Distributed ledger
Fintech not a danger to banking, say IMF panellists
Bank of Canada deputy says banks should be ready to embrace fintech, as the benefits for grow; IMF fintech working group hosts first panel at Spring Meeting
DLT not ‘mature enough’ for eurozone usage, ECB says
ECB’s annual report explores progress with distributed ledger technology, emphasising it is still in its infancy; DLT could eventually be used for Europe’s payment and securities settlement systems
HKMA investing in digital currency prototype
HKMA continues to build on its DLT research through digital currency venture with commercial banks; previous projects show potential to improve efficiency and transparency
New paper examines central bank digital currency models
Bank of Canada experiment proves distributed ledger networks can be used to settle payments; paper examines the difference between retail and wholesale models
MAS’s Menon stresses importance of fintech regulation timing
Fintech needs regulation, but it should not “front-run” innovation, says Menon; regulation should “kick in” only when fintech risk “crosses a certain threshold”
Bundesbank president: blockchain brings benefits and pitfalls
Technology has the potential to make financial markets “faster” and “more efficient”; its introduction should be accompanied by regulation
BoE collaborates with fintech firms to enhance payment system
BoE establishes new fintech community to discuss developments in the industry; next round of proof-of-concepts to examine ‘interledgers’ and threat intelligence
MAS unveils new DLT plans for securities and cross-border payments
Success of initial project leads authority to launch two 'spin-off' projects, including a possible cross-border application of central bank-issued digital currency
Fed’s Powell warns of central bank digital currency impact on private sector
Powell says digital currencies issued by central banks could “stifle” private sector payment innovation, though he is confident DLT will have benefits for faster payments
BIS creates DLT analytical framework for central banks
CPMI working group lays out important questions for central banks when implementing distributed ledger tech for payments and settlement; access is a key concern
Esma sets out risks and benefits of DLT
Market participants should reach “clear decision” on use of technology, watchdog says
Bundesbank DL project not yet viable – board member
The conceptual study is “far from market-ready”, says Carl-Ludwig Thiele
Fintech is threatening universal banking as we know it – Carney
Carney highlights how fintech could threaten conventional banking through the provision of services; BoE governor also explores the pros and cons of a centrally issued digital currency
Swift creates distributed ledger proof-of-concept
Swift, in conjunction with Hyperledger working group, will launch private distributed ledger network to help banks manage their cross-border payments
RBI research arm tests blockchain for clearing, settlement
IDRBT releases white paper on the applications of blockchain, examining the benefits for the Indian financial sector; research group created proof-of-concept architecture to simulate clearing network
2016: The year in review
The past year was characterised by dramatic political events, and central banks did not always manage to stay above the fray; we look back at some of the biggest stories
French central bank reveals details of blockchain experiment
Banque de France teams up with a fintech start-up to run distributed ledger tech through Sepa; the results of project expected to be presented at a conference in 2017
HKMA launches fintech accelerator
In partnership with Astri, initiative will “nurture” talent to meet the growing need for fintech innovation in the region
BoJ and ECB collaborate on distributed ledger tech
The project will examine the possibility of running central bank infrastructure platforms in a DL environment; research will focus on payments and securities settlement
Central banks ‘critical’ in the development of blockchain
Large South African commercial bank examines what a central bank digital currency would look like, coining the phrase “sovereign blockchain”
Federal Reserve conducts in-depth study into distributed ledger technology
Central bank publishes first paper discussing the benefits of distributed ledger technology in the realm of payments, and clearing and settlement; use of DLT could address “financial frictions”
Bundesbank unveils blockchain settlement system
Prototype system able to transfer digital coins or securities as well as settling “basic corporate actions”; Deutsche Bundesbank to continue working on project to create a test concept
Central Bank of West African States to regulate national digital currency
BCEAO to distribute digital currency first in Senegal before rolling it out across the west African bloc; 'eCFA' developed by regional bank and Irish fintech start-up eCurrency Mint
BoJ's Nakaso: central banks must keep up with technology
Deputy governor says central banks must adopt new payment technologies to meet demand, though the BoJ is not planning to issue digital currencies at present