The advent of crypto and blockchain technology have a significant impact over
the traditional banking system which offers innovative opportunities and
formidable challenges. The banking system has evolved from the primitive age to
standardized paper currency which is fully controlled by the government to
regulate financial growth. In the XXI century, with the emergence and
integration of the concept of digitized currency such as Bitcoin has redefined
the financial transaction which is decentralized and secure as well as more
transparent due to blockchain technology.
The concept of cryptocurrency with a promise of faster, cheaper, securer and
transparency in comparison with the traditional banking poses a set back to the
traditional banking system. However, the volatility of crypto, security measures
and the uncertain regulatory frameworks are the major hurdles.
This paper explores the historical context of the currency, evolution and impact
of cryptocurrency on the traditional banking system, highlighting the case study
of the banks which adopted the digital currencies and blockchain technology.
This paper also examines the future coexistence and convergence of traditional
banks with the cryptocurrency. It also put emphasis on the associated
opportunities and risk factors with the emergence of crypto and blockchain
technology in the traditional banking system. It also discusses customer
education through webinars and seminars so that customers can invest in
cryptocurrencies efficiently. The under given paper emphasized the need to
balance the innovation with caution with the adaptation of this new financial
frontier.
In ancient times, people used to have numerous methods for trade and commerce.
People and the communities used to exchange the beads, shells, metals such as
gold, silver and brass as a currency. But as soon as the international trading
system emerged the need for standardization of the currency was needed. In the
seventh century, Tang Dynasty of China used forerunner of today's banknotes was
"Flying Money" which only can be used by the government officials and wealthy
merchants and later on issued for public use by Song Dynasty of China in tenth
century, which is the first known example of currency note1
With the emergence of financial and economic growth worldwide paper currencies
developed further which gives the government more control over the monetary
policies by controlling money supply and adjusting the interest rate for the
purpose of economic growth and development.
In the twenty-first century, with the emergence of digital currency such as
Bitcoin has broadened the concept of currencies. Though the digital currencies
have no general recognition as a payment method, they are secured and
decentralized by the cryptographic algorithm which is based on blockchain
technology. Blockchain is a technology which operates without any central entity
such as any bank or government and also it has potential to change the way of
transactions and in managing the data. This technology is also efficient in
decentralization and securing the data in addition to cutting out the middleman
and minimizing deceptive practice.
From the investors point of view, cryptocurrency also has some advantages such
as non-seizure by government institutions and tax free transactions. Moreover,
payments can't be tracked assuring the more protection of the data with the
strict privacy. However, there are still some risks involved such as corrupting
data by virus, crashed hard drive as well as hackers attack.
The digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple e.t.c. are the digital
assets which are used as a medium of trade with non-intervention of government
or group, instead all users have collective retention as it is a decentralized
one but being based on the blockchain technology. The use of cryptography
provides a secure financial transaction and verifies the assets movement.
Unlike the traditional currencies of paper and coin, crypto currencies are the
representation of values digitally. The blockchain technology working behind the
cryptocurrencies are unique for each crypto and this tech is a distributed
database or ledger in which all transactions being recorded are related with
virtual currency. The only drive of the price of digital currencies is the
demand and supply and that is why these are so volatile in nature.
Records,
The history of cryptocurrency is pretty interesting as it was started in the
form of a theoretical phenomenon and evolved into globally accepted digital
currency. Firstly in 1982, David Chaum published whitepaper, the first digital
bearer instrument "Blind Signatures for Untraceable Payments2" which laid the
foundation of digital currencies which was known as ECASH. Later on HASHCASH3
was invented by Adam Black in 1997 which was not the currency but a proof of
work algorithm used for denial of service countermeasure techniques which later
on influenced the bitcoin mining function. Then the earliest concept of
decentralized currency Bit Gold was proposed by the blockchain pioneer Nick
Szabo in 1998. Although it was never being implemented, it was considered as the
forerunner to Bitcoin of Satoshi Nakamoto's protocol.
