A cryptocurrency for oil is launching — and it'll be completely government compliant

Reuters/Stefano Rellandini

• OilCoin, a cryptocurrency based on oil reserves and backed by a former CFTC commissioner, was announced this week. 
• One token will represent one barrell of oil. It's expected to begin trading in January. 

A team of banking and technology managers and former U.S. regulatory commissioners said on Monday that they are launching the world’s first regulatory compliant cryptocurrency backed by a physical asset—OilCoin, which will be based on oil reserves.

OilCoin’s public token sale, also known as the initial coin offering (ICO), is expected to begin in January 2018, said the team behind the project that includes Bart Chilton, former Commissioner at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) between 2007 and 2014.

The aim of the OilCoin is to tokenize barrels of oil, where each token will represent the value of one barrel, and provide users with a meaningful safe haven from cryptocurrency volatility, the team launching the digital currency said.

"The price of an OilCoin token will approximate and move in tandem with the price of a single barrel of crude oil. As demand for OilCoin causes the price of a single OilCoin to rise above the price of a barrel of oil, additional OilCoin will be issued and the proceeds will be invested in additional oil reserves," said OilCoin co-founder Darius Brooks, formerly with private equity firm TPG.

OilCoin will comply with U.S. laws and regulations and will be suitable for global institutional and retail users, the team noted.

According to the OilCoin project proponents, the fact that the digital currency will be backed by oil reserves, and that it will comply with the U.S. securities and commodities laws will address the criticism that cryptocurrencies have been receiving from prominent figures in finance, commerce, and government regulation. 

Meanwhile, the Bitcoin craze continues and Chicago-based Cboe Global Markets launched trade in bitcoin futures on Sunday in what is the first exposure to a regulated mainstream exchange for bitcoin investors.

According to OilCoin proponent Bart Chilton, trading bitcoin futures is safe and could help stabilize its highly volatile trade.

NOW WATCH: 6 airline industry secrets that will help you fly like a pro