Whither Policing Cryptocurrency in Malaysia?

Authors

  • Sonny Zulhuda Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia
  • Afifah binti Sayuti Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v25i2.342

Keywords:

cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, digital money, electronic commerce, regulations

Abstract

Cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, is a digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank. It is an emerging financial technology enabled by innovation, increasingly popular among global Internet users, and more interestingly, it challenges the existing financial and regulatory rules on the currency and payment systems of the world today. On the other side, certain cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, have been actively used as payment tools for illicit transactions. Both the “promising” and "challenging" faces of cryptocurrency trigger causes for concern for policy makers, not only from financial sector, but also legal and technological sectors. The decentralised nature of cryptocurrency creates unique problems for the government to regulate or impose any regulatory requirements. This article argues that, in order for Malaysia to remain at the forefront of financial and digital innovation, it is timely to look at the question on whether to formulate certain policy and regulatory framework on the use of cryptocurrency in Malaysian market. The answer can pave the way for Malaysian digital citizens to potentially grab the opportunities made possible by the cryptocurrency technology. For this purpose, the researchers seek to study the features of cryptocurrency and the experiences from policymakers in other jurisdictions in dealing with the matter.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Sonny Zulhuda, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia

Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Law

Afifah binti Sayuti, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia

Graduate of the Masters of Comparative Law Program

Downloads

Published

2017-12-31

How to Cite

Zulhuda, S., & Sayuti, A. binti. (2017). Whither Policing Cryptocurrency in Malaysia?. IIUM Law Journal, 25(2), 179–196. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v25i2.342