The Case for Contingent Convertible Debt for Sovereigns

We make the case for sovereigns to issue contingent convertible bonds as a means to forestall debt crises. These instruments contractually stipulate payment standstill, contingent on a sovereign’s credit default swap spread breaching a distress threshold. This is a financial innovation solution to the lack of sovereign debt restructuring mechanisms, limiting ex ante the likelihood of debt crises and imposing ex post risk sharing between...