China, the world’s second-largest economy and one of the most influential players in the global cryptocurrency market, has recently announced a series of new laws and regulations that aim to crack down on the use and trade of cryptocurrencies in the country. These new laws, which came into effect in September 2021, have sent shockwaves across the crypto world, as they pose significant challenges and risks for both crypto investors and businesses. In this article, we will explain what China’s new cryptocurrency laws are, why they were introduced, and how they affect the crypto world.

What are China’s new cryptocurrency laws?

China’s new cryptocurrency laws are a set of rules and measures that prohibit and penalize any activities related to cryptocurrencies in the country. These include:

Banning all cryptocurrency transactions: The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the central bank of China, has declared that all cryptocurrency transactions, including buying, selling, trading, and exchanging, are illegal and will be subject to severe punishment. This means that any individuals or entities that engage in cryptocurrency transactions, either directly or indirectly, will face legal consequences, such as fines, confiscation of assets, or even criminal prosecution.
Banning all cryptocurrency-related services: The PBOC has also ordered that all financial institutions, payment platforms, and internet companies must stop providing any services related to cryptocurrencies, such as account opening, registration, trading, clearing, settlement, and custody. This means that any platforms or apps that facilitate or enable cryptocurrency transactions, such as exchanges, wallets, or peer-to-peer networks, will be shut down or blocked in China.
Banning all cryptocurrency mining: The PBOC has also banned all cryptocurrency mining activities in China, which involve using computers to solve complex mathematical problems and generate new units of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. This means that any individuals or entities that operate or host cryptocurrency mining facilities, such as farms, rigs, or servers, will be subject to investigation and closure.

Why did China introduce these new laws?

China’s new cryptocurrency laws are part of the country’s broader efforts to maintain financial stability, prevent financial risks, and protect the interests of the public. According to the PBOC, cryptocurrencies pose serious threats to China’s financial system, as they are highly volatile, speculative, and unregulated, and can be used for illegal activities, such as money laundering, terrorism financing, fraud, and tax evasion. The PBOC also argues that cryptocurrencies undermine the authority and sovereignty of the Chinese currency, the renminbi, which is the only legal tender in China.

However, some analysts and experts suggest that there are other motives behind China’s cryptocurrency crackdown, such as:

Combating capital flight: China has strict capital controls that limit the amount of money that can be transferred out of the country, in order to prevent the depletion of its foreign exchange reserves and the depreciation of its currency. However, some wealthy and savvy Chinese citizens have been using cryptocurrencies as a way to circumvent these controls and move their money abroad, especially amid the trade war and the pandemic. By banning cryptocurrencies, China hopes to curb this outflow of capital and preserve its economic and political stability.
Promoting its own digital currency: China has been developing and testing its own digital currency, the digital yuan, which is a state-backed and centralized version of a cryptocurrency that can be used for online and offline payments. By banning cryptocurrencies, China aims to eliminate the competition and create a monopoly for its own digital currency, which can give it more control and influence over its economy and society.

How do these new laws affect the crypto world?

China’s new cryptocurrency laws have had a significant impact on the crypto world, both within and outside China. Some of the effects include:

A drop in the crypto market: China’s cryptocurrency ban has caused a sharp decline in the prices and volumes of cryptocurrencies, as China was one of the largest and most active markets for crypto trading and mining. According to CoinMarketCap, the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies dropped by more than 10% in the week following the announcement of the ban, from $2.2 trillion to $1.9 trillion.
A migration of crypto activities: China’s cryptocurrency ban has also forced many crypto investors and businesses to relocate or shift their activities to other countries or regions that are more crypto-friendly, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Europe, or the US. According to Cambridge University, the share of global Bitcoin mining power that came from China dropped from 75% in September 2020 to 46% in April 2021, before the ban was fully implemented.
A challenge for crypto innovation: China’s cryptocurrency ban has also posed a challenge for the innovation and development of the crypto industry, as China was one of the leading hubs for crypto research and talent. According to the Global Crypto Innovation Index, China ranked second in the world in terms of crypto innovation potential, behind only the US.

China, the world’s second-largest economy and one of the most influential players in the global cryptocurrency market, has recently announced a series of new laws and regulations that aim to crack down on the use and trade of cryptocurrencies in the country. These new laws, which came into effect in September 2021, have sent shockwaves across the crypto world, as they pose significant challenges and risks for both crypto investors and businesses. In this article, we have explained what China’s new cryptocurrency laws are, why they were introduced, and how they affect the crypto world. We hope that this article will help you to understand and navigate the changing landscape of the crypto world.