Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Business
Leigh Thomas

Bitcoin isn't a currency or even a cryptocurrency, says France's central bank governor

Bitcoin is a speculative asset and people who invest in it do so at their own risk, the Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau warned on Friday after recent volatile trading.

“We need to be clear: bitcoin is in no way a currency, or even a cryptocurrency,” Villeroy said in remarks made at a conference in Beijing, according to the Bank of France.

“It is a speculative asset. Its value and extreme volatility have no economic basis, and they are nobody’s responsibility. The Bank of France reminds those investing in bitcoin that they do so entirely at their own risk,” he added.

Bitcoin hovered around $9,600 in volatile trade on Friday, after tumbling about 15 per cent from an all-time high hit this week as some money managers warned ominously of a bubble and further falls.

Reuters

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.