Finding the Right Model Governance Approach - Davies

Finding the Right Model Governance Approach for Crypto Firms and Fintechs

Why effective model validation is becoming essential in digital asset risk management.

The digital asset market grew sharply in 2023, with market capitalisation rising from around $830 billion to $1.6 trillion. This growth has pushed crypto firms and fintechs to rely more heavily on models for risk management, fraud detection, and financial crime prevention. Yet many firms still struggle to apply the right level of governance to these models, especially as digital‑asset behaviours shift faster than traditional financial markets.

A key challenge is that digital‑asset models often rely on data that is volatile, incomplete, or difficult to verify. This makes it harder to understand how a model behaves over time or whether it remains reliable as market conditions change. Firms frequently ask how to validate models when historical data is limited, when behaviours shift rapidly, or when blockchain‑native features introduce new risks. These are practical issues that traditional validation frameworks don’t always address.

Our whitepaper tackles these questions directly. It explains the specific risks that arise in digital‑asset modelling, outlines common failure points we see across the industry, and provides practical steps firms can take to strengthen governance. This includes approaches for testing models with limited data, assessing model drift in fast‑moving markets, and aligning governance with emerging regulatory expectations.

Download the full whitepaper to explore the full analysis and recommendations. Get in touch to find out how we can support your model validation needs in the digital asset space.

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Meet the expert

Pritesh Patel

Senior Partner

Risk & Compliance

Pritesh Patel is Senior Partner and Head of Risk and Compliance at Davies. With over 20 years of experience across global financial institutions, he specialises in building strong risk and control frameworks that support responsible growth.

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