In 2008, a whitepaper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer to Peer Electronic Cash System4"
with no trusted third party, published by Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonyms
creator of bitcoin, is the most significant mystery of the world as the creator
is not known whether he is an individual or a group of individuals. Bitcoin is a
decentralized currency which works on the blockchain technology. It was first
made available to the public in Jan 2009 in the form of a software known as
"Genesis Block"5•
Cryptocurrencies introduced a new set of principles in the financial world,
which offers the alternatives of traditional banking systems and methods of
transaction. The tech behind the crypto promises the faster, secure and the
cheaper transaction comparatively in addition it also provides the financial
services without using the traditional banking. Moreover, in case of cheaper
transaction cost it provides the peer to peer transaction operated on a
decentralized network which reduces the number of intermediaries. Which results
in reducing the transaction costs especially in case of cross border
transactions.
Cross border transactions are the transactions between the payer and payee both
in different countries and these payments are essential for the global trading
which is time taking, hefty cost and a non transparent process. Crypto,
particularly stablecoin(cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset
such as fiat currency such as US dollar or gold to maintain stable price and to
reduce volatility of cryptocurrencies), made a revolution in cross border
payments. Stablecoin provides the advantage over the traditional banking system.
It facilitates payment by making it swift and secure which make them an ideal
solution for global trading.
Cryptocurrency has the potential to change delivery of banking services in
developed and emerging financial markets. In the case of payment services it can
not only reduce the transaction time but also can increase the transparency and
security through the distributed ledger technology. Moreover, crypto can also
change the current or traditional bank products such as loans by creating higher
quality loan portfolios at lower risk.
In 2021, a bank named Goldman Sachs6 had launched its first cryptocurrency,
Ethereum derivative products. Another example who accept the crypto is Garanti
BBVA Digital Assets7, offering to the customers transferring and storing of
Bitcoin, Etherum and USD coin assets on Garanti BBVA Crypto, a mobile platform
of the Garanti BBVA.
On 04 Jan 2021, the total market value of supplied cryptocurrency was 876.58 B$
which reached to 2.85 B$ on 15 Nov 2021 which again shattered to 798.55 B$ on 02
Jan 2023 and in the beginning of this year that is on 04 Jan 2024 it was again
at 2.67 B$ and recently on 26 Aug 2024 was on 2.25 B$8. The given data shows how
volatile the crypto is in nature.
The fact that cryptocurrencies are used as assets rather than being a substitute
of money as currency creates an opportunity for the lenders to offer their
assets in the form of cryptocurrency as a collateral and borrow money from banks
and expand their business. The crypto lending parties to the agreement have a
smart contract which is self executing, automatic payout, liquidation of
collateral upon default as well as the release of collateral upon the completion
of agreement.
Moreover, due to high market price fluctuation, the extreme volatile nature of
crypto when there is margin call of collateral occurs then there is requirement
to add some more collateral to maintain the loan agreement and if the required
collateral is not fulfilled then there is liquidation of the collateral which
causes the financial loss.
Moreover, with the emergence & steady growth of crypto and digital currencies
there is a profound as well as multifaceted impact on the traditional banking
system such as conventional financial operations. With a continuous growth of
blockchain technology and digital assets, banks are facing the challenges.
- JPMorgan Chase
- JPM Coin: JPMorgan Chase has developed its own stablecoin named JPM Coin. This coin facilitates the complex challenge in cross-border transactions and offers the next level of corporate treasury services. It serves as a payment rail and deposit account ledger. JPMorgan provides its services successfully in digital solutions enabling instant transfer as well as clearing of multi-bank and multi-currency assets on the permissioned distributed ledger.
- Revolut
- Revolut: Revolut, a United Kingdom based bank, offers its services in cryptocurrencies based on the location of blocking, freezing, and returning deposits and withdrawals.
- DBS Bank
- DBS Digital Exchange: DBS Bank, a Singapore based bank, has launched its own digital currency DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx). DDEx has fully integrated access to tokenize, trade, and custody digital assets. DDEx is a member-only exchange, where it offers participants such as accredited investors, financial institutions, and family offices.
- ANIMA Bank AG
- ANIMA Bank AG: ANIMA Bank AG, a Switzerland based bank, previously famously known as SEBA Bank AG, is a fully licensed Swiss crypto bank. This bank operates globally and offers both traditional and crypto-based services to its clients. ANIMA Bank AG is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
- Silvergate Bank
- Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN): Silvergate, a California based bank, operated a real-time payment system called SEN which enables the holding of deposits or making loans to crypto as well as in traditional ways. However, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service, despite increasing from 1% to 98% between 2014 to 2021, the bank faced challenges in providing cryptocurrency services.
