SARB to Bring Cryptoassets into Regulatory Purview

The intention is not to regulate the actual cryptoassets and associated products per se, but rather the entities that provide services in relation to such products. Therefore, the South African regulators intend to regulate cryptoassets by regulating the cryptoasset service providers, or CASPs. The CAR WG position paper on cryptoassets provides a roadmap for putting in place a framework for regulating cryptoassets, through the regulation of CASPs, in South Africa. It also serves to initiate the process for the individual financial sector regulators to implement the recommendations contained herein. There is, however, a need to continually refine, amend, and make additions to the position paper given the evolutionary nature of the subject matter. The IFWG articulates the following six high-level principles that will continue to guide the national approach to regulating cryptoassets in South Africa—

• Principle 1: cryptoassets must be regulated appropriately.
• Principle 2: An activities-based perspective must be maintained and the principle of "same activity, same risk, same regulations" must continue to apply and inform the regulatory approach.
• Principle 3: Proportionate regulations that are commensurate with the risks posed must apply (that is. a risked-based approach to cryptoasset regulation must apply).
• Principle 4: A truly collaborative and joint approach to cryptoasset regulation by the Working Group must be maintained.
• Principle 5: The dynamic development of the crypto market must continue to be proactively monitored, including maintaining knowledge on emerging international best practices (through standard-setting bodies).
• Principle 6: Digital literacy and digital financial literacy levels must be increased among consumers and potential consumers of cryptoassets. 

Additionally, the CAR WG explicitly identified two priorities. One priority is to implement a monitoring program for cryptoassets while the other priority is to limit the exposure of prudentially regulated financial institutions and financial market infrastructures to cryptoassets, as the risk could over time spill over and create financial stability risks. The Group clarifies that the work on prudential regulation is ongoing at the BCBS level and South Africa will take its lead from BCBS when prescribing limits and determining the most appropriate regulatory treatment of prudentially regulated financial institutions’ exposures to cryptoassets.

Related Links

• Notification
• Press Release (PDF)
• Position Paper (PDF)
• FAQs (PDF)

Keywords: Middle East and Africa, South Africa, Banking, AML/CFT, Cyber Risk, Basel, Regulatory Capital, Financial Stability, Crypto Assets, Crypto-Asset Regulation, SARB