US to regulate Bitcoin currency at its all-time high
Looks like Bitcoin has got too big to ignore. Virtual currencies are to be regulated by the US Treasury after the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) moved to clarify their status under anti-money-laundering laws.
The move comes as Bitcoins doubled in value in just a few weeks to hit a record high of more than $70 each, possibly fuelled by the banking crisis in Cyprus and the rest of Europe.
Bitcoin is run on a decentralised network controlled by its users, making it difficult to regulate transactions within the currency. However, exchanges that swap Bitcoins for real-world currencies, such as MtGox, are another matter.