I would like some confirmation that some of this actually makes sense business-wise.
/ this para is for my interviewers benefit
Bitcoin is certainly very interesting, it is a digital currency that is decentralised, removing the need for banks, instant payments (minutes) with no fees and most importantly, anonymity is the main feature. Bitcoin provides a much needed improvement on the current system where we depend on the banks for our economy.
Currently UK/USA do not have any solid exchanges that people can buy into straight away, so often have to resort to off-land exchanges from Japan and Slovenia. This results in fiat transactions taking a while and put off quite a few people from actually entering Bitcoin mrket itself. And at the moment, China is joining the train and Bitcoin is exploding as a result and is having a fair amount of media exposure. It was essential for US Senate to give Bitcoin the green light (as they did couple days ago) and allow new regulations/laws (esp how much Btc can be earned before being taxed, etc) to be imposed on Bitcoin in the US which could possibly encourage new exchanges to be set up. The UK should follow the US on this topic.
If Bitcoin were to be given the green light in the UK, it would affect PwC in many ways. For the auditing/taxing department, everyone would have to be educated in Bitcoin to make sure they truly understand it and weave through the new regulations/rules to ensure their clients are safe. In addition, the cyber IT risk security team would have to expand their area to include Bitcoin which could use a lot more improvements to ensure heightened security for their clients who may be dealing with significant transactions. PwC consulting teams would have to help the banks to include Bitcoin and redefine themselves in order to retain their customers that are dealing in Bitcoin.
If anything is totally wrong with this, please give me a heads up. I am keen to get this right.
Bitcoin transactions should have small fees. (Not required yet, but someday your money won't move without one.)
US has a very solid exchange in CampBX (based in Atlanta). It's based in the US and you can even get coins anonymously with a money order (up to $1000 per day). I haven't used it yet, but they are setting up ACH bank transfers in about a week.