암호화폐 중심 네오뱅크가 더 인기를 끌게 될까요?

며칠간 격동의 상황이 이어졌으며, 미국 은행 시스템이 흔들리기 시작했습니다. 문제는 연준이 1년 안에 금리를 19배 인상하기로 한 단기적 결정에서 비롯되었습니다. 이는 은행들이 2022년까지 이어질 것으로 약속된 저금리 환경에서 장기 국채를 대량 보유한 후 발생한 일입니다. 금리 인상이 인플레이션을 억제하기 위해 필요하다고 많은 이들이 보았지만, 그 속도가 예금자 요구와 은행 부채를 고려하지 못한 채 급격히 진행되었습니다.

지난 해 다양한 분야에서 대규모 정리해고가 이어졌으며, 특히 기술 산업이 가장 큰 타격을 입었습니다. 벤처 캐피털 자금이 말라버리면서 여러 은행의 고객·예금자들이 자금을 인출해 운영을 지속하려 했습니다. 저금리 국채에 몰입한 은행들에게는 이제 손실을 감수하고 자산을 매각해야 하는 상황이 되었고, 그 결과 실버게이트, 실리콘밸리 은행, 시그니처 등 여러 은행이 유동성 위기로 문을 닫게 되었습니다.

With those three banks in particular playing a large role in providing services to the digital asset sector, many are wondering where companies will now turn to have their needs met.  Yes, there are still plenty of options on the table, with various already indicating an intent to move towards industry giants like BNY Mellon, others have different plans, including operating as Neobanks.

네오뱅크란 무엇인가?

A Neobank, or sometimes referred to as a ‘challenger bank’, is a company which offers basic banking services which are tailored towards a specific group of clientele.

These companies typically do not maintain brick-and-mortar locations, operating online only.  They differ from actual online-banks, as they do not boast a bank charter.  This means that while they may be able to offer an underserved industry or group of clientele access to certain banking services, there are certain protections that typically are not afforded unless affiliated with a chartered bank (ie. FDIC coverage).

Although services on offer by Neobanks are typically limited, as they do not offer things like in-person customer service, physical branches, and certain protections, there are various benefits in using them.  These include accessibility within underserved markets, convenience, better operational efficiency resulting in lower fees and higher rates, etc.

누가 참여하고 있나요?

In response to the ongoing banking crisis, there have been various questions posited across social media platforms surrounding Neobanks.  One in particular garnered a response from Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong.

출처: Twitter @octal

Of course, this is just chatter at this time.  It does show however that the idea of operating as a Neobank is one that is floating around some of the top companies within the digital asset sector that is actively repositioning itself.

As it stands, a variety of existing neobanks already, or plan to offer, some level of service for digital assets.  These include companies like Step, Current, MoneyLion, and many more.

네오뱅크가 필요할까요?

There are those that wonder if Neobanks are needed at at all.  The following are a few brief reasons why they might not be moving forward.

암호화폐 중심 인가 은행

Although not live yet, there are examples on the horizon of actual chartered-banks being formed specifically to serve the digital asset sector.  Perhaps none are more anticipated than that of Kraken Bank.

The popular exchange states that it plans on launching, “…디지털 우선 전통 및 암호화폐 뱅킹 제품으로, 암호화폐를 일류 시민으로 대우합니다. 우리는 USD 및 암호화 자산(예: 비트코인) 예금 계좌, 다양한 자금 조달 및 결제 옵션, 기관 보관 제품(자문가 및 브로커 딜러를 위한 적격 보관), IRA 등과 같은 제품을 모색하고 있습니다.”

Unlike traditional banks, Kraken does not believe in the fractional-reserve system. To that end, it states “Kraken Bank는 완전 준비금(즉, 부분 준비금 은행업이나 관련 재담보 및 대출 활동이 없습니다)으로 운영됩니다. 모든 자산은 현금 또는 가장 위험이 낮고 가장 유동성이 높은 현금 등가물 형태로 보유 및 이용 가능하게 됩니다. 또한 우리는 자체 자본의 상당한 준비금과 잉여금을 유지하여, “은행 달리기” 상황이 발생하더라도 모든 고객의 전체 잔액을 커버할 수 있도록 할 것입니다.”

While only time will tell, Kraken has been touting its pending bank launch as a solution to the current issues causing turmoil in the banking system since it 2020년에 처음으로 SPID 승인을 받았습니다.

전 세계적 존재

While the United States is arguably the most influential country in the world, it is just one country at the end of the day.  With digital assets operating on a global scale, the digital asset sector does not 필요 for companies to remain within the U.S., and there is no need for industry participants to rely solely on U.S. based services.

This perspective is one being increasingly shared, as many now believe that the United States may miss out on becoming a leader in the worlds future economy if it continues heading down the path it has recently embarked upon.

스스로 은행이 되세요

Remember that Bitcoin itself arose in a timely fashion after the last U.S. banking crisis in 2008/2009.  The entire premise was that use of its network allowed participants to be their own bank.  It provided a medium to transact value in a transparent manner, while removing the need to trust.  In 2023, this has not changed.

Centralized entities can succumb to bank runs, fraud, and mismanagement.  Bitcoin itself can not.  Yes, its value may flucuate, but this is based on supply/demand – not poor risk management and fractional-reserve lending.  When your BTC is in your non-custodial wallet, 당신이 통제합니다.  That means that while there is increased responsibility on you, no one else has the ability to rehypothecate your funds or expose you to undue risk.

With the collapse of various banks rocking the financial world, this is a selling point that has now begun holding greater weight among many.