BNY Mellon, Deutsche Bank, ICAP and Santander are throwing their support behind the Utility Settlement Coin (USC) concept from UBS and newcomer Clearmatics Technologies that could lead to digital cash-based payment and settlement operations that exploit distributed ledger technology (DLT). The USC effort is intended to result in “an asset-backed digital cash instrument implemented on… Read More >>
Blockchain/DLT: A Behind-the-Scenes Revolution?
Despite massive media hype, the blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) that constitutes the Bitcoin cryptocurrency will lead to radical operational overhaul spinoffs that are likely to be hidden from view, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum, the foundation for public-private cooperation and sponsor of the Davos conferences. “The financial services infrastructure will… Read More >>
Barclays Pushes to Keep its Blockchain/DLT Edge
Although there have been a host of reports questioning the viability of blockchain, banks are still forging ahead, reviewing different ways to deploy cutting-edge, systems that exploit distributed ledger technology (DLT), if the recent Smart Contract Templates Summit is anything to go by. Barclays, for example, is striking partnerships with start-ups and testing its own… Read More >>
IBM, Singapore to Build R&D Hub for Blockchain
IBM is throwing more weight behind distributed ledger technology (DLT) with the news that the IT systems and software giant plans to launch the first IBM Center for Blockchain Innovation in Singapore via a collaboration with governmental authorities. IBM’s efforts are in line with expectations that securities trading firms and financial technology vendors are likely… Read More >>
Wall Street to Spend $1B on Blockchain/DLT Projects
Securities trading firms and financial technology vendors are likely to spend $1 billion or more exploring blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT), underscoring how important they think the DLT push has become. “Financial service firms and technology providers around the world will spend more than $1 billion in 2016 in the race to bring blockchain to capital… Read More >>
ESMA Explores Blockchain’s Risks and Promise
It was only a matter of time before regulators wanted to lift the lid on blockchain and look deeper into the potential opportunities and challenges in the financial services sphere. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), an EU financial services watchdog, is throwing down the gauntlet with its recent discussion paper for public consultation… Read More >>
Nasdaq Launches ‘Watershed’ Blockchain Framework
The Nasdaq Stock Market reports the launch of its Nasdaq financial framework (NFF), a new software solution that bundles “business functionality across the trade lifecycle” — and that includes a blockchain. The NFF is immediately available to its more than 100 market operator clients who maintain and run the infrastructure of the world’s capital markets,… Read More >>
Report Bursts Blockchain/DLT Bubbles for Ops
There is no doubt that Blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) has become one of the most talked about technologies in the world. Conferences, articles and events have been hailing its attributes but a recent report by Boston-based management consultancy Opimas shows that the technology may not be the panacea that many market participants are envisioning. The… Read More >>
SWIFT Urges a Cautious Embrace of DLT
The financial messaging and systems cooperative SWIFT is urging a cautious embrace of the much-hyped blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) while acknowledging that it is engaged in many R&D and proof-of-concept projects. SWIFT is laying out its response to the DLT phenomenon via a position paper written with global professional services provider Accenture, and via the… Read More >>
Blockchain for Clearing and Settlement to Be Gradual: Report
The emergence of blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) could led to “a new global clearing and settlement infrastructure” for domains that are “currently poorly served by existing infrastructure or facing poor value for money,” according to a new report from GBST, a securities transaction and fund administration software vendor. However, it’s likely to be a gradual… Read More >>
