Connect with us

Fintech

Swiss central bank undertakes world’s first tokenized monetary policy operation

FinCrypt Staff

Published

on

Swiss central bank undertakes world's first tokenized monetary policy operation

SNB headquarters in Zurich: Earlier this month the Central Bank issued digital SNB invoices on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), it announced – in addition the Helvetia project will be continued “for at least another two years” and its “expanded” scope; inset: Global Government Fintech article (7 November 2023) on the third phase of the Helvetia project | Credit: SNB

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) announced that it has become the first central bank in the world to “carry out a monetary policy operation in a live production environment” using distributed ledger technology (DLT).

The announcement was made during a press conference in Zurich (June 20) which provided updates on topics such as inflation and the Swiss economic outlook before focusing on fintech-related innovation, in particular new ambitions for the pilot project wholesale on the central bank digital currency (CBDC) “Project Helvetia” initiative.

THE SNB said it successfully issued SNB digital invoices on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), the sister “tokenized assets” platform of the SIX Swiss Exchange, Switzerland’s main stock exchange, “in early June.” The token-based invoices, which had an issuance volume of 64 million francs (around £56.6 million/$71.6 million), had a duration of one week.

The Helvetia project, which is already in its third phase, will be continued for “at least another two years” and its scope “expanded”, the Central Bank also announced. The third phase, which began in December 2023, was due to end at the end of this month (June 2024).

The pilot program allowed the National Bank to “play a leading role globally in the implementation of wholesale CBDCs in a live production environment,” the central bank said, adding that it “hopes that additional financial institutions participate over time and that wholesale CBDC can be made available for a broader range of financial transactions.”

The next steps of the Helvetia Project

The first Helvetia project The report, published in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub, was published in December 2020. second phase added commercial banks to the experiment, integrated wCBDC into the core banking systems of the central bank and commercial banks, and executed transactions “from start to finish.”

The third phase (“Project Helvetia III”) saw the SNB move its wholesale CBDC business from test environments to production, with banks transacting on SDX as intermediaries for issuers and investors. The BIS was not involved at this stage.

The cantons of Basel-Stadt and Zurich, the cities of Lugano and St. Gallen, as well as UBS and the World Bank they each issued a bond via SDX as part of phase three. The participating banks were Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Basler Kantonalbank, Commerzbank, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank. The total value of settled transactions amounts to approximately 750 million francs (approximately £663 million/$839 million).

Regarding the proposed expansion, the SNB stated that “financial institutions will be informed in due course about the modalities of participation”.

“With the continuation of the Helvetia pilot project, the SNB is supporting innovation in the private sector,” the announcement continues. “The future success of the pilot will largely depend on whether new financial market participants join, whether transaction volume increases and whether further financial market transactions are settled on this platform.”

RELATED ARTICLE The Swiss National Bank puts CBDC into production for bond transactions – our news (7 November 2023) on the third phase of the Helvetia Project

“The foundations for the future of finance”

SIX/SDX published its announcement on the same day as the SNB press conference (June 20), describing the continuation of Helvetia’s pilot project as a “significant milestone, paving the way for broader adoption of the tokenized ecosystem” .

“This represents an important step forward in the digital transformation of the financial sector,” he said SEI CEO Jos Dijsselhof. “The pioneering use of wholesale central bank digital currency goes beyond improving the efficiency and security of financial transactions, it is the foundation for the future of finance. This project underlines our commitment to innovation and consolidates Switzerland’s position at the forefront of the adoption of digital assets in the capital markets.”

“A robust and scalable financial market infrastructure requires wholesale transactions to be settled in central bank money, the safest form of money,” said David Newns, head of SIX Digital Exchange. “To fully exploit the potential of blockchain, both the tokenized investment and the settlement asset must be on the same chain. The Helvetia III project demonstrated that SDX can meet these requirements.”

“The participation of major financial institutions and the issuance of six digital bonds to date, totaling over 750 million francs, settled in wholesale CBDC, highlights the market’s confidence in our digital asset infrastructure,” he said. continued Newns. “SDX continues to advance digital financial markets, with Helvetia’s ongoing pilot enabling more participants to adopt digital assets with on-chain [blockchain] Wholesale CBDC Regulation.

The SNB stated during its press conference that its activity related to wholesale CBDCs does not constitute a commitment to introduce wholesale CBDCs or SNB digital invoices on a permanent basis.

RELATED ARTICLE The World Bank issues wholesale CBDC-settled Swiss digital bonds – a news story (May 17, 2024) about the World Bank pricing the first Swiss franc digital bond from an international issuer – also the first Swiss franc digital bond from an international issuer to be settled using the World Bank’s wholesale digital currency central bank provided by the SNB

Testing of SNB bills

THE The SNB and the World Bank are also collaborating on the development of a prototype platform for the tokenization of financial instruments known as bills.

The trial, announced in January and expected to last at least 12 months, is led by the BIS Innovation Hub. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) participates as an observer.

The context of the initiative – so-called “Project Promise” – has been presented by the BIS Innovation Hub as having the potential to support the G20’s ambition to create better, bigger and more effective multilateral development banks by substantially increasing their financing capacity.

