Money, Cryptocurrencies, and Negotiable Instruments

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores the complex relationship between money, cryptocurrencies, and negotiable instruments in law. It begins by defining money and discussing its legal tender status, highlighting its role as a store of value and its legal character. The chapter then examines cryptocurrencies, focusing on their nature, their status as property, and the legal debates surrounding their classification as money due to the absence of state backing. It distinguishes between pure intangibles and documentary intangibles, such as negotiable instruments. Finally, the chapter addresses the implications of technological advancements like dematerialization, which may redefine the understanding and transfer of documentary intangibles in the future.