LONDON: Banks must set aside enough capital to cover losses on any bitcoin holdings in full, global banking regulators proposed on Thursday, in a “conservative” step that could prevent widescale use of the cryptocurrency by major lenders.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, made up of regulators from the world’s leading financial centers, proposed a twin approach to capital requirements for crypto assets held by banks in its first bespoke rule for the nascent sector.
El Salvador has become the world’s first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender even though central banks globally have repeatedly warned that investors in the cryptocurrency must be ready to lose all their money.
Major economies including China and the US have signalled in recent weeks a tougher approach, while developing plans to develop their own central bank digital currencies.
The Swiss-based Basel committee said in a public consultation paper that while bank exposures to crypto assets are limited, their continued growth could increase risks to global financial stability if capital requirements are not introduced.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are currently worth around $1.6 trillion globally, which is still tiny compared with bank holdings of loans, derivatives and other major assets.
Basel’s rules require banks to assign “risk weightings” to different types of assets on their books, with these totted up to determine overall capital requirements.
For crypto assets, Basel is proposing two broad groups.
The first includes certain tokenized traditional assets and stablecoins which would come under existing rules and treated in the same way as bonds, loans, deposits, equities or commodities.
This means the weighting could range between 0 percent for a tokenized sovereign bond to 1,250 percent or full value of asset covered by capital.
The value of stablecoins and other group 1 crypto-assets are tied to a traditional asset, such as the dollar in the case of Facebook’s proposed Diem stablecoin.
Nevertheless, given crypto assets are based on new and rapidly evolving technology like blockchain, this poses a potentially increased likelihood of operational risks which need an “add-on” capital charge for all types, Basel said.
The second group includes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin that would be subject to a new “conservative prudential treatment” with a risk-weighting of 1,250 percent because of their “unique risks.”
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not linked to any underlying asset.
Under Basel rules, a 1,250 percent risk weight translates into banks having to hold capital at least equal in value to their exposures to Bitcoin or other group 2 crypto assets.
“The capital will be sufficient to absorb a full write-off of the crypto asset exposures without exposing depositors and other senior creditors of the banks to a loss,” it added.
Few other assets that have such conservative treatment under Basel’s existing rules, and include investments in funds or securitizations where banks do not have sufficient information about their underlying exposures.
The value of Bitcoin has swung wildly, hitting a record high of around $64,895 in mid-April, before slumping to around $36,834 on Thursday.
Banks’ appetite for cryptocurrencies varies, with HSBC saying it has no plans for a cryptocurrency trading desk because the digital coins are too volatile. Goldman Sachs restarted its crypto trading desk in March.
Basel said that given the rapidly evolving nature of crypto assets, a further public consultation on capital requirements is likely before final rules are published.
Central bank digital currencies are not included in its proposals.
Bank regulators plan capital rule for bitcoin
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Bank regulators plan capital rule for bitcoin
- Crypto assets could increase risk to global financial stability if capital requirements are not met
Saudi PIF executes 10 investment deals in MENA markets, says official
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has executed more than 10 investment deals across several markets in the Middle East and North Africa over the past two years, according to Muteb Al-Shathri, head of PIF’s Securities Investments Private Equity Section, who described the returns as “rewarding.”
Al-Shathri said these markets included Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman, noting that the search for opportunities continues through collaboration with the fund’s public and private sector partners, provided a suitable investment climate exists in other regional markets.
He added that the launch of the fund’s regional investment companies reflects the attractiveness and promising opportunities in the MENA region — among the fastest-growing markets globally — while also aiming to strengthen the PIF’s investment partnerships, those of its portfolio companies, and Saudi private sector engagement with targeted regional markets.
This approach, he added, supports the development of long-term strategic economic partnerships to achieve sustainable returns, enhance the fund’s assets, and diversify Saudi Arabia’s revenue sources in line with Vision 2030 objectives.
Al-Shathri said: “The PIF’s recent regional activities are fully aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy.”
The regional investment companies also enable the Saudi private sector to expand its investment footprint across MENA, creating strategic economic collaboration opportunities with private sector players in target markets, while supporting the growth and diversification of the Saudi economy.
Regarding the scale of the deals, Al-Shathri noted that some were announced as private acquisitions, while many of the companies PIF invested in are now publicly traded, adding that comparing share prices at the time of entry with current levels demonstrates strong returns.
