Bitcoin's Risk Weight Under Basel III: Implications for U.S. Banks

The Federal Reserve has initiated a 90-day public comment period regarding the implementation of revised Basel III rules in the United States. According to NS3.AI, Bitcoin continues to be assigned a 1,250% risk weight under the current framework, compelling banks to maintain $1 in reserve for every $1 of Bitcoin held on their balance sheets. Analysts argue that this requirement renders bank participation in Bitcoin financially impractical. In February, crypto treasury executives called on regulators to reconsider the digital asset risk weights before finalizing the update.