Lloyds Banking Group has completed a landmark digital finance transaction executing the first-ever Gilt purchase using tokenised deposits. The transaction, carried out in partnership with Archax and the Canton Network, marks the first time tokenised deposits have been issued on a public blockchain in the UK — and the first global use of tokenised sterling deposits. How the Transaction Worked The transaction involved Lloyds Bank PLC issuing tokenised deposits directly on the Canton Network, a privacy-en ...

Core Insights - Barclays has made a strategic investment in Ubyx Inc., a clearing system for digital money, including tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins [1][2] Company Overview - Ubyx aims to create a global acceptance network for regulated digital money, emphasizing the importance of bank participation for par value redemption through regulated channels [3] - Ubyx connects multiple issuers with various receiving institutions in a common settlement environment, facilitating the ubiquity of tokenised money [4] Industry Context - The investment comes amid increasing interest in digital money forms based on tokens and public blockchain infrastructures, with regulatory clarity advancing in several jurisdictions [3] - There is a growing adoption of digital assets outside traditional cryptocurrency use cases, highlighting the need for interoperability among financial institutions [2][3]

Hong Kong's de facto central bank has begun facilitating real-value transactions using tokenised deposits and digital assets under a controlled pilot programme from Thursday, reinforcing the city's status as a fintech hub. The new phase of the Project Ensemble sandbox would enable seven commercial banks and 13 industry participants to settle tokenised transactions "faster, more transparently and efficiently", the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said in a press release on Thursday. The programme would ...

Core Viewpoint - Britain's largest banks are advancing plans to launch tokenised versions of customer deposits in 2024, following the Bank of England Governor's emphasis on prioritising this technology over stablecoins [1][3]. Group 1: Tokenisation and Pilot Programs - Tokenisation refers to creating digital representations of assets like deposits, which proponents argue can enhance transaction speed, cost-effectiveness, and security [1]. - Banks including HSBC, NatWest, and Lloyds have initiated a pilot program using tokenised deposits for payments in online marketplaces [2]. - The pilot, which also involves Barclays, Nationwide, and Santander, is set to run until mid-2026 and will explore applications in remortgaging and digital asset settlement [7]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment and Market Dynamics - The Bank of England has allowed banks to experiment with tokenised deposits under existing regulations, while the Financial Conduct Authority is not expected to finalize stablecoin regulations until the end of 2026 [5]. - The Bank of England Governor has expressed skepticism about stablecoins, suggesting they could undermine financial stability and take money out of the banking system [4][5]. - A senior UK banking official noted that while tokenised deposits may lack the brand recognition of stablecoins, they represent a significant technological advancement [5]. Group 3: Future Potential and Demand - HSBC's head of global payments solutions indicated that the new pilot addresses previous limitations of tokenised deposits, particularly their inability to interact between financial institutions, and highlighted strong client demand for cross-border transaction capabilities [6]. - The pilot is currently focused on domestic use cases but shows promise for international applications [6].