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The well-known risk evaluation company Moody's Corporation is allegedly looking into creating a stablecoin score system. A new Bloomberg story states that Moody's would evaluate up to 20 stablecoins and assign a quality rating based on reserve confirmations.
It is significant to emphasize that this system of scoring will not be taken into account for official credit ratings.
The Rise of Stablecoins
As a substitute for the erratic nature of other cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency whose value is linked to a fiat currency or financial instrument, have grown in popularity.
Stablecoins were designed with the intention of offering a more reliable source of value, but this does not mean they are risk-free.
Quality of Stablecoin Reserves: A Concern for Regulators
Recent events have put the quality of stablecoin reserves back in the spotlight of financial regulators.
The collapse of TerraUSD in 2022 has refocused attention on this important aspect of stablecoins. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has emphasized the importance of quality and liquid reserves in stablecoins and stated that they have the potential to become a stable source of value.
However, financial regulators in the US have warned of the dangers of unregulated stablecoins and the IMF has advised that stablecoin issuers be subject to strict prudential requirements. Acting Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Martin Gruenberg, has advised that stablecoin issuers should be regulated in a strict manner.
Tether: A Case Study
Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, has faced legal consequences for allegedly misrepresenting the amount of fiat collateral backing its USDT stablecoin. In 2021, Tether settled with the New York State Attorney's office, paying $18.5 million in restitution and being required to make periodic disclosures of its reserves.
Moody's Credit Analysis
Moody's is widely known for providing credit ratings for publicly traded companies, analyzing credit risk and providing rates for its clients. On January 19, the agency published a note on Coinbase that spoke of the crypto exchange's reduced senior debt, indicating the company's ability to meet its financial obligations.
As Moody's continues to expand its reach in the crypto industry, it will be interesting to see how the new stablecoin scoring system develops and how it is received by the market.
