Proposed legislation which aims to recognise digital assets as property in the eyes of the law will be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee.
It has launched a call for views on the Scottish Government’s Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill, which is designed to incorporate the ownership and transfer of digital assets into Scots law.
In recent decades, the use and importance of digital assets has become widespread, but there is little case law relating to new forms of digital assets – including cryptocurrencies – to help individuals, businesses and legal practitioners in their dealings with such assets.
The Bill confirms that digital assets can be recognised as incorporeal moveable property. If passed, it would confirm how ownership can be established and acquired, providing greater certainty for tech developers, digital asset owners and the legal profession.
As of 2025, approximately 10% of adults in Scotland – around 540,000 people – own some form of cryptocurrency.
Committee convener Daniel Johnson MSP said: “Scotland’s fintech sector contributes £14bn to the Scottish economy.
“This Bill could help provide the answers needed about digital assets as objects of property and support ongoing innovation and investment in the sector.
“We are keen to hear from legal practitioners, academics and anyone with an interest in digital assets about whether they support the provisions in the Bill,” he continued, adding: “We also want to hear what other actions could be required to support businesses and individuals in their dealings with digital assets.”
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