Imaginary and Real “Regulatory Challenges” of Criminal Policy in the Economy (on the Example of Cryptocurrency)

The article is devoted to the study of regulatory challenges that arise before criminal law in the context of the digitalization of society and the emergence of cryptocurrencies. The author explores the peculiarities of the legal regulation of digital currency, emphasizing the complexity of determining its status and the impact of the lack of a formed regulatory regime on the application of criminal law norms. The article examines the consequences of technological innovations for traditional approaches to protecting economic relations and proposes measures to improve criminal legislation in order to enhance the effectiveness of combating crimes related to the circulation of cryptocurrencies. Special attention is paid to the problems of qualifying acts related to cryptocurrency. It is noted that despite the difficulties in determining the legal status of cryptocurrency, its inclusion among the objects of criminal law protection is possible based on an analysis of judicial practice and existing regulatory (positive) legislation. Recommendations are proposed to eliminate gaps.