ELECTION 2022: BTCX Party Poll

Dear customers and crypto enthusiasts: very soon there will be elections for Riksdag, municipal council and regional council!

We at BTCX see it as our duty to try to find out where the various parties stand on Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and related issues.

We have therefore asked the open question:
"How does the party view cryptocurrencies in general and Bitcoin in particular, now and the coming term?"

The question was sent to all parties in the Riksdag, as well as to the Pirate Party and Civic Collection because we have noted that there is an interest in the two parties among our customers.

Below are the answers. Don't forget to vote according to your personal beliefs on September 11th!

The Liberal Party:

Digital development offers new opportunities with increased production, faster communication and new job opportunities. It is exciting to follow developments with cryptocurrencies and blockchain. As with all technological developments, both threats and strengths come in the wake of the new financial solutions. On the plus side, of course, is the possibility of new flexible solutions for the consumer and increased privacy. Particularly interesting is how cryptocurrencies can create opportunities for democratic work in dictatorships. But as legislators, we must also work on how society should face organized crime's use of new technology. That is why I am working, for example, to ensure that the balance between freedom of payment and the interest in curbing terrorism, for example, is examined more seriously in the legislation on money laundering. And that is why we liberals want to see a stable and broad legal framework for, for example, blockchain, AI and sharing services within the EU. In this way, the EU member states can together protect democratic rights and personal integrity without the technical development being complicated by 27 national legislations.

The Sweden Democrats:

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have emerged as a popular form of investment that has attracted young people in particular. The recent sharp run and crash of several cryptocurrencies has clearly illustrated the often volatile and uncertain value of these currencies. Even the judiciary has experienced an increasing problem with cryptocurrencies, as these are used as the main means of payment for illegal goods and services on the Darknet as well as for money laundering. We see no immediate need for further regulation of the crypto market, but believe it is important that people who choose to trade or invest in cryptocurrencies are aware of the risks.

The Centre Party:

Blockchain technology really has the potential to revolutionize many areas of society. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies provide an opportunity to disconnect from the banking system for those who want to. It is a democratization of payment systems that is exciting. Evaluating how it has worked in El Salvador with Bitcoin as the official currency will also be interesting for the rest of the world. There are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Regulations introduced in Sweden and the EU therefore need to be balanced and consider personal privacy and the special construction of cryptocurrencies. Introducing technology-specific bans or regulating which technology different cryptocurrencies may use is not relevant.

The Green Party:

The Green Party has no special policy in the area of cryptocurrencies. We value efficient and secure payment systems. We want to ensure that the government promotes innovation. If it turns out that cryptocurrency markets need to be regulated further down the line, we are prepared to do so. However, we are somewhat critical that the production of cryptocurrencies requires large amounts of electricity that could probably be put to better use.

The Pirate Party:

We love decentralization, and see cryptocurrencies as having a natural place in our society, today and in the future. Cryptocurrencies in general play an increasingly important role in the economy at large and have a variety of uses. Bitcoin is part of this development which we see as positive. Sweden must be at the forefront, just as we did early on with the Internet in general. There is a tendency among politicians to regulate based on fears and risks. Of course we have to take that into account as well, but the starting point in the regulation of cryptocurrencies must be the question of how we take advantage of the opportunities.

Citizens' Coalition:

Citizens' Coalition is a market-liberal, liberal-conservative party and sees it as a matter of course to be positive about innovation and decentralization. We see it as a great danger that the politicians, the states and not least supranational institutions will be more and more interested in controlling the citizens through the control over the means of payment in detail. When all payments go electronic, absolutely dizzying possibilities for control open up. Anyone who is thrown out of the payment system is in practice completely enslaved. We further note that the concept of "crypto/cryptocurrencies" is too broad to have a general approach to. Each blockchain technology must be assessed based on its specific uses and characteristics. We are pro market, not pro any particular business! This means that legislators must ensure that there are regulations in place that make it clear what investors can expect and put minimal obstacles in the way of development/innovation. Today we have not taken a position on the question of e.g. Bitcoin should be treated as a currency instead of "other assets" in the tax code, but that is an area that we will look at in the next period. In general, we are positive (the liberal in us), but the impact analysis must be done thoroughly (the conservative in us).

From the following parties there was no answer to our question:

• The Left Party
• The Christian Democrats
• The Social Democratic Party
• The Moderate Party