Criminal and Legal Characteristics of Cryptocurrencies as a Subject of Theft: Problems and Prospects of Legal Regulation
https://doi.org/10.18384/2949-513X-2026-2-113-125
Abstract
Aim. To identify problematic aspects of criminal regulation of cryptocurrency theft to determine the areas of improvement of the relevant institution.
Methodology. The work used comparative legal, formal legal, systematic methods, as well as methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and generalization.
Results. It has been established that the cryptocurrency, despite its immaterial nature and lack of clear regulatory consolidation, has the characteristics of property and can be considered as an object of theft. The key problems of qualifying the theft of cryptocurrencies have been identified and directions for improving domestic legislation in this area have been proposed.
Research implications. Proposals have been formulated to improve the criminal law regulation of the theft of cryptocurrencies. The theoretical material on the legal nature of cryptocurrencies.
About the Author
K. A. ZarubinaRussian Federation
Kristina A. Zarubina – Cand. Sci. (History), Cand. Sci. (Law), Assoc. Prof., Department of Theory and History, State and Law
Kursk
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