The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has unveiled guidelines for banks to handle their direct exposure to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Cardano (ADA). These rules, known as the Basel Crypto Standard, were first updated in July 2024. While not immediately effective, they are expected to be implemented this year according to EMURGO COO Nikhil Joshi who brought attention to their potential implications for Southeast Asia’s crypto market. Joshi highlights that these rules are gaining traction globally with regulators increasingly adopting them. Banks must now classify digital assets based on specific criteria and categorize them into two groups: Group 1 includes assets meeting pre-determined conditions, receiving favorable treatment, while Group 2 is considered