Forget Bitcoin, here comes Laxmicoin!

[Free Karma]

Forget Bitcoin, here comes India's very own virtual currency Laxmicoin, ball in govt court - Financial Express

Laxmicoin, modelled as an Indian version of world's top virtual currency Bitcoin, has sought clarifications from regulatory authorities before its launch that has already been delayed.
There are already close to 70 virtual currencies available across the world with total market valuation of about USD 15 billion (about Rs 90,000 crore), out of which Bitcoin is the biggest with close to USD 10 billion value.
The promoters of Laxmicoin, whose name is inspired by Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, have been preparing to launch it as India's first virtual currency for many weeks.
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However, RBI's warning against use of bitcoin and action initiated by Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department among other authorities against some bitcoin operators in India seems to have come into the way of Laxmicoin launch, industry players said.
A number of bitcoin operators in India have already begun suspending their business following RBI's warning last month against use of such virtual currencies due to potential money laundering and cyber security concerns.
According to posts on Laxmicoin's Twitter page, its launch has been delayed due to "regulatory clarifications" and they hope to have clear guidelines from government soon.
They further said that they have written to authorities and are waiting for their replies to avoid any "problems".
Another post said that they are "making good progress" and were in advanced level discussions with investors, while the launch would happen immediately after RBI's response.
Another industry player said that RBI's advisory came at a time when the virtual currency business was picking up pace in India.
"Laxmicoin hasn't heard from the central bank as yet. It is quite impossible to imagine the RBI will give a no-objection to any virtual currency promoter now," he said.
Various operators are expecting clear regulatory clarifications that virtual currencies are not illegal per se but experts say such hopes are futile given that virtual currencies are saddled with number of significant risks at the moment.

There have been regular reports of cyber criminals hacking and stealing virtual currencies across the world. On top of that, different virtual currencies continue to pop up almost everyday exposing users to unintended risks and also losses arising out of scams perpetrated by cyber criminals looking to make a quick buck, cyber security experts say.
While four-year old bitcoin shot to prominence with its per unit value soaring past USD 1,200 level recently, the heavy interest in such cryptocurrencies has led emergence of namesakes like Litecoin, Mastercoin and Dogecoin.
After a fall to close to USD 700 recently, the value of bitcoins has again regained USD 1,000 level (about Rs 63,000). However, total value of bitcoin and other such virtual currency trades in India is estimated to be worth only a few crores as of now, although NRIs living abroad are expected to be dealing with bitcoins in a big way.
Bitcoin can be generated through complex computer software systems with solutions shared on a network. The process is complex and such 'mining' can be done only on very powerful servers.
The proliferation of new currencies is being linked to the complexities involved in the way bitcoin is `mined'. The newer avataars are much easier to create, word-of-mouth publicity and a rush of speculation.
Bitcoins Alliance India (BAI), a community of Bitcoin entrepreneurs, said it welcomed the RBI warning about the risks surrounding the purchase, sale or use of Bitcoins. BAI has appointed Nishith Desai Associates, an international Legal and Tax Counsellors, to examine the legality of Bitcoins.
There are an estimated 30,000 bitcoin holders in the country, currently in possession of 1 per cent of around 12 million bitcoins in circulation across the globe.
"We're seeing is a transition from global exchanges to local, country-specific exchanges as the global demand for Bitcoin rises. Many countries now have enough demand from their own citizens for a local, country-specific exchange to be hugely successful," said Jinyoung Lee Englund, Director of Public Affairs, Bitcoin Foundation.

Watch it get rejected on the basis of Psecularism by congress stooges!

 

[Menhit]

Popularity of these kind of virtual currencies is one of the indicators of failing global economy system. Whatever that future holds is definitely not good, a really bloody and gloomy future.

 

[Sakal Gharelu Ustad]

Popularity of these kind of virtual currencies is one of the indicator of failing global economy system. Whatever that future holds is definitely not good, a really bloody and gloomy future.

It is an indicator of democratization of currency market and need of currency for shady operations.

If every country had acted like India, there would be no virtual currency.

 

[Menhit]

It is an indicator of democratization of currency market and need of currency for shady operations.

If every country had acted like India, there would be no virtual currency.

Nopes, it is not democratization of currency, it is giving power of currency to wrong hands which means governments all over the world can lose direct control over currencies in future that could be chaotic.

 

[Sakal Gharelu Ustad]

Nopes, it is not democratization of currency, it is giving power of currency to wrong hands which means governments all over the world can lose direct control over currencies in future that could be chaotic.

Which goes with the presumption that governments provides the best safeguards for our interests. Ask people in Zimbabwe.

 

[Twinblade]

Bitcoin has good encryption and security. All these new currencies don't. They are gonna fold. It has become a loss making venture to mine bitcoin today ever since companies launched bitcoin mining cards.