Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally

Discover how to dip your toe into the cryptocurrency investing pool without getting burned

In Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally, international finance and fintech expert Selva Ozelli delivers an eye-opening and insightful discussion of cryptocurrency investment, as well as the risks and opportunities that await those who deal in this promising new technology. In the book, the author explores how cryptocurrencies have been used by illicit operators throughout the US and the world and how legitimate investors have sought to limit their exposure to illegal activity.

Readers will also find comprehensive treatments of US-based and global cryptocurrency regulations, as well as:

• Advice for investors concerned about the environmental sustainability of blockchain technology but who still wish to invest in cryptocurrencies
• Information about a variety of countries and governments who have explored and implemented various cryptocurrency initiatives inside their own borders
• Discussions surrounding the drive by many central banks to introduce a digital currency, in addition to the surging popularity of non-fungible tokens

A can’t-miss handbook for the crypto-curious investor, Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally deserves a place in the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in international finance, fintech, technology, or cryptocurrency.

Foreword ix

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xix

About the Author xxi

Introduction 1

Part 1: Digital Asset Utilization and Regulation in the United States 7

Chapter 1: About Bitcoin 9

Chapter 2: Ethereum 21

Chapter 3: Initial Coin Offering 27

Chapter 4: New Financial Alternatives 33

Chapter 5: Hedging Bitcoins with Options on the World Wide Web 37

Chapter 6: Cryptocurrency Spreads 45

Chapter 7: Altcoin, Stablecoin Utility Coins, and CBDC 51

Chapter 8: Cryptocurrency Tumblers and Mixing Services 59

Chapter 9: The Darknet 63

Chapter 10: Illicit Use of Cryptocurrencies 69

Chapter 11: Cybercrime Task Force 75

Chapter 12: Money Laundering 81

Chapter 13: Theft Hacking and Ransom Payments 93

Chapter 14: Cryptocurrency Bribes 97

Chapter 15: Corruption 101

Chapter 16: US Tax Evasion 103

Chapter 17: Intellectual Property Espionage and Cryptocurrency 107

Chapter 18: The US Government Implements Blockchain Programs to Improve Transparency and Efficiency 111

Chapter 19: Supply Chain Management with Blockchain Amid the COVID Pandemic 117

Chapter 20: Are NFTs Here to Stay? 135

Chapter 21: Regulation of Digital Assets 151

Part 2: Digital Asset Utilization and Regulation Around the World 153

Chapter 22: Portugal 155

Chapter 23: Netherlands 159

Chapter 24: South Africa 165

Chapter 25: Switzerland 169

Chapter 26: Israel 175

Chapter 27: South Korea 181

Chapter 28: Brazil 185

Chapter 29: Canada 191

Chapter 30: Malta 197

Chapter 31: Germany 201

Chapter 32: The United Arab Emirates 209

Chapter 33: Turkey 215

Chapter 34: Singapore 223

Chapter 35: Puerto Rico 229

Part 3: Solarized Around the World 235

Chapter 36: Is US Environmental Tax Policy Hindering Solar Power to Fuel Digital Technologies? 237

Chapter 37: Japan to Solarize Its Burgeoning Digital Economy 245

Chapter 38: Green Policy and Crypto Energy Consumption in the EU 259

Chapter 39: Chinese Blockchain-Based Mobile Payment Revolution 271

Chapter 40: India Is Fostering a Solarized Digital Future 287

Chapter 41: Russia Leads Multinational Stablecoin Initiative 295

Chapter 42: Africa’s Solarized Digitalization Agenda in the Time of Coronavirus 307

Chapter 43: The Need to Report Carbon Emissions Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic 315

Chapter 44: The Pandemic Year Ends with a Tokenized Carbon Cap-and-Trade Solution 327

Chapter 45: The UN’s COP26 Climate Change Goals Include Emerging Tech and Carbon Taxes 337

Index 345

SELVA OZELLI, ESQ., CPA, is an executive with extensive experience dealing with complex issues in the fields of international taxation, banking, securities, fintech, alternative and traditional investment, and aerospace. Her writing is frequently quoted in Thomson Reuters, The New York Times, Financial Times, and other high-profile publications.

Cryptocurrency has become one of the most fascinating and rapidly growing areas of technology and investment in recent memory. While volatility remains high, commentators around the world are increasingly recognizing that crypto and blockchain technologies are here to stay and will have an outsized impact on traditional finance and investment.

In Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally, international fintech and traditional finance expert Selva Ozelli delivers a thought-provoking and incisive exploration of cryptocurrency investment, as well as the risks and opportunities it presents. In the book, the author explains how anyone who deals in this promising new technology can avoid exposure to some of the more illicit uses to which cryptocurrencies have been put, and how they can take full advantage of the many profitable avenues opened by this exciting new technology.

Readers will find comprehensive treatments of US-based and global cryptocurrency and blockchain regulations, as well as advice for investors concerned about the environmental sustainability of blockchain technologies, but who don’t want to pass up the myriad opportunities that await those who invest in crypto. The book also includes illuminating treatments of a variety of national and transnational cryptocurrency initiatives taking place within and across different countries and regions.

Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally provides insightful discussions about the willingness of many national central banks to introduce digital tokens and currencies. It also incorporates explorations of the surging popularity of non-fungible tokens, or NFTs.

An indispensable blueprint to a complex and extraordinarily rewarding new sector, this book will earn a place in the libraries of anyone with even a passing interest—whether professional or personal—in international finance, technology, fintech, cryptocurrency, or blockchain.

PRAISE FOR SUSTAINABLY INVESTING IN DIGITAL ASSETS GLOBALLY

“A comprehensive must-read for anyone interested in international finance, fintech, NFT/blockchain technology, or cryptocurrencies.”
—YIFAN HE, CEO, Red Date Technologies; Executive Director, BSN Development Association

“Few industries are as full of myths and misconceptions as blockchains and digital assets. Selva’s diverse experience around the industry uniquely equips her to sort fact from fiction to educate a wide range of readers.”
—EMIN GÜN SIRER, Founder and CEO, Avalanche

“Selva offers insight to global digital asset investors on making sustainable, legally compliant and tax efficient investments in the burgeoning crypto economy.”
—SERGIU HAMZA, CEO, Coincub