八部门：虚拟货币相关业务，境内一律严格禁止！

Core Viewpoint - The People's Bank of China and eight other departments have reiterated a strict prohibition on virtual currency activities, classifying them as illegal financial activities, and emphasizing the risks associated with such investments [1][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The recent notice issued on February 6 reaffirms the long-standing policy against virtual currencies, stating that all related business activities are strictly prohibited within the country [3]. - This notice follows previous regulations from 2013 and 2021, which also classified virtual currencies like Bitcoin and stablecoins as not having the same legal status as fiat currency [3]. Group 2: Market Impact - On February 5, Bitcoin's price fell below $70,000 for the first time since November 2024, with a maximum drop of 9.74% in 24 hours, leading to significant losses for many investors [1]. - Other cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Solana, Binance Coin, and Dogecoin, also experienced substantial declines, resulting in severe financial repercussions for investors [1]. Group 3: Nature of Virtual Currencies - Virtual currencies are characterized by their lack of legal status equivalent to fiat currencies, existing as non-government issued digital assets that utilize encryption and distributed ledger technology [1][3]. - The notice emphasizes that virtual currencies should not and cannot circulate as money in the market, highlighting their inherent risks [1].