​​CFTC commissioner compares crypto contagion risk to 2008 financial crisis.The commissioner warnes that vulnerabilities

​​CFTC commissioner compares crypto contagion risk to 2008 financial crisis.

The commissioner warnes that vulnerabilities seen within the crypto markets are similar to those seen during the global financial crisis and calls for the agency to be given additional authority.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Christy Goldsmith Romero has pointed to the collapse of the Terra ecosystem and its flow-on effects as an example of how contagion risks within crypto markets are similar to those experienced by the traditional financial (TradFi) system during the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008.

Romero suggested in a speech given at the International Swaps and Derivatives Association’s (ISDA) Crypto Forum on Oct. 26 that increased links between crypto markets and TradFi increases the risk posed by crypto to overall financial stability, noting:

“The digital asset market remains relatively small and contained from the level of systemic risk that would come with greater scale or interconnections with the traditional financial system. But this may not be the case in the near future, particularly given growing interest by traditional finance.”

One area of TradFi the commissioner would prefer to remain distant from crypto is retirement and pension funds. This opinion has likely been influenced by recent events in the United Kingdom, where pension fund issues required intervention from the Bank of England.

While Romero cautions the United States to not rush regulations, she supports a “same risk, same regulatory outcome” approach as the level of risk posed by the crypto industry increases, suggesting:

“Similar to post-crisis reforms, Congress can address financial stability risks by providing additional authority to the CFTC.”

The GFC came about after banks began to lend recklessly to people without the means to fully pay back their mortgages. These “subprime” mortgages were bundled together and sold as safe investment products before defaults started a ripple effect that spread across the world.

​​CFTC commissioner compares crypto contagion risk to 2008 financial crisis.

The commissioner warnes that vulnerabilities seen within the crypto markets are similar to those seen during the global financial crisis and calls for the agency to be given additional authority.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Christy Goldsmith Romero has pointed to the collapse of the Terra ecosystem and its flow-on effects as an example of how contagion risks within crypto markets are similar to those experienced by the traditional financial (TradFi) system during the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2008.

Romero suggested in a speech given at the International Swaps and Derivatives Association’s (ISDA) Crypto Forum on Oct. 26 that increased links between crypto markets and TradFi increases the risk posed by crypto to overall financial stability, noting:

“The digital asset market remains relatively small and contained from the level of systemic risk that would come with greater scale or interconnections with the traditional financial system. But this may not be the case in the near future, particularly given growing interest by traditional finance.”

One area of TradFi the commissioner would prefer to remain distant from crypto is retirement and pension funds. This opinion has likely been influenced by recent events in the United Kingdom, where pension fund issues required intervention from the Bank of England.

While Romero cautions the United States to not rush regulations, she supports a “same risk, same regulatory outcome” approach as the level of risk posed by the crypto industry increases, suggesting:

“Similar to post-crisis reforms, Congress can address financial stability risks by providing additional authority to the CFTC.”

The GFC came about after banks began to lend recklessly to people without the means to fully pay back their mortgages. These “subprime” mortgages were bundled together and sold as safe investment products before defaults started a ripple effect that spread across the world.