S&P Global Ratings launches Vault Risk Assessment for digital asset markets
Key Highlights
- ➤S&P Global Ratings launched Vault Risk Assessment for digital asset lending vaults
- ➤Vault deposits reached US$10 billion in September 2026, up from US$1.5 billion two years earlier
- ➤VRA evaluates six risks but is not a credit rating or yield assessment
- ➤S&P Global agreed to acquire OpenZeppelin in September 2026
- ➤S&P Global led a strategic investment in Kaiko earlier in September 2026
Expert Statements
Yann Le Pallec, President, S&P Global Ratings
“As digital assets continue to institutionalize, the demand for independent risk assessments that bridge traditional finance and decentralized innovation is paramount”
Yann Le Pallec, President, S&P Global Ratings
“Our commitment to bringing transparency and rigorous analysis to all financial markets extends to this rapidly growing segment. The Vault Risk Assessment will empower investors and foster greater confidence and stability as capital flows into these new digital structures.”
James Wiemken, Executive Managing Director and Head of Global Ratings Services, S&P Global Ratings
“Digital asset vaults represent a significant evolution in onchain finance, offering new avenues for pooled investment and capital efficiency”
James Wiemken, Executive Managing Director and Head of Global Ratings Services, S&P Global Ratings
“However, the inherent complexities and varying disclosure standards in this nascent market create a clear need for a standardized, independent risk perspective. The VRA fills this critical gap, providing market participants with the deep insights necessary to navigate vault investments with greater clarity and confidence.”
S&P Global Ratings launches Vault Risk Assessment for digital asset markets PR Newswire
* New framework delivers independent risk transparency for onchain investment vehicles, furthering S&P Global's offerings across the DeFi space SINGAPORE, Oct. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Ratings , a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), today launched its Vault Risk Assessment (VRA), a new analytical approach that delivers independent, forward-looking insights into the risks associated with digital asset lending vaults. The initiative brings institutional-grade transparency to the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem and supports informed decision-making for market participants.
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