Bitcoin benefit? HK ATMs Out Of Cash And Panic Over Indian Banks.

Escalating political tensions in Hong Kong and a potential economic and banking crisis in India has highlighted how fragile cash savings can be. Naturally Bitcoin benefit from this and would be the answer if adoption was greater and volatility was lower but the pluses for decentralized money are growing.

Hong Kong ATMs Empty. Bitcoin benefit from this?

As violence continues to grip the island state it is the innocent that usually suffer first. Videos leaked over social media recently show intensifying attacks from both sides as the situation spirals out of control.

Over the weekend it was also widely reported that ATMs across the Hong Kong were running short of cash. Citizens have started to panic and queues at empty ATMs were starting to form. The updates were also posted on local social media channels.

The fear from many is that the government will freeze their assets as it bows to Beijing. There is also concern over devaluation of the currency as Hong Kong descends into anarchy. Chief Investment Officer at Hayman Capital Management, Kyle Bass, added that account seizures could become a reality as the HK legal system crumbles.

As alternative forms of currency, such as Bitcoin, become popular Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission has accelerated its crypto asset regulation agenda in a recently published document. The report provided detailed guidance to fund managers on all aspects of handling crypto assets in addition to a framework for dealing with ICOs.

As the crisis deepens more people could turn to Bitcoin as cash becomes a scarce commodity and fears of asset seizures escalate.

Indian Banking Crisis

India is also suffering but its woes are primarily economical. According to reports the Reserve Bank of India slashed its year growth forecast by nearly a full percentage point on Friday. Rate cuts have also occurred as the economy slows and concern grows among its billion plus population.

Rumors have been swirling about the general health of the Indian banking sector and the RBI had to turn to social media in an attempt to reassure customers.

It is not a good sign that the central bank needs to reassure depositors that their funds are safe.

The developments were not lost on Morgan Creek Digital co-founder and partner Anthony Pompliano. He has previously extolled the virtues of Bitcoin as a safeguard against such actions and reiterated that stance recently.

“When you’re worried about your assets being seized or becoming inaccessible to you, Bitcoin’s non-seizability becomes very attractive. This aspect of Bitcoin just became important for 1+ billion people in India & Hong Kong.”

Bitcoin’s volatility is clearly off-putting for many, but the notion that a bank can collapse or a regime can seize funds should be equally as frightening to those that trust them with everything they own.