Venezuela is days away from launching its own cryptocurrency, and Israel is considering making a similar move.
But one expert says that a digital coin for a country, controlled by a single government rather than decentralized like Bitcoin and others, doesn’t truly capture the essence of crypto.
“It’s like taking a magazine and saying, ‘Well now it’s digital.’ But you really just converted the magazine to a website,” said Shaun Newsum, founder of ICO Watchdog.
“What it will effect though, is people that are mining. Miners will probably have to be ‘approved miners.’ That would be regulated. And also exchanges. They will probably ban all exchanges unless you’re using the central exchanges that they approve.”
Venezuela’s *petro* will be backed by 5.3 billion barrels of oil, worth about $267 billion. The government hasn’t provided any technical details, but officials hope the coin can be used to pay off debt and offset losses in its main currency, the bolivar.
Israel, meanwhile, hasn’t made any specific plans for its own digital currency, though the central bank is reportedly exploring options as it tries to reduce the amount of cash in its financial system.
For the full segment [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/keeping-cryptocurrencies-accountable).
U.S. sports betting is booming as NFL and college football fuel massive activity. BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt breaks down trends, growth, and what’s next.
With a merger this big, creators, studios, and theaters all face uncertain futures. Here’s what experts are worried about and what good could come from it.
With disengagement rising and hybrid work shifting, 'Everybody Matters' author Bob Chapman explains why treating people well could define the future of work.
We sat down with Ali Furman, U.S. Consumer Markets Industry Leader at consulting firm PwC to ask what trends she garnered from the initial data this year.
