IMF Staff Suggests The Need For Global Regulatory Framework For Crypto Assets

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IMF has called for a global framework for guiding regulation of crypto assets

Cryptocurrencies are no longer an unpopular asset in today's world. The rate at which these digital assets are being embraced across populations has evoked concern from certain members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Considering that “crypto assets are no longer on the fringe of the financial system”, the staff of IMF is calling for a global framework that can guide the regulation and supervision of crypto assets. “There's a growing interconnectedness between virtual assets and financial markets,” stated a report written by Tobias Adrian, Tara Iyer, and Mahvash S Qureshi working at IMF.

The report added that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have evolved from an obscure asset class that had a few users initially and have gone on to become a huge part of the digital asset revolution. In the process, they have raised concerns related to financial stability.

According to the report, the market value of the crypto assets rose to nearly $3 trillion in November 2021, from $620 billion in 2017. That suggests a rise of over three times. Despite volatility, these assets have been widely adopted by retail and institutional investors alike.

The correlation of crypto assets with traditional holdings like equities has increased dramatically as adoption has grown, according to the report.

According to IMF research, the correlation between cryptocurrency assets and traditional holdings “raises the risk of contagion across financial markets”.

The report added that considering cryptocurrencies' high volatility and valuation, their “increased co-movement” could pose challenges to financial stability, especially in countries where cryptocurrency use is