HSBC CEO Noel Quinn said the lender does not have any plans to begin a cryptocurrency trading table or provide electronic assets to its clients since the asset category is too explosive.

‘I see bitcoin as much more of a power class compared to a payments automobile, with really hard questions regarding how to appreciate it to the balance sheet of customers as it’s so volatile,”’ Quinn told Reuters.

Bitcoin dropped 47% a week, together with the declines probably stemming from lots of investor worries, including the conclusion by crypto market Huobi to scale back operations thanks to China’s tightening regulations. The cryptocurrency is down 40.5percent from its all time highs around $64,900 and is now changing hands for about $38,300. Year-to-date, bitcoin is up around 31 percent and is also 6 percent greater over a 24-hour interval, CoinDesk 20 information shows.

Quinn also took aim in stablecoins – cryptocurrencies which have their worth pegged to book assets like government-issued currencies or precious metals.

Stablecoins’have any book backing supporting them to tackle the stored-value issues, but it is dependent upon the sponsoring organization is and the arrangement and availability of this book,’ he explained.

However, HSBC’s CEO was optimistic about the prospect of central bank electronic monies (CBDC) inside the evolving monetary system.

‘CBDCs can ease global trades in e-wallets more easily, they simply take out friction expenses and they’re very likely to function in a transparent fashion and also have powerful characteristics of stored value,’ Quinn said.

China now contributes the world in the growth of a CBDC, and it has allowed the Beijing Winter Olympics next year as a possible date overseas athletes and visitors can start utilizing the electronic yuan in earnest.