Context:

• Recently, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) from G20 nations adopted a roadmap for regulating crypto assets proposed by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at their meeting at Marrakesh in Morocco. 

Roadmap for Crypto Regulation: Proposed by  Financial Stability Board (FSB) and IMF

• This was the  fourth and final  G20  Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the Indian presidency, with previous meetings held in Washington, Bangalore, and Gandhinagar.
• Ministers and Governors adopted the Roadmap proposed in the IMF-Financial Stability Board synthesis paper on Crypto assets.
• The IMF and the FSB created this paper at the request of the Indian G20 Presidency to synthesise policy suggestions and criteria. 
• The paper offers a comprehensive set of policy and regulatory recommendations aimed at identifying and addressing the macroeconomic and financial stability risks associated with crypto assets. 

G20 Roadmap on Crypto Assets: It is an action-oriented roadmap that will help coordinate global policy as well as develop mitigating strategies and regulations on such assets.

• Balanced Approach to Bans: The IMF and Financial Stability Board paper advocates for comprehensive oversight of crypto instead of a blanket ban.
  • It also focuses on the implications for Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs), which are anticipated to bear the brunt of the crypto market’s volatility.
• Safeguarding Monetary Sovereignty and Stability: Paper highlights the importance of preserving monetary sovereignty and stability when dealing with Virtual Digital Asset (VDA).
  • This involves not granting official currency or legal tender status to VDAs, which helps protect traditional monetary systems and national currency stability.
• Clear Tax Treatment: Unambiguous tax treatment is essential for VDAs. Clear and consistent tax policies prevent evasion and ensure that VDAs contribute fairly to national revenues.
• Monitoring the Impact on the International Monetary System (IMS): Given the global reach of VDAs, their impact on international financial stability must be monitored closely to safeguard the integrity of the IMS.

News Source: The Indian Express