Definition ∞ Classical soundness refers to traditional economic principles and metrics used to assess the stability and reliability of financial systems. This concept evaluates an asset or system based on established financial theories, emphasizing factors like solvency, liquidity, and risk management. It provides a benchmark against which newer financial constructs, such as digital assets, are often compared for their economic viability.
Context ∞ In crypto news, discussions of classical soundness frequently arise when evaluating the stability of stablecoins or the economic models of decentralized finance protocols. Regulators and traditional financial analysts often apply these conventional standards to digital assets, questioning their long-term sustainability and systemic risk. Understanding this perspective helps interpret critiques and regulatory proposals for digital asset markets.