W3BCLOUD, a joint venture between Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and ConsenSys, has completed its initial close of USD20.5 million in convertible notes from Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) and ConsenSys, along with several family offices in the United Arab Emirates. 

Vanguard and technology provider Symbiont, in conjunction with Bank of New York Mellon, State Street, and Franklin Templeton, are actively exploring the application of distributed ledger technology (DLT) to foreign-exchange forwards, bringing transparency and workflow efficiencies to the over-the-counter currency market. 

Vanguard, in partnership with technology provider Symbiont, has completed the first phase of a blockchain pilot designed to digitalise the issuance of asset-backed securities (ABS). 

The “new gold” is how the young asset class of cryptocurrencies is often described.  With miners virtually unearthing new ‘coins’ every day via a decentralised system that operates beyond the influence of government, it’s easy to see the attraction. 

Swiss crypto bank SEBA has launched a non-profit educational platform in the field of blockchain technology, digital assets, and crypto currencies in cooperation with three universities, called SEBAversity.

Tassat, a global provider of financial technologies and products for digital payments and digital exchange, has appointed Krishna Prasad as its new CEO.

AST has launched ProxyIQ, a blockchain-based proxy campaign management platform, which aims to provide mutual fund issuers with the best proxy campaign tabulation, reporting and predictive analytics, allowing for smarter, more cost-effective campaign execution.

With the adoption of distributed ledger technology (DLT) expected to grow in financial services, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), has published a white paper, Security of DLT Networks, that recommends establishing a comprehensive industry-wide DLT Security Framework to review existing security guidelines, gaps in the approach to DLT security, and the need for increased standards. 

Actinver, BNP Paribas, Citibank and JP Morgan are now live on CLSNet, a standardised, automated bilateral payment netting calculation service for over 120 currencies operating on a distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform. 

Former UBS veteran, Claude Waelchli, is to launch a US-based digital securities issuance platform, Tokenyz, which aims to modernise the legacy securities industry.