Virtual Currency as a Subject of Theft

The article is devoted to the topic of cryptocurrency as a subject of theft, which is little studied in Russian legal practice and criminal legal doctrine. The concept of cryptocurrency, its creation and status features are sketchy. The legal nature of cryptocurrency has been analyzed and, on the basis of legal and economic grounds, the conclusion is made about the possibility to consider cryptocurrency as a subject of theft. The article considers the characteristics of cryptocurrency, which represent it as virtual signs of exchange. Such a currency cannot have the status of a cosmological currency object and is considered in one of the variants of its characteristics as private money. At the same time, as a «figure» of exchange, it plays a significant role for the supporters of the protocol, i.e. for those people who use cryptocurrency in their relationships, having agreed on its exchange properties. Sufficient attention is paid to the issue of legal regulation of cryptocurrency, taking into account the changes made to the Russian civil legislation devoted to digital rights. In support of the conclusions made, arguments are given not only of Russian legislation, but also of international law.

cryptocurrency, bitcoin, blockchain, crime, digital rights