May 25, 2018 - The utility settlement coin (USC) consortium plans to develop what we believe banks will welcome. This case study describes how the USC, launched by UBS and Clearmatics, will use decentralized blockchain technology to confirm financial agreements that are verifiable without the wastefulness of proof of work. Financial institutions could conduct business more safely because of real-time settlement, smart contracts, and enhanced risk management procedures using this new digital version of fiat currencies.

Apr 15, 2020 - This case study looks at Mt Pelerin, which works like a Swiss Army knife in the banking ecosystem. Its full-reserve custodian banking business model excludes on-balance sheet credits, which represents a shift from mainstream banking. Its Ethereum-based open source solution facilitates asset management and cuts ever-increasing compliance costs. It is a must-read for leaders of small to medium enterprises as well as financial service industry innovators.

Apr 30, 2018 - This research surveys the global landscape of regulatory frameworks, statements, and decisions, on blockchain-based token sales in the jurisdictions of the United States, Canada, Singapore, China, France, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Switzerland, and Gibraltar, with commentary on Malaysia, South Korea, Israel, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates. Its expert authors look at initial coin offerings and compare how different regulators are categorizing token sales in their attempts to balance the protection of investors with the stimulus of innovat...

Sep 30, 2019 - This research explores the disruptive effects of blockchain technologies on central banking and the financial services industry. Its author discusses Facebook’s proposed cryptocurrency Libra, and how the other FAANG companies—that is, Amazon.com, Apple, Netflix, and Google—might respond with their own digital tokens. He introduces five transformations—cryptoassets, the tokenization of everything, blockchains as state machines, a new model for identity, and the nine forms of decentralized finance. He examines the challenges that incumbents and innovators face during this transition; and he previews the world of financial services in th...

Feb 09, 2021 - This research project surveys what federal governments can do to exploit the next era of technology across their operations, within their economies and society, and with their allies and global partners. It focuses on the threats and opportunities facing the United States—including China’s increasing dominance in global supply chains and strategic innovation. It also speaks to challenges the new administration faces, and recommends five areas for immediate action: securing digital systems, citizen identities, and personal data; embracing cryptocurrencies and launching a digital dollar; transforming government services and culture; engagin...

May 05, 2020 - This project explores London-based start-up Nivaura’s commercialization of a regulatory-compliant blockchain solution—an ether-denominated bond, the first of its kind, with LuxDeco—for issuing and managing debt, equity, and structured investment products in the United Kingdom. The start-up’s solution freed market participants from legacy infrastructure and inefficient practices that added days and costs to new issues.