Virtual Currencies Draw Fresh Regulator Scrutiny

The growing popularity of virtual currencies in online transactions is forcing the government to turn its attention to regulating a new breed of digital money. But the Government Accountability Office said agencies still need to pay more attention to consumer protection.

Virtual currencies, such as bitcoin, use digital wallets and peer-to-peer Internet connectivity, rather than bank accounts and traditional wire transfer networks, which puts them largely outside the view of law enforcement and beyond the scope of current regulation.

"While these virtual currency systems offer some benefits, they also pose risks," the GAO said in a recent report.

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William Jackson is writer with the <a href="https://www.techwritersbureau.com" target="_blank">Tech Writers Bureau</A>, with more than 35 years' experience reporting for daily, business and technical publications, including two decades covering information ... View Full Bio