• Published on 20 December 2023
• 796 Views
• Print

IOSCO finalises policy recommendations for decentralised finance

IOSCO, the global standard setter for securities market regulators, has published its final report with policy recommendations for decentralised finance (DeFi).

The nine policy recommendations aim to address market integrity and investor protection concerns arising from DeFi by supporting greater consistency of regulatory frameworks and oversight in member jurisdictions.

The recommendations cover six key areas: understanding DeFi arrangements and structures; achieving common standards of regulatory outcomes; identification and management of key risks; clear, accurate and comprehensive disclosures; enforcement of applicable laws; and cross-border cooperation.

The DeFi policy recommendations complement those for crypto and digital assets (CDA) markets issued in November 2023. The two sets of IOSCO recommendations have been developed in accordance with IOSCO’s Crypto-asset Roadmap 2022/2023, and the interoperability between the two sets of recommendations is detailed in the Umbrella Note which has been published alongside the DeFi final report.

With delivery of these recommendations, IOSCO is now shifting attention towards implementation monitoring, capacity building and technical assistance needs of its members.

IOSCO recognises that jurisdictions are at different stages of tackling the risks presented by crypto-asset markets and decentralised finance. Some have existing regimes in place while others must develop new, bespoke frameworks.

Jean-Paul Servais, chairman of IOSCO, said: "I am pleased that IOSCO has delivered on the policy ambitions outlined in our Crypto-asset Roadmap in less than 18 months. The risks of crypto-asset markets are real and we are tackling these in a coordinated manner, seeking consistent implementation of these IOSCO recommendations across our membership to best protect investors globally."

Tuang Lee Lim, chairman of the IOSCO Board-level Fintech Task Force, set up to develop the policy measures, said: "The two sets of policy recommendations on CDA and DeFi provide a coherent and robust policy framework to tackle the core risks posed by crypto-asset markets. This will help facilitate a fair and transparent playing field where responsible innovation can occur while ensuring investor protection and market integrity outcomes."

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker