UK lawmakers open inquiry into NFT regulation — ‘there are fears that the bubble might burst’

Deal Score0
Deal Score0

Members of the UK’s Digital, Tradition, Media and Sport Committee have opened an inquiry to listen to from the general public on the potential advantages and dangers of nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, and blockchain on the nation’s economic system.

In a Nov. 4 announcement, the DCMS committee said its inquiry was associated to the sudden development of the NFT market, responding to fears the belongings could also be overvalued and prone to the bubble bursting. Based on the committee, NFT regulation within the U.Okay. is “largely non-existent,” with the DCMS planning to evaluate the belongings forward of a overview by the treasury division.

“NFTs swept by means of the digital world so quick that we had no time to cease and think about,” mentioned committee chair Julian Knight. “Now that the market is veering wildly, and there are fears that the bubble might burst, we have to perceive the dangers, advantages, and regulatory necessities of this groundbreaking expertise.”

The lawmaker added:

“Our inquiry will examine whether or not higher regulation is required to guard these customers and wider markets from risky investments. This inquiry will even assist Parliament perceive the alternatives offered by an thrilling new expertise which might democratise how belongings are purchased and offered.”

Citing examples together with the NFT of Jack Dorsey’s first tweet, the committee inspired customers to submit proof earlier than its deadline of Jan. 6 for an evaluation of each the advantages and dangers of the expertise on the economic system. DCMS famous that world NFT gross sales had been roughly $17 billion on the finish of 2021, however fell by greater than 90% from August 2021 to March 2022.

Associated: The UK cannot afford to send mixed messages on crypto

The U.Okay. authorities has additionally moved ahead on its Monetary Companies and Markets Invoice, which aimed to broaden the country’s regulatory framework on stablecoins. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, although in workplace lower than two weeks, beforehand expressed support for the creation of a Royal Mint NFT and the U.Okay. establishing a central financial institution digital forex.