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 >>
Blockchain Spawns Mysteries, Projects and Alliances
The Blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) phenomenon is forging ahead amid mysteries, major projects at financial services firms and new alliances among top industry providers. As for mysteries solved, major financial services players are delving into the DLT underpinnings, which stem from the Bitcoin cryptocurrency whose inventor has been shrouded in mystery. That is until Monday,… Read More >>
ECB Issues Warning Call About Blockchain
The sheer fact that the European Central Bank (ECB) is examining the use of the distributed ledger technology (DLT) for the Eurosystem’s market infrastructure has put blockchain firmly on the financial map. However, more work needs to be done to see whether this shared database — originally developed for cryptocurrency Bitcoin and used to secure… Read More >>