The present and on going evolution of the financial landscape due to emergence
of the crypto and blockchain technology, present many aspects of how traditional
banks may coexist and compete with these advanced emerging technologies. Banks
integrated the concept of crypto and blockchain technology offering customers a
wide range of services such as the traditional as well as crypto based services.
The coexistence of banks with the crypto world is possible with the partnership
of fintech companies and crypto exchanges, to develop and offer innovative
services. The trend of collaboration between banks and the fintech companies
will grow in the coming time as banks have to adopt the digital banking
capabilities to exist in addition to it adopt the development to keep up the
changing digitized need of the customers.
Moreover, in this competitive era with cryptocurrency and decentralized finance
platforms, bank's role is being challenged in the financial sector.
Decentralized finance platform is the decentralized alternative of the
traditional banking system which offers the lending, borrowing, trading and
other services without intermediaries which lowers the fees and enhances the
return due to which the dominance of traditional banks challenge.
The customers are attracted towards the speed, transparency and convenience of
decentralized finance which also pressurizes banks to adopt the latest
technology. Banks are exploring ways to collaborate with the decentralized
finance firms to improve financial inclusion and economic growth as well as to
reduce the cost and increase the efficiency and returns in addition to
attracting the customers and users.
Another important aspect for the future emergence of crypto in traditional
banking is the enhancement of customer education to use the digital currencies
so that there is globally acceptance and adoption. The present aspect of the use
of digital currency is very low to no use in the developing or under developing
countries while in the developed countries the use of digital currency is known
to maximum still is in use of a very few. The main reason behind it is the lack
of education related to digital currency.
For example, in a country such as India, people today also trust on traditional
banking rather than the digital use of it. In such a case the acceptance and
adoption of digital currency in India like countries is a little bit hard. The
ultimate solution is to develop a step by step guide on how to buy, sell, store
and transfer the digital currencies and to host regular seminars as well as the
webinar, online workshop, Question & Answer sessions to encourage the users.
Opportunities:
New financial inflows, Banks can generate revenue by offering services such as
crypto trading and investment which can attract both retail and institutional
users. As the number of users increases significantly banks may earn
significantly by having a nominal fee for transactions.
- Strengthened customer connections: Banks may attract young and digitally enthusiastic customers by offering crypto services, which could enhance long-term customer relations. Banks may also enable diversification of customer portfolios, positioning them as comprehensive financial service providers.
- Creativity and strategic advantage: By early adoption of crypto and blockchain technology, banks may become industry leaders, distinguishing themselves from competitors who are slow to adopt. Pioneering banks in adopting and integrating crypto and blockchain technologies could also have the opportunity to influence future regulatory frameworks, providing them with future landscape advantages.
- Broadened financial accessibility: By integrating crypto and blockchain technology, banks may reach underbanked populations, particularly in areas with limited or no access to traditional banking. This may offer financial support in microfinancing, small business, and individual-level services.
Risks
Uncertainty in regulation, with the emergence of regulatory framework there are
significant challenges. Any association or individual having illegal activities
such as money laundering or the terrorist funding through crypto may damage the
bank's reputation. To handle these situations banks must have robust protocols
such as Anti-Money laundering and Know Your Customer.
Market volatile nature, the high financial risk may be associated with the
volatile nature of crypto currencies. Banks may face drastic loss during the
downturn of the market. The unpredictable liquidity of certain crypto currencies
may lead to challenges in customer withdrawal demand, transactions in addition
to customers can have significant credit risk if the borrower is unable to pay
the loans.
Security and reputational risk, the prominent threat associated due to the
integration of digital currencies is cyber attack such as hacking, phishing and
ransome attack. Securing crypto requires advanced security such as multiple wall
protection of anti cyber attacks. The implementation and maintenance of crypto
requires advanced technical expertise and a complex system so that it is hard to
breach.
