Chinese Authorities Target NFTs After Crypto Assets, Warns Public About ‘Hidden’ Financial Risks

Chinese organisations wish to promote development in the blockchain industry, including NFTs, but without subjecting people to financial risks.

By Radhika Parashar | Updated: 14 April 2022 10:59 IST

Chinese Authorities Target NFTs After Crypto Assets, Warns Public About ‘Hidden’ Financial Risks

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Andrey Metelev

NFT sales reached some $25 billion (roughly Rs. 1,84,700 crore) in 2021

Highlights

Chinese groups do not want NFTs must not represent valuable metals
The groups also show reservation against crypto payments for NFTs
NFTs must also not represent financial assets, the groups have said

Chinese financial and security organisations have turned their focus on the NFT sector after the country cracked down on crypto activities and deemed them illegal last year. Three groups from China have jointly warned against the financial risks that are linked to non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These organisations are, the China Banking Association, the China Internet Finance Association, and the Securities Association of China. The collective intention around NFTs from these groups is to stir transparent and honest awareness on the sales and purchases of these digital collectibles.

The Chinese organisations have said that they wish to encourage development in the blockchain tech, especially NFTs. The broader plan includes ways to tone down the tendency of “NFT financialisation and securitisation”.

Collectively, the groups have also expressed reservations towards using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, and Tether, to settle payments and facilitate transactions around NFTs.

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In addition, the groups have also said that NFTs should not represent valuable metals and financial assets like bonds and insurance.

The main aim that these groups have in mind is to reduce the chances of NFTs to be used as tools to process illicit activities like money laundering.

The associations proposed:
- NFTs shouldn't represent financial assets like bonds, insurance, or precious metals
- NFTs shouldn't be used to facilitate #ICOs
- members of the associations shouldn't provide centralized exchanges for NFTs
- NFTs cannot be transacted in crypto...
— China Boring Tech (@ChinaBoringTech) April 13, 2022

While China has criminalised crypto trading and mining, classification clarity on NFTs remain awaited in the nation.

Last month, WeChat, which is China's equivalent to WhatsApp, took down popular NFT platforms off its searches. The banished platforms include Xihu No.1 and Dongyiyuandian, among others.

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User policies were also refreshed by Ant Group's digital collection platform ‘WhaleTalk', making over-the-counter NFT transactions a punishable offence.

NFTs, that are blockchain-built digital collectibles, play a vital role in triggering the movement of crypto assets. Their sales reached some $25 billion (roughly Rs. 1,84,700 crore) in 2021 volume as the speculative crypto asset exploded in popularity, data from market tracker DappRadar showed.

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Further reading: Cryptocurrency, China, NFTs, Non Fungible Tokens, Blockchain Technology

Radhika Parashar

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Radhika Parashar is a senior correspondent for Gadgets 360. She has been reporting on tech and telecom for the last three years now and will be focussing on writing about all things crypto. Besides this, she is a major sitcom nerd and often replies in Chandler Bing and Michael Scott references. For tips or queries you could reach out to her at RadhikaP@ndtv.com. More