IMF warns of systemic risk as hedge fund assets hit $13 trillion

The IMF’s latest Global Financial Stability Report highlights a significant shift in market dynamics, noting that hedge funds have become primary players in liquidity and risk transfers. Their influence is particularly pronounced in the US Treasury market, where their participation has more than doubled to 9% since 2022. While this presence often enhances market efficiency, the lack of transparency surrounding their internal risk management and heavy reliance on borrowed capital remains a central concern for regulators.

Financial authorities are currently struggling to gain a clear picture of these firms' actual exposures, as the funds operate with fewer constraints than traditional banking institutions. The IMF argues that current oversight is insufficient to capture the potential for rapid contagion if market conditions sour. Consequently, the fund is urging policymakers to prioritize closing existing data gaps and implementing more rigorous monitoring of the sector to prevent vulnerabilities from cascading into broader systemic crises.