E-commerce talks at WTO should expand to include cryptocurrencies: GTRI

As the World Trade Organisation (WTO) debates taxation issues around e-commerce the scope of talks should be expanded to include trade in cryptocurrencies as these too involve cross-border transfer over electronic networks, a trade policy think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said Monday.Currently, WTO members are discussing e-commerce under Joint Initiative on e-commerce and Moratorium on countries from applying customs duties on electronic transmissions.

“Both these negotiations need to factor in rypto currencies as the exchange of crypto currencies involves digital transmission which qualifies it as e-commerce transaction. Also crypto currencies may soon emerge as an important digital transaction enabler.