“Today, many international financial institutions (including multilateral development banks – MDBs) are partly financed by financial instruments known as bills of exchange, most of which are still paper-based,” explains a BIS Innovation Hub web page about the project.

“While the current system provides operational controls for member countries to make subscription payments and contributions to institutions such as the World Bank, the custody of outstanding promissory notes can be digitized to address operational challenges and improve efficiency,” reads the Web page.

Source

We are the editorial team of FinCrypt, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on FinCrypt, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Información básica sobre protección de datos Ver más

  • Responsable: Miguel Mamador.
  • Finalidad:  Moderar los comentarios.
  • Legitimación:  Por consentimiento del interesado.
  • Destinatarios y encargados de tratamiento:  No se ceden o comunican datos a terceros para prestar este servicio. El Titular ha contratado los servicios de alojamiento web a Banahosting que actúa como encargado de tratamiento.
  • Derechos: Acceder, rectificar y suprimir los datos.
  • Información Adicional: Puede consultar la información detallada en la Política de Privacidad.

Fintech

US Agencies Request Information on Bank-Fintech Dealings

FinCrypt Staff

Published

on

Summer Trading Network 2016

Federal banking regulators have issued a statement reminding banks of the potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to provide bank deposit products and services.

The agencies support responsible innovation and banks that engage in these arrangements in a safe and fair manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements may offer benefits, supervisory experience has identified a number of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer concerns with the management of these arrangements. The statement details potential risks and provides examples of effective risk management practices for these arrangements. Additionally, the statement reminds banks of existing legal requirements, guidance, and related resources and provides insights that the agencies have gained through their oversight. The statement does not establish new supervisory expectations.

Separately, the agencies requested additional information on a broad range of arrangements between banks and fintechs, including for deposit, payment, and lending products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of arrangements between banks and fintechs and effective risk management practices.

The agencies are considering whether to take additional steps to ensure that banks effectively manage the risks associated with these different types of arrangements.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

And get exclusive articles on the stock markets



Source

Continue Reading

Fintech

What changes in financial regulation have impacted the development of financial technology?

FinCrypt Staff

Published

on

Block Telegraph Staff

Exploring the complex landscape of global financial regulation, we gather insights from leading fintech leaders, including CEOs and finance experts. From the game-changing impact of PSD2 to the significant role of GDPR in data security, explore the four key regulatory changes that have reshaped fintech development, answering the question: “What changes in financial regulation have impacted fintech development?”

  • PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
  • GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
  • Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
  • GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology

When it comes to regulatory impact on fintech development, nothing comes close to PSD2. This EU regulation has created a new level playing field for market players of all sizes, from fintech startups to established banks. It has had a ripple effect on other markets around the world, inspiring similar regulatory frameworks and driving global innovation in fintech.

The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the EU law in force since 2018, has revolutionized the fintech industry by requiring banks to provide third-party payment providers (TPPs) with access to payment services and customer account information via open APIs. This has democratized access to financial data, fostering the development of personalized financial instruments and seamless payment solutions. Advanced security measures such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) have increased consumer trust, pushing both fintech companies and traditional banks to innovate and collaborate more effectively, resulting in a dynamic and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.

The impact of PSD2 has extended beyond the EU, inspiring similar regulations around the world. Countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada have launched their own open banking initiatives, spurred by the benefits seen in the EU. PSD2 has highlighted the benefits of open banking, also prompting US financial institutions and fintech companies to explore similar initiatives voluntarily.

This has led to a global wave of fintech innovation, with financial institutions and fintech companies offering more integrated, personalized and secure services. The EU’s leadership in open banking through PSD2 has set a global standard, promoting regulatory harmonization and fostering an interconnected and innovative global financial ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the EU’s PSD3 proposals and Financial Data Access (FIDA) regulations promise to further advance open banking. PSD3 aims to refine and build on PSD2, with a focus on improving transaction security, fraud prevention, and integration between banks and TPPs. FIDA will expand data sharing beyond payment accounts to include areas such as insurance and investments, paving the way for more comprehensive financial products and services.

These developments are set to further enhance connectivity, efficiency and innovation in financial services, cementing open banking as a key component of the global financial infrastructure.

Sebastian Malczyk

General Manager, Technology and Product Consultant Fintech, Insurtech, Miquido

GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy

Privacy and data protection have been taken to another level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), forcing fintech companies to tighten their data management. In compliance with the GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is processed fairly, transparently, and securely.

This has led to increased innovation in fintech towards technologies such as encryption and anonymization for data protection. GDPR was described as a top priority in the data protection strategies of 92% of US-based companies surveyed by PwC.

Arid Islam

Financial Expert, Sterlinx Global

Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation

Since the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pioneered sandbox regulatory frameworks in 2016 to enable fintech startups to explore new products and services, similar frameworks have been introduced in other countries.

