The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has recently finalized its disclosure framework for banks’ crypto exposures and has made targeted amendments to its standards regarding cryptoassets. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to tighten the criteria for certain stablecoins to receive preferential regulatory treatment. This move comes after more than a year of work on the framework by the Committee, which is a part of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). The updates were published on July 17 with the goal of enhancing transparency and ensuring a consistent regulatory approach within the digital assets space.
The new disclosure framework, known as DIS55, will require banks to provide detailed information on their crypto activities through standardized tables and templates. This includes qualitative descriptions of their crypto-related business and quantitative data on capital and liquidity requirements. By standardizing these disclosures, the Committee hopes to improve market discipline and reduce information gaps among market participants. The aim is to enhance market transparency and stability, ultimately supporting the broader financial system.
Within the framework, lenders will need to share how they assess risks and classify these assets. They must also provide data on their crypto exposures and related capital requirements, in addition to detailing the accounting classification and liquidity needs for these assets. The standards now include a new definition of “materiality” for certain crypto-assets and set thresholds for when banks must disclose their exposures. Reporting average daily values for crypto holdings will give a clearer picture of risk levels. Despite feedback from the industry, the Committee maintains that reporting credit and market risks for tokenized assets separately is crucial.
Alongside the disclosure framework, the Committee has revised its prudential standard for crypto-assets. The focus is on tightening the criteria for certain stablecoins to receive preferential regulatory treatment, classifying them under “Group 1b.” These changes are intended to clarify the regulatory landscape and ensure a consistent understanding of standards across jurisdictions. Other technical amendments have been made, such as removing detailed requirements and clarifying the scope of disclosures. The Committee is committed to monitoring developments in the cryptoasset markets and adjusting its regulatory framework as needed to address emerging risks.
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