The European Union's banking watchdog on Friday issued a warning over virtual currency trading amid huge swings in the value of Bitcoin, a lack of regulation and money laundering risks.
"The European Banking Authority (EBA) is issuing this warning to highlight the possible risks you may face when buying, holding or trading virtual currencies such as Bitcoin," a statement said.
The EBA added: "We recommend that, if you buy virtual currencies, you should be fully aware and understand their specific characteristics.
Bitcoin has become a global phenomenon, with the price rising so much that a Norwegian man was able to buy an apartment with some of the 5,000 Bitcoins he bought for just $24 in 2009.
The explosive growth has raised alarm bells, with analysts warning of a potential crash due to a lack of fundamental underpinning.
The EBA urged users to "exercise the same caution with your digital wallet as you would do with your conventional wallet or purse."
The watchdog said people should not keep large amounts of money in their digital wallet for an extended period.
The warning comes as Chinese speculators have seen Bitcoin values plunge, soar and plunge again within days.
China is the world's biggest market for trading Bitcoins, but around $5.0 billion was wiped off the value of the currency's global stock within an hour of an announcement from Beijing's central bank in early December, banning financial institutions from dealing in it.
Bitcoin was invented in the wake of the global financial crisis by a computer scientist using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It is based on cryptography and only 21 million units can ever be created, which can be stored either virtually or on a user's hard drive.
It offers a largely anonymous payment system with no centralised structure and transactions are publicly logged in what is known as the "block chain".
AFP
Fri Dec 13 2013
![EU bank watchdog warns over Bitcoin EU bank watchdog warns over Bitcoin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-12/81386932339_295x200.jpg)
![Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723691432_NidzaAfham.jpg)
Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam
Solat jenazah akan diadakan di Masjid Puncak Alam sebelum dikebumikan di Tapak Perkuburan Felda Bukit Cherakah selepas solat Zohor hari ini.
![Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723690075_ibumeninggalduni.jpg)
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
![Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688922_bolatamparsukma.jpg)
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41705320699_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok
Pada 8 pagi, ringgit meningkat sedikit kepada 4.4150/4250 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.4170/4235 ketika ditutup pada Rabu.
#AWANIRingkas 15 Ogos 2024 | 9 AM
Berikut merupakan rangkuman berita setakat 9 pagi, 15 Ogos 2024
1️⃣ TPM wakili Malaysia di EMM di Peru
2️⃣ Misteri kehilangan Nidza Afham
3️⃣ Rundingan gencatan Gaza di Qatar hari ini
#awaniringkas
1️⃣ TPM wakili Malaysia di EMM di Peru
2️⃣ Misteri kehilangan Nidza Afham
3️⃣ Rundingan gencatan Gaza di Qatar hari ini
#awaniringkas
![Imigresen tumpaskan sindiket Bitcoin didalangi warga China tanpa dokumen Imigresen tumpaskan sindiket Bitcoin didalangi warga China tanpa dokumen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/81705759692_sindiketBitcoin.jpg)
Imigresen tumpaskan sindiket Bitcoin didalangi warga China tanpa dokumen
Jabatan Imigresen telah menumpaskan sindiket aktiviti perlombongan wang digital (Bitcoin) yang didalangi dua lelaki warga China dalam satu Operasi Khas yang dijalankan pada 19 Jan (semalam) di kawasan
![Mata wang kripto: Bank di AS terima amaran daripada agensi monetari negara Mata wang kripto: Bank di AS terima amaran daripada agensi monetari negara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/61658468973_BITCOIN.jpg)
Mata wang kripto: Bank di AS terima amaran daripada agensi monetari negara
Bank di Amerika Syarikat (AS) menerima amaran pertama daripada agensi monetari negara mengenai risiko penularan berkaitan mata wang kripto yang telah bertukar daripada perdagangan sangat menarik lebih
![Curi elektrik oleh pelombong Bitcoin meningkat lebih 400%, kata TNB Curi elektrik oleh pelombong Bitcoin meningkat lebih 400%, kata TNB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/41649030756_mencurielektrik.jpg)
Curi elektrik oleh pelombong Bitcoin meningkat lebih 400%, kata TNB
Rekod menunjukkan sejumlah 7,209 kes dikesan sepanjang empat tahun telah menyebabkan kehilangan lebih 4.5 bilion kilowatt jam.
![Bursa AS tinggi, Dow Jones cecah paras rekod Bursa AS tinggi, Dow Jones cecah paras rekod](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/61580344181_TBDowJones.jpg)
Bursa AS tinggi, Dow Jones cecah paras rekod
Saham di Wall Street mencatat peningkatan selari dengan saham global susulan peningkatan vaksinasi dan jangkaan Pelan Rangsangan Amerika semakin hampir diluluskan.
![Bursa global naik, optimis peningkatan vaksinasi Bursa global naik, optimis peningkatan vaksinasi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2018-03/71520947311_stock.jpg)
Bursa global naik, optimis peningkatan vaksinasi
Peningkatan disokong sikap optimis susulan pelaksanaan lebih banyak program imunisasi COVID-19 dan harapan pelan rangsangan baru di Amerika.
![Polis serbu lapan premis 'melombong' Bitcoin di Seri Kembangan Polis serbu lapan premis 'melombong' Bitcoin di Seri Kembangan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81612476100_TBBitCoin.jpg)
Polis serbu lapan premis 'melombong' Bitcoin di Seri Kembangan
Bunyi bising dan pelik serta bayangan jingga membawa kepada penemuan bilik kedap bunyi yang dijadikan markas perlombongan haram Bitcoin atau wang kripto.
![Pelaburan Bitcoin: Dua didakwa tipu tiga wanita RM150,000 Pelaburan Bitcoin: Dua didakwa tipu tiga wanita RM150,000](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/51612236217_kespelaburanBitcoi.jpg)
Pelaburan Bitcoin: Dua didakwa tipu tiga wanita RM150,000
Redzuan Ismail dan Adan Ibrahim mengaku tidak bersalah selepas kesemua pertuduhan terhadap mereka dibacakan di hadapan Majistret Noor Azreen Liana Mohd Darus.
![Lebih 10 akaun Twitter individu, organisasi terkemuka digodam Lebih 10 akaun Twitter individu, organisasi terkemuka digodam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-12/51451559256_TWITTER.jpg)
Lebih 10 akaun Twitter individu, organisasi terkemuka digodam
Jumlah akaun yang terbabit dalam godaman ini menjadikan ia insiden security breach terbesar dalam sejarah Twitter.
![Kegiatan curi bekalan elektrik premis bitcoin masih berleluasa? Kegiatan curi bekalan elektrik premis bitcoin masih berleluasa?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/61594197506_BitcoinTNB.jpg)
Kegiatan curi bekalan elektrik premis bitcoin masih berleluasa?
Sebanyak 10 premis bitcoin diserbu di One Kesas, Klang setelah dikesan melakukan kegiatan mencuri bekalan elektrik secara haram sehingga menyebabkan kerugian puluhan ribu ringgit.
![Lebih banyak platform pertukaran mata wang kripto dijangka dibenarkan untuk beroperasi Lebih banyak platform pertukaran mata wang kripto dijangka dibenarkan untuk beroperasi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-11/71574750468_TBLUNA.jpg)
Lebih banyak platform pertukaran mata wang kripto dijangka dibenarkan untuk beroperasi
Luno merupakan platform pertukaran mata wang kripto pertama yang mendapat kelulusan penuh untuk beroperasi di Malaysia.