Technology and security risk, any financial loss due to crypto related scam or
due to any technical issue, the bank may be accountable to the customer which
leads to reputational and financial loss to the bank too. Bank must ensure the
proper communication to the customer related to financial loss as well as the
bank must ensure the adequate customer protection from financial loss. Banks
must adopt the proper crypto services as lack of proper services and poor data
protection may lead to bank's permanent reputation loss.
Conclusion:
The integration of cryptocurrency has profound challenges as well as
opportunities for the traditional banking system. Cryptocurrencies based on the
blockchain technology provides the innovative financial solution which promises
the faster, more secure, more transparent, cost effective specifically in the
cross-border transactions. With the emergence of decentralized finance
platforms, there is another challenge for the banks as the decentralized finance
platforms provide the intermediary free transactions which are cost efficient
and more transparent due to which customers attract.
However, there are risks involved due to the emergence of the crypto and
blockchain technology to the traditional banks. The volatile nature of crypto,
uncertainty in the regulatory framework as well as the security threats
associated with the digital currencies pose a significant challenge for the
traditional banking system. There is substantial financial loss due to the
market fluctuations and the compliance being complicated due to the evolution of
the regulatory landscape. Moreover, the threat of cyberattacks such as phishing
needs a more advanced technical multilayered framework which requires
significant expertise in addition to investment.
Regardless of the risks associated with the crypto and blockchain technology,
the potential benefits of these tech, is substantial. Banks who are pioneers in
the emergence and integration of digital currencies can position them as the
financial market leaders as well as attract new customer segments. In addition
to it, banks can also serve the underserved population which has little or no
access to the banking system. By adopting the crypto and blockchain technology
banks can improve its operational efficiency and reduce the operational cost.
Ultimately, to achieve the new setlines traditional banks must have a reasonable
balance between the innovation and the risk management. Banks must invest in
customer education and ensure that they trust in digital currencies. To thrive
in the new era, Banks must collaborate with the fintech companies and
decentralized finance platforms to offer its services efficiently and also to
provide the robust securities against the cyberattacks to ensure the customer
trust. As the financial dimensions continue to grow, banks which adopt the
opportunities provided by crypto with the associated risk management effectively
will be well positioned in the upcoming era.
End Notes:
- First paper money, Guinness World: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-paper-money (last visited Sept. 7, 2024).
- ECash, Chaum: https://www.chaum.com/ecash (last visited Sept. 7, 2024).
- Hashcash, Hashcash.org: http://www.hashcash.org (last visited Sept. 7, 2024).
- Who Created Bitcoin? Satoshi Nakamoto: Anonymous Creator of Bitcoin, the World's Leading Cryptocurrency (last visited Sept. 9, 2024).
- Investopedia, Genesis Block: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/genesis-block.asp (last visited Oct. 4, 2024).
- Goldman Sachs begins trading its first ever Ethereum derivatives products, The Trade News: https://www.thetradenews.com/[exact-url] (last visited Sept. 6, 2024).
- Garanti BBVA Digital Assets now offers crypto custody to all customers on its Garanti BBVA Crypto mobile platform, NEWS BBVA: https://www.bbva.com/[exact-url] (last visited Sept. 6, 2024).
- Market Cap Breakdown Chart Live Cryptocurrency Charts & Market Data, CoinMarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 29, 2024).
- Coin Systems, Onyx by J.P. Morgan: https://www.jpmorgan.com/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 29, 2024).
- Cryptocurrency, Revolut United Kingdom: https://www.revolut.com/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 29, 2024).
- DDex: Digital Assets and Crypto Trading in Singapore, DBS: https://www.dbs.eom.sg/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 29, 2024).
- DDex: Digital Assets and Crypto Trading in Singapore, DBS: https://www.dbs.com.sg/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 29, 2024).
- SEBA Bank rebrands to AMINA Bank, Amina Group: https://www.aminagroup.com/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 29, 2024).
- The Role of Cryptocurrency in the Failures of Silvergate, Silicon Valley, and Signature Banks, Congress.gov: https://www.congress.gov/[exact-url] (last visited Aug. 30, 2024).
Award Winning Article Is Written By: Mr.Mayank Agarwal, DNLU Jabalpur LL.M.
Authentication No: DE434563398966-10-1224
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