Bitcoin and Forms of Money: Theoretical Issues

Abstract

The paper considers the question that has gained relevance in the last decade: whether the cryptocurrency bitcoin is money. The economic literature provides different opinions on this issue. The analysis shows that disagreements arise because of the different understanding of the category of ‘money’ rather than because of the nature of bitcoin. The author analyzes popular interpretations of money in terms of their applicability to the definition of the role and place of cryptocurrencies in the financial system. The purpose of this study is to define money as a financial instrument that linksthe creation of gross social product with its distribution. The author believes that money emerged and exists as a tool that ensures a connection between the contribution of each economic entity to the total product of society and the right to receive an equivalent amount of goods from this gross product. At the same time, the author defines money as an ‘ideal right’ to receive a share of the gross social product. In this regard, the analysis of bitcoin shows that this cryptocurrency allows obtaining goods from the gross social product in many countries, while bitcoin owners do not contribute to the gross social product. Based on this, bitcoin cannot be considered money; it is a money substitute, or surrogate money. At the same time, bitcoin was created as money and performs the functions of money, but to a limited extent. Bitcoin can only perform the functions of money as a supplement to an existing official currency. It is not capable of functioning as the only currency in a society. The interpretation proposed in this paper can be used for the purposes of developing the Russian law on cryptocurrencies is currently being worked on by the Government and the Central Bank of Russia.

Keywords

• money
• theories of money
• paper money
• electronic money
• cryptocurrency
• bitcoin