Bank Capital Requirements

Definition ∞ Bank capital requirements are regulatory mandates obligating financial institutions to hold a minimum amount of equity and other liquid assets. These requirements serve to ensure a bank’s solvency and stability, protecting depositors and the broader financial system from losses. They dictate the proportion of capital a bank must retain relative to its risk-weighted assets. Such regulations aim to prevent excessive risk-taking and absorb potential financial shocks.
Context ∞ In crypto news, bank capital requirements are a significant point of discussion regarding the integration of digital assets into traditional banking operations. Regulators are currently debating how to appropriately risk-weight cryptoasset holdings for banks, with proposals often suggesting very high capital charges due to perceived volatility and operational risks. A critical future development involves creating clear, standardized global frameworks for banks holding or facilitating digital assets.