China’s new targets in crypto crackdown: News outlets and... hotels?

The Chinese government hates cryptocurrencies but still likes blockchain

Blockchain

Karen Chiu

Published: 7:15pm, 22 Aug, 2018

Why you can trust SCMP

This article originally appeared on ABACUS

China’s crackdown on cryptocurrencies is now reaching beyond traders and fundraisers.

WeChat has banned a number of media accounts focusing on blockchain news, citing violations against new rules issued by the country’s internet watchdog, according to the South China Morning Post.

Signs of trouble began a few months ago, when the People’s Daily slammed these outlets for fueling a speculative frenzy around ICOs, or initial coin offerings -- projects that raise money to create new kinds of digital coins. Many of these news outlets take cryptocurrencies as payment to publish sponsored content, meaning their fortunes rise or fall along with the crypto market.

Crypto prices are extremely volatile. At its peak, Ethereum was trading at over US$1,000 -- way more than its current price of around US$285. Bitcoin, after reaching almost US$20,000 in December, has since experienced a 70% crash.

Jingse Caijing, one of the outlets blocked by WeChat, says 350,000 people visit its platform everyday to read more than 200 articles on crypto and blockchain projects. It didn’t respond to a request from the SCMP to comment on the ban.

China’s netizens use blockchain to spread censored news

In another sign that China is stepping up its crackdown, authorities in Beijing are going after marketing activities by crypto firms. Starting from last week, hotels, office buildings and shopping malls located in the central Chaoyang district are no longer allowed to host marketing events involving cryptocurrencies.

Its part of nationwide clampdown that began last year. Local exchanges and ICOs have been banned -- and bitcoin mining has come under increasing scrutiny.

On the other hand, blockchain -- the technology underpinning cryptocurrencies -- enjoys full official support. The China Internet Report 2018 highlights the country’s many efforts to become a frontrunner in blockchain. Among them, Xiongan New Area -- a region handpicked by President Xi Jinping to showcase China’s tech innovations -- plans to use blockchain to build a smart city.

A store without cashiers opens in China’s “future city”

For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.

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