- Bitcoin is another version of fiat money with a new exchange mechanism.
- Cryptocurrencies cannot be regared as a new type of money.
Bitcoin is not a new type of currency, but rather a new echange mechanism that can support different forms of money and other types of assets, according to economists at the New York office of the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Michael Lee and Antoine Martin wrote in the post on the official website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York:
Bitcoin, and more generally, cryptocurrencies, are often described as a new type of money. In this post, we argue that this is a misconception. Bitcoin may be money, but it is not a new type of money.
They classsified money as fiat, asset-backed and rights-backed.
Fiat money corresponds to intrinsically worthless objects that have value based on the belief that they will be accepted in exchange for valued goods and services. A typical example is currency.
However, the experts believe that the money issued by central banks hve legal status and thus cannot be considered fiat, while Bitcoin perfectly matches the definition just as Rai Stones. At the same time, the analysts admit that the cryptographic technology is an important feature od digital monetary instruments, which makes them stand out.
The real innovation of cryptocurrencies is that they offer a radically new exchange mechanism. This type of exchange mechanism can support the transfer of different kinds of monies; fiat money in the case of bitcoin, money backed by assets in the case of stablecoins, and even future services or products, as in the case of ICO tokens.
Meanwhile, at the time of writing, BTC/USD is changing hands at $9,300, mostly unchanged in the recent 24 hours. The coin has been sidelined for the best part of the week.
Note: All information on this page is subject to change. The use of this website constitutes acceptance of our user agreement. Please read our privacy policy and legal disclaimer. Opinions expressed at FXstreet.com are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of FXstreet.com or its management. Risk Disclosure: Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to invest in foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks

Dogecoin bulls defend lifeline support as risk-off sentiment continues
Dogecoin price stays below three major daily moving averages after Elon Musk severed perceived ties to D.O.G.E., the agency. Uncertainty in global markets over Trump’s tariff war heightens risk-off sentiment.

Bitcoin recovers as dominance increases, signaling a shift amid market stress
Bitcoin price recovers slightly, trading above $84,000 on Tuesday after falling 4.29% the previous week. Crypto Finance reports that Bitcoin’s dominance rose to 61.4%, reflecting a shift toward BTC as a resilient asset amid market stress.

Solana Policy Institute launch to shape policies for decentralized networks
Solana Policy Institute aims to educate policymakers on decentralized networks like Solana. SPI plans to unite Solana's ecosystem voices to demonstrate the technology's economic and social benefits amid debates over its decentralization and reliability.

Tether adds to Bitcoin reserves with over $735 million withdrawals from the Bitfinex hot wallet
Arkham intelligence data shows that Tether added 8,888 BTC worth $735 million from the Bitfinex hot wallet. The address currently holds 92,000 BTC, worth $7.65 billion, and is also the sixth-ranked BTC wallet address.

Bitcoin: BTC remains calm before a storm
Bitcoin's price has been consolidating between $85,000 and $88,000 this week. A K33 report explains how the markets are relatively calm and shaping up for volatility as traders absorb the tariff announcements. PlanB’s S2F model shows that Bitcoin looks extremely undervalued compared to Gold and the housing market.

The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.