Monthly Update
Digital Securities Monthly Report – August 2020 Edition
Throughout August, digital securities and blockchain at large saw various positive developments. During this period, not only were regulators busy, both enforcing and amending laws, government agencies provided insight into future Central Bank Digital Currencies.
Regulatory Advances and Findings
From amending rules to better reflect modern investors, or cracking down on unauthorized service providers, August was a busy month for regulators. The following articles highlight a few of these moves, in addition to the future of Commissioner Peirce at the SEC.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)
CBDCs are, and will continue to be, a hot topic for the foreseeable future. A ‘digital dollar' has the potential to upend financial markets, and our very way of life. While nations, such as China, have received the bulk of attention to date surrounding the development of a CBDC, the United States has no intention of being left behind. August saw the U.S. Federal Reserve specifically comment on past and future actions surrounding its own research into this asset class.
Tokenizing Real Estate
Real estate is generally accepted as an asset class prime for an influx of technology such as tokenization. The potential is so great that various companies have developed platforms aimed solely at developing this sector. One example of which is Vertalo, and its recently established arm, dubbed ‘Vertalo Real Estate (VRE). Although just recently launched, August saw a licensing deal for its software, which will be used to tokenize in excess of 15 properties.
In The News
Archax Takes Big Step Towards Platform Launch with FCA Authorisation
With the digital securities sector being so young, there are still gaps to be filled by service providers. We have seen growth in tokenization platforms, custodial services, and now in secondary marketplaces.
August brought news that the hotly anticipated digital securities exchange, Archax, has successfully been awarded authorisation by the FCA to begin operations. Read More
“We have been talking to the FCA for a while and the application process has been a tough journey, but we are pleased to have now achieved our first significant milestone as we prepare to launch the UK’s first FCA regulated digital securities exchange later this year.”– Graham Rodford, CEO of Archax
Educational
What is Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)?
Technologies such as blockchain and DLT hold the potential to transform countless industries. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences. We recently took a look at what a few of these differences are, and the benefits that these technologies afford. Read More
Interviews
Eden Dhaliwal, Global Managing Director of Conflux Network
In this exclusive conversation, we learn more about a young and promising company – Conflux Network. From its expansion into North America and approach towards DeFi, Conflux Network Global Managing Director, Eden Dhaliwal, shares all. Read More
Around the Web
INX Security Token Claims Largest Crypto IPO to Date – Crowdfund Insider
With lessons learned from the 2017 ICO boom, investors are now looking for more regulated, and reputable offerings. As such, capital raises involving security tokens are quickly growing in popularity. August saw INX announce what is believed to be the largest ‘crypto IPO' to date. Read More