The European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) recently released a report stating that the economic impact of the crypto industry is minimal at present, but with a recommendation that European Union (EU) bodies should actively monitor and mitigate any potential risks in the sector. Interestingly, the ESRB highlights the importance of monitoring leveraged trading in crypto. It states that leverage becomes problematic only if there are connections to the traditional financial system, and therefore needs close attention.
Daniel Weber, Directorate General of Communications for the European Central Bank, shared his thoughts on the report with Decrypt, emphasizing that “the most important takeaway is that, so far, the impact of cryptos on the financial systems was limited, due to only a few linkages. However, this could change as the sector is growing and highly volatile. Therefore it needs to be closely monitored.”
The ESRB’s report also mentions that “coordination and cooperation” between Europe and countries worldwide are essential for maintaining the low economic impact due to the “cross-border nature” of cryptocurrencies. Weber explained that the report aims to “inform the ongoing debates and provide suggestions on how to improve monitoring and risk assessment going forward.” It could even contribute to the European Commission’s future review of MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets).
This development follows the EU Parliament’s recent passage of MiCA, which sets a unified standard for crypto asset regulation across all EU member states. EU regulatory bodies have been observing crypto markets along with decentralized finance (DeFi) attentively, given the industry’s turbulence over the past 18 months.
Notable events in this period include a bear market that saw Bitcoin’s price fall by 77%, the arrest of Luna’s primary developer in Montenegro on fraud charges, and the implosion of FTX leading to a crisis of faith among investors and customers.
The ESRB’s recommendations demonstrate a measured approach to crypto regulation, recognizing the potential for crypto markets to affect traditional financial systems. Authorities seem to have adopted a forward-thinking mindset for monitoring the sector and devising policy options accordingly.
Nonetheless, detractors may argue that an overly cautious approach could stifle innovation and limit the growth potential of the industry. The balance between regulation and allowing crypto-assets to develop naturally remains a critical challenge for regulators, as they work to maximize what the technology can offer while safeguarding their financial systems.
Source: Decrypt
