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Soros Calls Cryptocurrencies 'Typical Bubble' Based on Misunderstanding

© AP Photo / Kevin WolfSoros Fund Management Chairman George Soros testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington (File)
Soros Fund Management Chairman George Soros testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington (File) - Sputnik International
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DAVOS (Sputnik) - Renowned investor George Soros on Thursday called cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, a speculation that is based on misunderstanding, during an informal dinner on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

"Cryptocurrencies are a typical bubble, which is always based on some kind of misunderstanding. Bitcoin is not a currency, because a currency is supposed to be a stable store of value, and the currency that can fluctuate 25 percent in day cannot be used, for instance, to pay wages, because wages could drop by 25 percent in a day. So it's a speculation, it's based on misunderstanding," Soros said in Davos, Switzerland.

The value of bitcoin, a pioneer in the cryptocurrencies market, surged in 2017, jumping up to about $20,000 in December amid debates on its reliability as an investment, but then tumbled below $10,000 last week.

READ MORE: George Soros Brands Trump 'A Danger to the World' at Davos, Sets Twitter Afire

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Cryptocurrencies, or digital currencies, have no material form. An unlimited number of anonymous sources can issue and use such currencies. Central banks worldwide have treated the phenomenon with caution, although some have started exploring the possibilities it offers and even developing their own cryptocurrency.

Recently, Venezuela launched its own state cryptocurrency, which, as the country's president Nicolas Maduro says, is backed by oil. Also, the Bank of England could give approval on the introduction of a national cryptocurrency in 2018. The body reportedly established a special research unit years ago, in order to study the issue of introduction of a pound-linked cryptocurrency.

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