Commercial Paper

Definition ∞ Commercial paper is a short-term, unsecured debt instrument issued by corporations to meet immediate funding needs. These promissory notes typically have maturities ranging from a few days to 270 days and are sold at a discount, with the difference between the purchase price and the face value representing the investor’s return. It serves as a crucial component of money markets, providing companies with a flexible and cost-effective method for managing working capital. Its issuance relies heavily on the issuer’s creditworthiness.
Context ∞ In crypto news, commercial paper gained prominence as a significant backing asset for certain stablecoins, raising concerns about transparency and liquidity risks. Regulatory bodies worldwide are now scrutinizing stablecoin reserves, particularly their holdings of such traditional financial instruments. The future stability of some digital assets is directly tied to the quality and oversight of their commercial paper allocations.