Fintech, including cryptoassets, has been associated with high growth in the past few years and today there is increased knowledge about cryptoassets in society. When new technologies are used for various financial services, the effectiveness of the financial system can improve, because development and innovation can lead to new services that are cheaper, simpler and faster to use for groups such as private individuals. At the same time, however, this presents certain challenges for authorities.

This is particularly the case for cryptoassets, which are largely unregulated in many parts of the world, while at the same time it is difficult to monitor the progression of the risks they present. This is because little data is available about them. Cryptoassets are also associated with low, or non-existent, consumer and investor protection, which makes it risky for private individuals to invest in them.

There is no exact figure on how many Swedish households are exposed to cryptoassets. From a global angle, however, exposure to cryptoassets among Swedes is likely relatively low. Swedish banks and institutional investors appear to have limited cryptoasset exposures currently. Thus far, the risk of shocks on the cryptoasset market affecting the Swedish market and traditional financial system is probably low.

A number of international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and FSB have also expressed that cryptoassets do not pose a systemic risk currently.^[110] See FSB (2022), “Assessment of Risks to Financial Stability from Crypto-Assets”, February 2022, Financial Stability Board and The Crypto Ecosystem and Financial Stability Challenges. Chapter in the Global Financial Stability Report, October 2021, International Monetary Fund. However, they might affect financial stability further ahead if the risks associated with them are not addressed. In line with this, many central banks, authorities and international standard-setting bodies have therefore maintained focus on following the progression of the cryptoasset market and taking measures to the extent possible and necessary, for instance by issuing cryptoasset-related standards. In parallel, regulatory efforts are in progress in many jurisdictions, aimed at reducing the risks linked to cryptoassets and improving consumer and investor protection.