Distributed ledger
Banks find intriguing ‘data play’ via tokenization efforts
Tokenization is no longer just a peculiarity of the crypto world, as execs from global custodian banks discuss their firms’ tokenization and digital assets strategies.

Waters Wrap: As quantum’s skeptics grow in number, believers need better messaging
As you explore ways to use genAI, do you benefit from having ML and NLP experts on staff who have followed AI evolution for years? Anthony thinks that’s an important question when talking about quantum exploration.

New crypto Isins seen as ‘really important’ step for TradFi adoption
Execs at TP Icap and Societe Generale say the identifier removes a major barrier for crypto acceptance.

ASX, SGX earnings driven by diversified revenue
After the Chess disaster, ASX focuses on rebuilding confidence, while SGX continues investing in its derivatives business. Meanwhile, HKEx mulls data play.
Institutions see everything to play for in UK’s DLT sandbox
Industry welcomes flexible issuance limits, but rues derivatives’ exclusion as a missed opportunity.
Waters Wavelength Podcast: Broadridge’s Tyler Derr
Broadridge’s CTO Tyler Derr joins the podcast to talk about interoperability, blockchain, and other emerging tech.
Waters Wrap: Blockchain—let’s put the hammer back in the box
With the ASX Chess DLT failure and users ignoring DTCC’s DLT option for its Trade Information Warehouse, Anthony wonders what it will take for the industry to stop touting this buzzword for non-specialized needs.
DTCC’s blockchain for CDS trades finds no takers
Sources say the industry is not yet ready to fully adopt wide-scale implementations of distributed-ledger technologies.
Waters Wavelength Podcast: The case for DLT in post-trade
Jerome Kemp of Baton Systems joins the podcast to discuss DLT in post-trade.
Industry participants: ‘Digital Token Identifier’ aims to increase interop, usage
While some trading firms are welcoming the use of a new non-proprietary code for identifying digital tokens, the onus will be on local regulators to enforce its adoption.
Post-trade still struggling from underinvestment, but purse strings are opening
Bloomberg, Broadridge, BNP Paribas, and a handful of startups are working to address manual processes in the back office.
Waters Wrap: Big Tech, exchanges and a rapidly evolving market
Following LSEG’s partnership with Microsoft, Anthony talks with some industry participants to explore what this might mean for exchange tech going forward.
Blockchain startup Symbiont files for bankruptcy
Clients included American Century, Citi, State Street and Vanguard
Broken chains: how DLT code switch compounded ASX fail
Sources say that vendors will suffer the most in the fallout from ASX’s “paused” blockchain settlement project.
Waters Wavelength Podcast: Episode 257 (DLT loses favor)
This week, Shen and Tony talk about the usability of distributed ledger technology as a solution for capital markets firms.
Waters Wrap: ASX’s Chess DLT meets calamitous fate—what can be learned?
The future of exchange technology resides in the cloud…not blockchain. Anthony says ASX proved this with its Chess replacement project.
Waters Wrap: The buy side, the changing nature of buy v. build, and how fintech has evolved
Neal Pawar, the former CTO of AQR and current COO of Qontigo, chats with Anthony about some of the major trends that are changing how asset managers interact with the vendor community, and how this shift mirrors the most significant evolutions in capital…
Will there ever be one TR to rule them all? No chance…
A wave of regulatory reviews is renewing interest in unified data repositories. But Josephine says a centralized utility for trade reporting is never going to happen.
DLT could give FX its ‘Netflix moment’
Blockchain’s proponents say faster settlement times make the technology akin to TV’s streaming revolution.
Waters Wrap: Fintech funding—follow the money
As funding for startups and young companies dries up due to inflation and rising interest rates, Anthony looks at some of the vendors that have received monetary infusions this year to see if there are any patterns to be gleaned.
Retooling repo: How Broadridge, Bloomberg, Tradeweb, and JP Morgan are modernizing repurchase agreements
From brokers to trading platform providers, players in the repo market are focused on initiatives around reducing settlement fails, increasing automation, and streamlining operations.
Waters Wrap: After Symphony, David Gurle’s new opus looks to distributed cloud storage, compute
The creator of Perzo/Symphony has started a new company called Hive. Anthony chats with David Gurle to see how the startup will look to disrupt the cloud space.
Development bank aims for better settlement with blockchain prototype
R3 is among the companies working with the regional bank on a proof-of-concept to bring efficiencies to cross-border securities transactions.
Symphony brings Web3 to KYC with new ID service pilot
Symphony Communication Services is piloting an experimental ID service that uses Web3 and DeFi concepts to automate and reduce the burden of tasks like know-your-customer, onboarding, and reporting.