In the digital age it is increasingly common for people to make purchases through the web with cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, the Doge, Ether and Binance Coin.
According to the consultancy Valora Analitik, Colombia occupies the position number 15 of countries with the most transactions of these currencies in the world. A position that shows that investment in them is popular in the nation’s economy.
To the astonishment of many, the foregoing is evident in the opening that the platforms that offer a sales service have arranged to admit, for example, bitcoin as a means of payment.
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According to the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN), in Colombia there are more than 680 establishments where it is allowed to pay with crypto assets, where you can find technology centers, video games and virtual stores.
Such is the case that you can even purchase streaming services, such as Netflix and HBO, and buy food or any item in Éxito, Jumbo and Metro supermarkets. This thanks to the agencies that made it possible to pay for the products through a bitcoin conversion system.
On Tuesday of this week, the bill to regulate cryptocurrencies in Colombia (Law 139 of 2021) passed its third debate in Commission VI of the Senate, thus getting closer to being converted into a law.
Since its launch in 2009, this digital currency has increased in popularity on the stock market.
But that’s not all, with the crypto, you can also pay for the membership of the gym, make cell phone recharges, go to restaurants, clothing stores and even cancel what your pet needs in Petshops, according to ‘Portfolio’.
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In the same way, that technology articles and subscriptions to online games such as ‘Play to again’.
Although it is true that this payment method can represent an advantage as a monetary acquisition, it is important that you keep in mind that this currency is still in the process of being regulated, which continues to make it vulnerable in terms of its security.
Possible risks of digital currencies
The tax advice of buying with crypto assets can be complex.
According to the financial entity BBVA, before executing any purchase with cryptocurrencies, it is essential to know the risks involved in your investment.
-Volatility: The bitcoin price is highly volatile, which means that its value can fluctuate recently. This can make it difficult to predict how much your purchase will cost and can also lead to losses if the price declines.
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-Security: bitcoin is a digital currency that is stored on a computer or other electronic device. This makes it vulnerable to theft or hacking and in the event of theft there is no way to recover it.
-Taxes: The tax advice of buying with crypto assets can be complex. In some countries, you may have to pay taxes on the profits you make from using this currency.
NATHALIA GOMEZ PARRA
DIGITAL SCOPE WRITING
TIME
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