This has reduced the “crippling effect on innovation” caused by a “one size fits all” regulatory approach, which would also require machines to be built to complete regulatory compliance before any testing. Successful applications within sandboxes give regulators the confidence to move forward and address gaps in laws, regulations, or supervisory approaches. This has led to widespread adoption of new technologies and business models and helped channel private sector dynamism, while keeping consumers protected and imposing appropriate regulatory requirements.

George Blandford

Co-founder, UK Linkology

GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

A big change in financial regulations that has had a real impact on fintech is the 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I have seen how GDPR has pushed us to focus more on user privacy and data security.

GDPR means we have to handle personal data much more carefully. At Leverage, we have had to step up our game to meet these new rules. We have improved our data encryption and started doing regular security audits. It was a little tricky at first, but it has made our systems much more secure.

For example, we’ve added features that give users more control over their data, like simple consent tools and clear privacy notices. These changes have helped us comply with GDPR and made our customers feel more confident in how we handle their information.

I believe that GDPR has made fintech companies, including us at Leverage, more transparent and secure. It has helped build trust with our users, showing them that we take data protection seriously.

Dr. Rhett Stubbendeck

CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning

Related Articles

Source

Continue Reading

Fintech

M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

FinCrypt Staff

Published

on

M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

Application Programming Interface (API) Infrastructure Platform M2P Financial Technology has reached the final round to raise $80 million, at a valuation of $900 million.

Specifically, M2P Fintech, formerly known as Yap, is closing a new funding round involving new and existing investors, according to entrackr.com. The India-based company, which last raised funding two and a half years ago, previously secured $56 million in a round led by Insight Partners, earning a post-money valuation of $650 million.

A source indicated that M2P Fintech is ready to raise $80 million in this new funding round, led by a new investor. Existing backers, including Insight Partners, are also expected to participate. The new funding is expected to go toward enhancing the company’s technology infrastructure and driving growth in domestic and international markets.

What does M2P Fintech do?

M2P Fintech’s API platform enables businesses to provide branded financial services through partnerships with fintech companies while maintaining regulatory compliance. In addition to its operations in India, the company is active in Nepal, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Bahrain, Egypt, and many other countries.

Another source revealed that M2P Fintech’s valuation in this funding round is expected to be between USD 880 million and USD 900 million (post-money). The company has reportedly received a term sheet and the deal is expected to be publicly announced soon. The Tiger Global-backed company has acquired six companies to date, including Goals101, Syntizen, and BSG ITSOFT, to enhance its service offerings.

According to TheKredible, Beenext is the company’s largest shareholder with over 13% ownership, while the co-founders collectively own 34% of the company. Although M2P Fintech has yet to release its FY24 financials, it has reported a significant increase in operating revenue. However, this growth has also been accompanied by a substantial increase in losses.

Source

Continue Reading

Fintech

Scottish financial technology firm Aveni secures £11m to expand AI offering

FinCrypt Staff

Published

on

Aveni, Investment Management, AI, NLP, UK

By Gloria Methri

Today

  • To come
  • Aveni Assistance
  • Aveni Detection

Artificial intelligence Financial Technology Aveni has announced one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish company this year, amounting to £11 million. The investment is led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Par Equity, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide.

Aveni combines AI expertise with extensive financial services experience to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry. It is trusted by some of the UK’s leading financial services firms. It has seen significant business growth over the past two years through its conformity and productivity solutions, Aveni Detect and Aveni Assist.

This investment will enable Aveni to build on the success of its existing products, further consolidate its presence in the sector and introduce advanced technologies through FinLLM, a large-scale language model specifically for financial services.

FinLLM is being developed in partnership with new investors Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide. It is a large, industry-aligned language model that aims to set the standard for transparent, responsible and ethical adoption of generative AI in UK financial services.

Following the investment, the team developing the FinLLM will be based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, in a state-of-the-art facility.

Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveniexplained, “The financial services industry doesn’t need AI models that can quote Shakespeare; it needs AI models that deliver transparency, trust, and most importantly, fairness. The way to achieve this is to develop small, highly tuned language models, trained on financial services data, and reviewed by financial services experts for specific financial services use cases. Generative AI is the most significant technological evolution of our generation, and we are in the early stages of adoption. This represents a significant opportunity for Aveni and our partners. The goal with FinLLM is to set a new standard for the controlled, responsible, and ethical adoption of generative AI, outperforming all other generic models in our select financial services use cases.”

Previous Article

Network International and Biz2X Sign Partnership for SME Financing

to know more

IBSi Daily News Analysis

cloud,

SMBs Leverage Cloud to Gain Competitive Advantage, Study Shows

to know more

IBSi FinTech Magazine

  • The Most Trusted FinTech Magazine Since 1991
  • Digital monthly issue
  • Over 60 pages of research, analysis, interviews, opinions and rankings
  • Global coverage

subscribe now

Source

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 FINCRYPT.INFO. All rights reserved. This website provides educational content and highlights that investing involves risks. It is essential to conduct thorough research before investing and to be prepared to assume potential losses. Be sure to fully understand the risks involved before making investment decisions. Important: We do not provide financial or investment advice. All content is presented for educational purposes only.