Crypto Industry’s Custody, Ownership Rights Are 'Fundamental Problems' That Need Solving - US Official
The recent collapse of the TerraUSD (UST) stablecoin has demonstrated that custody and ownership rights are underdeveloped for the size, scope, and ambitions of the crypto industry, according to the US Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu.
The comptroller presented his opinion at the DC Blockchain Summit event which took place on May 24 in Washington, D.C., USA.
Hsu stated that,
As the stablecoin “was collapsing, the largest centralized exchange in the United States disclosed that, should it file for bankruptcy, its users would be at risk of becoming unsecured creditors. This disclosure renewed questions about the nature of the 'custody services' that centralized exchanges and other intermediaries provide.”
He was making a reference to Coinbase’s announcement that, should the company file for bankruptcy, it would have the right to hold crypto assets of its retail users as property of the bankruptcy estate.
According to the comptroller,
“For a technology and industry so focused on promoting an 'ownership society,' the lack of clarity on ownership rights, modes of ownership, and custody of digital assets seems like a fundamental problem that needs to be solved.”
Hsu further outlined a number of questions, such as what do consumers exactly own when they buy crypto or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through an exchange or app; how are the bundle of rights apportioned; and who must the consumers rely on to exercise their ownership?
He noted that,
“Establishing clear standards for the ownership and custody of digital assets would protect consumers while enabling sustainable, long-term growth.”
Last month, in his remarks before the Institute of International Economic Law at Georgetown University Law Center, the comptroller
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