banking sector now is in the race to keep up with the tide of cryptocurrency. But this has become more experimental and changed the paradigm of cryptocurrency offerings and investments.
Crypto as Alternative Financial Space
When it comes to trading crypto or using crypto, the initial skepticism around cryptocurrency no longer exists in the bank sector. And that’s because banks have started to view crypto space as an alternative in the financial realm that can modernize old school practices of the banking industry. For instance, crypto startups have begun to offer loans and credit cards.
Federal Governments and Central Banks
As more businesses and people embrace cryptocurrencies worldwide, governments and the banking sector have no choice but to make cryptocurrencies part of the financial world. Although there is a reluctance to adapt and streamline crypto in South Asian countries, government involvement leads to more acceptance of cryptocurrency. Therefore, it makes sense why many central banks worldwide have started to launch their independent cryptocurrency.
On the flip side, many top-level executives in the American banking sector are still skeptical about cryptocurrencies. Back in 2017, banks would openly call out Bitcoin “fraud” or “worthless”. But in a few years, wealth managers and CEOs want to invest in blockchain and offer cryptocurrency as a form of payment. This significant change, of course, didn’t occur overnight. It has been a long journey for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to establish a robust market presence and change the perspective of the banking sector and other financial institutions.
Cryptocurrency and Economic Independence
Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin offers economic independence. And unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum is more than just a secure mode of transaction. Each year, it looks like the use cases of popular cryptocurrencies expand. For example, although Bitcoin has supply restrictions and a volatile market, it has still mined 20+ million bitcoins.
Crypto Adoption and the Role of Central Banks
If central banks issue a digital currency, it will cut out intermediaries like retail banks. Plus, the transactions would be cryptographic and ensure there is no chance of hacking or replication. Digital currency serves as a more viable option than producing physical money and metal coins.
In 2021, you can expect central banks to start their custom central bank digital currencies or CBDCs. Nevertheless, banks are at the forefront to change the crypto landscape. In turn, they should shift the economic system for good. An overwhelming number of countries now want to launch their digital currencies. And, they wish to do it through central banks to manage better and improve their economies.
Final Thoughts
A decade ago, banks saw cryptocurrency like Bitcoin as a legitimate threat impacting the finance industry. Of course, in some financial areas, there is still doubt about the future of crypto. But for the most part, the global mass adoption of crypto has had a positive impact. Also, it managed to change the preconceived perception of the banking sector.
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