Issue 2. 2022 13 ‘distributed ledger technology’ (DLT). But the key difference between DLT and blockchain is that there is no single authority that maintains the data (e.g., OneDrive, Google, AWS). With blockchain, there is no centralized authority holding the data, and the data is not valid unless ‘approved’ by a program that runs on many different devices around the world. What is a crypto asset? Crypto assets are much like your everyday tangible assets: cash, contracts, artwork, investments, information, etc. However, crypto assets are entirely digital. Here, everyone knows that your unique address (known as a wallet address) owns those assets because of the transaction information stored on the blockchain. A dollar bill may be compared to a Bitcoin. A contract may be compared to a ‘Smart Contract’. A non-fungible token may be compared to your house Deed. Nearly every transaction made in your everyday life can be hosted on a blockchain. THE SWOT A SWOT analysis considers your internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats. This template offers baseline considerations to review the risks and opportunities associated with the emerging crypto regulatory scheme. Strengths & Weaknesses • Management: The Board and senior managers of the bank have a clear understanding of the existing regulatory parameters surrounding crypto assets, are knowledgeable about the applicable rules to bank offerings, maintain an awareness of emerging changes, and have a system in place to update the bank’s operations quickly and efficiently to comply. • Internal Controls: The bank’s internal controls are builtout and appropriately monitored and tested to manage the increased credit, liquidity, and transaction risks associated with crypto asset custody, transactions, loans, issuance, and holdings. The bank stress tests contagion risks and enhances areas of identified deficiencies. The bank has consistent margin call triggers, procedures, and communication channels, where applicable. Evaluations of crypto assets as collateral are reviewed for fair lending purposes. • Personnel: Bank personnel are properly trained to understand and communicate the products and services offered to customers, are aware of and can appropriately mitigate the related risks, the number of assigned personnel is appropriate for the associated risks, and enough redundancy is built into roles to prevent any system failures that may result from termination of key personnel. Vendors undergo a risk-based due diligence review before business begins, and periodically thereafter. • Technology: The hardware and software used to transact, secure, and maintain crypto assets are wellmaintained and secure. External auditors are used to test and verify. The bank has a consistent and safe procedure for securing crypto collateral. • Insurance: The bank maintains appropriate levels of insurance related to all facets of crypto asset products and services. • Products: The bank can market and advertise crypto asset products and services in a manner consistent with existing laws and regulations, and an eye for fair lending and UDAAP risks. It has reviewed existing non-crypto products and services, identified the potential impacts, and updated those growth strategies to account for the internally driven competition. Opportunities & Threats • Management: The Board and senior managers of the bank can readily identify risks and opportunities presented by the lack of crypto asset laws and regulations. A SWOT analysis considers your internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats. continued on page 14
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