Today, we are going to discuss Top 10 Myths about cryptocurrencies: I had mentioned some most-common myths. hope your myths got clear & you got some help from this also.
Myths about Cryptocurrencies:
1.Cryptocurrency Is Not Taxed
Yes, there is no central authority involved and there are no banks involved. But this does not rule out that the digital currency evades being taxed. It is just any other transaction and you are taxed whenever you sell it or whenever someone pays you in cryptocurrency.
In India, when you trade in cryptocurrencies and make a profit, and if that profit exceeds 10 lakh rupees, you have to pay 30 per cent of the profit. This is for short-term gains where there is no minimum time period for holding the investment.
For a long-term gain, where your investment needs to hold for at least two years, you will be taxed 20 per cent on the profit.
2.Cryptocurrency Doesn’t Have Any Real Money Value To Them
This is perhaps the biggest myth about cryptocurrencies since there is no material asset that is backing them. However, the people who trade in cryptocurrencies believe in their inherent value of it, which has been supporting the system since 2008.
As long as there are people who believe in and understand the value of cryptocurrencies, they are here to stay.
3.They Are Illegal Forms of Digital Money
Although the currency has been banned in countries like Bolivia, Russia, Algeria, Ecuador and Trinidad; EU nations, G7 nations, and the USA have made cryptocurrency a legal tender.
India’s previous Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley pointed out in the Budget 2018-19 that Blockchain technology will be explored to promote digital and safe transactions. The transactions in cryptocurrency are not banned in India and are thriving.
4.Cryptocurrencies Are Used For Criminal And Illicit Purposes
While one incident of the Silk Road Raid in 2013 revealed the use of millions of dollars in Bitcoin for human and drug trafficking, cryptocurrency is yet to be regulated. Yes, some criminal cases record the use of cryptocurrency to get money, however, India has mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures in place for trading in cryptocurrencies to reduce the chance of any unlawful use of digital money.
5.Cryptocurrencies Are Easy To Hack
Using a platform to trade in cryptocurrencies is just like any other platform for trading. Upping the security on wallets where trading in cryptocurrency is facilitated is the only way to secure your wallet and enable safe transactions.
6.There Is Only One Huge Blockchain In Place
There is absolutely not. There are many blockchains. Blockchain is just a technology that caters to different problems- they may be public or private versions of blockchain, the source may be open or closed, etc.
While one type of blockchain might back Bitcoin, others might support other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Ripple, etc.
7.Blockchain Is A Cloud-like Database
What is important to remember is that blockchain is just like a ledger- it only keeps a record of the transactions. In its entirety, this is the ledger that is backing cryptocurrencies and ensures that transactions are safe, not repetitive and transparent.
Blockchain cannot store any ‘files’. It only contains a code for the transaction that took place.
8.Cryptocurrencies Are Not Accepted As a Form of Payment
Cryptocurrencies came in 2008. Slowly and steadily, their virtue has been realized by people who are investing in it. Big companies like Microsoft, Fiverr, Dell and Expedia have started to accept Bitcoin. However, while buying cryptocurrencies is not illegal, cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender in India. This means, that it is not allowed as a payment option in India.
9.Cryptocurrencies And Its Transactions Are Untraceable & Anonymous
The blockchain, a public ledger maintains a record of everything. There exists anonymity, but in extreme cases, identifying users and their details is not a difficult task.
Just like any other platform, there is user anonymity, but it’s not absolute.
10.Blockchains Have No Business Use
The fact that ex-Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley quoted the need to explore blockchain to promote digital transactions says a lot about its sanctity.
In fact, they might be the next big thing in the investment sector. Japan has already legitimized them and has set a self-regulatory body as well.
Blockchains are the perfect database- they store information, keep it secure, permanently store records and transactions are traceable and cannot be easily hacked.
