The relationship between electronic money, digital currencies, virtual currencies and cryptocurrencies: Researching the concept

Abstract

 The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, virtual currencies and electronic money, based on their definition by major international Organizations such as the European Central Bank, the Bank for International Settlements and the European Parliament, and the classifications it identified for these terms. This study concluded that virtual currencies, cryptocurrencies, and electronic money are digital currencies, but both virtual currencies and cryptocurrencies are not subject to any legal regulation, so they are not considered electronic money and are not included in the money category. Thus, electronic money is the only term that is money in the strict sense.