The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS), the oversight body of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, met on 16 December to endorse its finalised prudential standard on banks’ cryptoasset exposures and the Committee’s work programme and strategic priorities for 2023-24.

The standard provides that unbacked cryptoassets and stablecoins with ineffective stabilisation mechanisms will be subject to a conservative prudential treatment. The standard will provide a robust and prudent global regulatory framework for internationally active banks’ exposures to cryptoassets that promotes responsible innovation while preserving financial stability. GHOS members agreed to implement the standard by 1 January 2025, and tasked the Committee with monitoring the implementation and effects of the standard.

The GHOS also endorsed the strategic priorities and work programme of the Committee for 2023–24. In addition to pursuing a forward-looking approach to identifying and assessing emerging risks and vulnerabilities to the global banking system, the work programme places high priority on work related to the ongoing digitalisation of finance, climate-related financial risks and monitoring, implementing and evaluating the Basel III framework.