4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
In Regulating the Future of Finance and Money, Braeden Anderson addresses the challenges facing cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. He notes that this new asset class has created unique problems that are difficult to solve within the purview of the current US regulatory system. Hence, he provides recommendations that will help regulators to find their footing within the crypto ecosystem.
I like that besides its benefits, the author also analyzed the downside of cryptocurrency. On this, he explores how fraudsters, money launderers, and tax evaders could use the technology to their advantage and stay ahead of law enforcement. That gap, however, can be bridged when enforcers work around the technology because it isn't the problem. The author raises a pertinent issue on the outdated method of investigating financial crimes, which needs to be updated to stay in tune with the evolving cryptocurrency market. He also advises readers to proceed with caution when investing in ICOs, especially those that promise abnormally high returns within a short period.
I was intrigued to learn that several agencies are regulating the cryptocurrency market, each using a different approach. That in itself invites chaos because I doubted that the parties would come to a consensus. The author outlined the debate on whether to classify cryptocurrency as a security or commodity and backed it with arguments from various stakeholders. This bit was enlightening, and every reader who owns or intends to develop cryptocurrency will benefit from this information.
I was pleased with the multiple examples included in the book, as they made the text more relatable. My favorite were those of rogue ICOs charged with securities laws violations, as they made me appreciate the work of the SEC. This section also prompted me to look up these organizations since I hadn't heard of most of them. The author pointed out that these cases represent what ICO developers should refrain from if they want to succeed. Sprinkled throughout the text are quotes from industry players like politicians and bank executives, which were eye-opening and show that some of them have had a shift in mindset over the years.
Overall, this was an absorbing read, although its content is quite substantial. It requires careful reading to stitch the ideas and maintain the flow. I spotted two spelling errors which were easy to overlook, and that points to sound editing. The book itself is short, and the only problem I encountered is that pages of the same section were written in different colors. That, however, wasn't overly distracting, so the book still scoops a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend this book to finance professionals, ICO developers, lawyers, and anyone who wants to invest in cryptocurrency.
******
The Future of Finance and Money
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon