Dallas Fed: Tokenized Deposits Could Reduce Bank Lending Capacity

Odaily News: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (Dallas Fed) reported that tokenized deposits could allow customers to move funds more quickly in search of higher yields, potentially undermining bank funding stability. The bank estimates that a 10% increase in deposit rate sensitivity could reduce banks' interest rate risk-bearing capacity by approximately $700 billion.

The report notes that tokenized deposits differ from stablecoins like USDT and USDC, as they are regulated, interest-bearing deposits. However, instant settlement, smart contracts, and AI could lower deposit stickiness. If demand deposits become easier to transfer rapidly between institutions, banks' willingness to hold long-term fixed-rate assets may decline.

The bank also stated that if the weighted average maturity of deposits shortens by 10%, the banking system's maturity transformation capacity could decrease by $580 billion. Institutions including Custodia, Vantage, Barclays, BMO, and Swift have already tested or advanced projects related to tokenized deposits and 24/7 settlement. (Decrypt)