Fnality International can confirm that we are adding Adhara to our ecosystem of vendors as a trusted partner, specifically on the design, configuration and implementation of the blockchain elements. This is in line with our long term goal to pursue an open collaboration model for multiple partners for development of the Fnality Global Payments and associated software products. Adhara’s experience of working with Commercial Banks, Central Banks and Exchanges on Liquidity Mgt, FX and Payments provides broad input to Fnality at this stage of our journey. 

Blockchain is? Pick a headline: a) the global panacea for lots of ills, or b) all hype and more talked about than actually used. Does it matter? Unequivocally, it does. Well, at the very least, for those of us in Financial Services.

Is the DLT potential real, why haven’t we realised it, will we ever realise any of it? These are all questions worth examining. Here’s my view as we end 2019 and plan for progress in 2020. It’s a long piece; your feedback is really welcome.

Where’s the headphone jack on the latest iPhone? There isn’t one. If you want to use headphones, you need an adaptor. Compatibility is always a consideration when you try to take a big leap forward.

As we build out financial market infrastructures (FMIs) based on distributed ledger technology (DLT), face-to-face human interaction has much to contribute to the pace and direction of progress. This truth was self-evident at SWIFT’s Sibos 2019 conference, attended by 11,000-plus delegates at ExCeL London. I was privileged to moderate a panel discussion on the possible paths toward efficient digital cash settlement; a prerequisite step to realising new efficiencies, risk reductions and value in DLT-based financial markets.

We often read that we live in an increasingly polarised society, retreating too easily into digital echo chambers, inhabited only by like-minded souls. We also see divided opinions in the financial sector, such as over the adoption of technology innovations. When assailed on either side by fierce optimists and implacable sceptics, the pragmatist will remember that any new platform multiplies its chances of success by attracting a large and diverse range of participants.

Among the new technologies being explored, the crypto asset space is perhaps the most controversial. Certainly, it has earned many column inches, from Bitcoin’s surges in Q4 2017 and Q3 2019 to Libra’s recent launch. True...

Delivering a 'peer-to-peer' digital settlement asset for wholesale banking