According to Al-Shathri, PIF has established offices for its regional investment companies in four key markets — Cairo, Manama, Amman, and Muscat — bringing together the fund’s investment expertise alongside national talent from each country.
“These offices, set up more than two years ago, have been pivotal in identifying suitable opportunities and helping PIF’s companies and the Saudi private sector enter these markets,” he said.
He further said that over the past two years, they have completed more than 10 investment deals across a range of companies and new projects, all of which have seen growth in size, scope, revenues, and profits.
On the performance of regional companies, he explained that activity levels vary depending on market conditions, but operations and asset management continue, adding that the Egyptian market remains one of the largest, with many high-performing companies present.
Highlighting key investments, Al-Shathri pointed to PIF’s 2021 investment in ADES, a well-known oil well drilling company that was traded on the London market before being taken private for two years and later publicly listed. ADES recently signed an agreement with the Syrian Petroleum Co. to develop oil and gas fields and operates in over 20 countries across four continents.
Diverse and promising acquisitions
Al-Shathri detailed specific market investments, beginning with the Saudi-Egyptian Investment Co., which initially acquired stakes in three private-sector companies: B.Tech, a leading electronics and home appliance distributor; CERA Group, the largest private education provider in Egypt; and Cleopatra Hospitals Group.
The company also invested in four public-sector entities: Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemicals Industries Co., Misr Fertilizers Production Co., e-Finance for financial and digital investments, and Alexandria Container & Cargo Handling Co., the latter of which was recently fully divested.
The Saudi-Jordanian Investment Co. invested in three promising Jordanian firms: Opensooq platform, Capital Bank Group, and Al-Youm Bakery, and announced a major project in healthcare and medical education — the Kingdom Healthcare and Medical Education Project.
The Saudi-Bahraini Investment Co. recently signed an agreement with Mumtalakat, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, to enhance cooperation and investment in strategic sectors. This follows a memorandum of understanding between PIF and Mumtalakat in March 2024 to expand collaboration opportunities.
Al-Shathri added that the Saudi-Omani Investment Co. acquired a 9.8 percent stake in Abraj Energy Services, 3.75 percent in OQ Basic Industries, and 4.9 percent in OQ Oman Gas Networks, for a total investment of $163 million. The company also signed an MoU with the Oman Investment Authority to expand cooperation and support new investment opportunities in the sultanate.
Investment based on clear principles
Al-Shathri emphasized that PIF establishes companies based on strict investment criteria, aiming for sustainable returns in line with calculated risk levels, stressing that returns are received as expected.
“Our investment policy is open to all sectors in every market, though each market has its own competitive advantages,” he said.
He added: “We always target quality investments with rewarding, sustainable returns while creating positive social and economic impact in each market.”
Ongoing market monitoring and research
As for future announcements, Al-Shathri said: “We are constantly monitoring the markets and have a team of experts at the fund working in the research sector. If we identify opportunities in other markets, they will be presented in line with PIF’s standard procedures.”
He added that the fund always pays close attention to the capabilities of the company and other shareholders, “ensuring they are of a very high standard not just in terms of the company’s financial value, because financial value can only be preserved and grown by strong management and partners.”
Domestic focus and strategic partnerships
Regarding the Saudi economy, Al-Shathri said that domestic matters are a priority for the PIF, especially since Saudi Arabia has the largest economy in the region.
He added: “We are always keen to allocate most of our investments within Saudi Arabia and attract investment funds to the country.”
Recently, the fund closed a deal between a consortium of BlackRock investors and Saudi Aramco in the Al-Jafurah field. It is worth noting that BlackRock’s infrastructure investments in Saudi Arabia exceed $20 billion, according to previous announcements.
On the key companies targeted by the fund, Al-Shathri said some will be announced soon, emphasizing that PIF’s strategy is clear: to seek high-growth companies that serve the fund’s objectives and align with Vision 2030 goals.
He pointed out that the fund engages with numerous companies that see significant value in partnering with it, adding that PIF’s efforts go beyond launching investment opportunities and providing regional expansion capabilities, emphasizing that they also include contributing to the companies’ growth, improving governance, and enhancing prospects for public listing.
