Bitcoin must charm regulators, says professor

A British business school professor believes Bitcoin needs to go on a charm offensive to win over worried national regulators.

Professor of Practice at Warwick Business School Jon Rushman said Bitcoin could have a permanent role amongst world currencies but only if it wins over regulators.

Rushman told HedgeWeek:

“Bitcoin needs to work harder on explaining its philosophy and on regulation, they need to do a bit of a charm offensive with the regulators and make them comfortable with it while being true to their principles.”

The prof, a former MD at BlackRock, said it was possible to imagine Bitcoin, or something similar, having a place in the future.

Channelling John Lennon, Rushman said: "Imagine a world where foreign exchange doesn't exist, monetary policy doesn't exist, and there is no inflation. Society would be free to use all the talent currently directed to these issues elsewhere." He said governments would continue to raise taxes and borrow, but without "uncertainty as to the unit of account.".

Rushman said that although Bitcoin was tainted with criminal associations: "it is hard to find evidence that it is used any more than any other currency.".

Rushman's thoughts are here.