A new report by the European Central Bank (ECB), presented as a “deep dive into crypto financial risks,” calls for “appropriate” regulation and oversight of stablecoins and decentralized finance (defi). It also addresses the hot topic of Bitcoin’s carbon footprint in Europe, suggesting a ban on proof-of-work mining is probable.
Recent developments show that stablecoins are anything but stable, as exemplified by the crash of terrausd and the temporary de-pegging of tether.
Initially serving mainly as a “relatively safe ‘parking space,’” the use cases for stablecoins have multiplied in recent years, the eurozone’s monetary authority notes, even more so with the rise of defi applications, which represent another rapidly expanding segment of the crypto market, especially over the past year.
While acknowledging that defi platforms employ technology-enabled innovation and differ in certain aspects such as how assets are held, trust is generated and systems governed, the ECB claims they do not create novel financial products but rather mimic those offered by traditional financial providers. At the same time, “defi is in many ways subject to the same vulnerabilities as traditional finance,” the central bank says, elaborating:
Defi protocols or platforms claim to have a decentralized governance structure, although in reality governance is often concentrated.
The ECB believes that efforts are needed to regulate and supervise the defi space effectively, despite the challenges that stem from its decentralized and anonymous nature, that make the task harder for policymakers and respective authorities. The European Central Bank urges for a coordinated approach on the international level and common standards to identify and fill the regulatory gaps.
Members of the crypto industry and community had warned that such a measure would have amounted to a ban on Bitcoin. But the ECB article asking the question “Is climate risk priced into crypto assets?” argues that authorities can incentivize the proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanisms, described as “the crypto version of the electric vehicle,” and restrict or ban the PoW mechanisms, referred to as “the crypto version of the fossil fuel car.”
“So, while a hands-off approach by public authorities is possible, it is highly unlikely, and policy action by authorities (e.g. disclosure requirements, carbon tax on crypto transactions or holdings, or outright bans on mining) is probable,” the authors think. In their opinion, it’s also unlikely that the EU will restrict or ban fossil fuel cars by 2035, but not take action against crypto assets with their carbon emissions which they say are enough to negate most euro area countries’ greenhouse gas emission savings.
Do you think the EU will introduce strict regulations for crypto assets and ban bitcoin mining? Share your expectations in the comments section below.
