MSCI: $7 trillion in stocks already have crypto exposure

On October 15, an analysis by MSCI, a US index compiler, showed that at least 52 companies with a market value of US$7.1 trillion are currently exposed to cryptocurrency risks.

These include companies that are fully committed, such as Coinbase Inc., companies that hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets, such as Tesla Inc. and MicroStrategy Inc., and companies that are involved in crypto market services, such as JPMorgan Chase.

The report states that the growing importance of the volatile crypto asset class also poses various challenges to investors and companies, including those involving ESG (environmental, social and governance) assessments. Specific issues include greenhouse gas emissions from mining, the lack of crypto accounting standards, and the lack of transparency in how the network operates. The lack of crypto expertise among company board members is also a major problem.