Central banks have considered issuing cryptocurrencies - Italy economy minister

"Some central banks are looking into, and have even considered issuing, cryptocurrencies, to avoid bubbles that explode and do damage sooner or later," Padoan said at an event organized by energy firm Enel in Milan.

Digital currencies like bitcoin, which are created and maintained by their users, have taken the investment world by storm, prompting authorities around the world to attempt to rein in their trading.

(Reporting by Giancarlo Navach; Writing by Isla Binnie)