Cryptocurrencies have been a major topic of debate for many lawyers. So far, in Poland, the majority of private law experts take the view that the possession of cryptocurrencies may only be considered a positive legal situation (an interest protected by law) and may not be associated with any right. This paper actually proves the opposite point of view. In the author’s opinion, cryptocurrency units resemble, in all aspects that are important for the construction of ownership, things considered to be physical objects. First of all, just like things, cryptocurrency units are the object of rivalry as regards their consumption (rivalrousness), and they can also be taken away from their possessor (excludability). That is why Polish legislator has decided to classify things as the objects of property. Today, however, it turns out that certain digital goods also meet such criteria. Therefore, it is justified to apply the provisions on ownership rights to cryptocurrency units by way of an analogy. The article broadly justifies the permissibility of such an analogy, as well as its theoretical structure. The arguments that could be raised against it have also been examined. As it appeared, neither the numerus clausus principle (however understood), nor the wording of Article 45 of the Polish Civil Code, create an obstacle for the application of the provisions on ownership to cryptocurrencies by way of an analogy. This has been proven by a comprehensive historical and comparative legal analysis. As a consequence, it should be acknowledged that cryptocurrency units are to be considered objects of property. This right is protected by rei vindicatio and actio negatoria, but protection in tort and the protection against unjust enrichment are to play a key role in this respect. Digital currencies can be considered a sign that the concept of ownership is evolving and that it will become more and more detached from material objects.
Purpose: The aim of the article is a comparative analysis of selected cryptocurrencies and gold in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The study covered the stock exchange of Gold and the four largest cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalization: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Cardano. The data for the analysis for the period 2020-2021 was taken from the internet platform www.coinmarketcap.com, where all cryptocurrencies are published in daily intervals, and from the Investing website www.investing.com for Gold. The analysis of data in the form of time series was carried out, based on the assumption that successive values in the data set represent successive measurements made at equal time intervals. Findings: Our findings prove that the studied cryptocurrencies proved to be resistant to economic fluctuations related to the pandemic crisis. Originality/value: We present original scientific research that provides useful information in a practical dimension for investors interested in the cryptocurrency market and safe assets, and anyone interested in the specificity of the problem at hand.
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