Calastone to Bring Mutual Funds Market Onto Blockchain in 2019
Calastone to Bring Mutual Funds Market Onto Blockchain in 2019
PR71349
LONDON, Dec. 4, 2017, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--
Calastone, the global funds transaction network, today announces that the
technology underpinning the core of Calastone's global transaction network will
be migrated onto a full blockchain-enabled infrastructure.
Calastone's network connects more than 1,300 financial service organisations
across 34 global markets processing over £80bn of trades and 7 million messages
each month, making it the largest global fund transaction network. Calastone
has transformed the funds sector, enabling frictionless trading by making it
possible for all trading entities and counterparties to connect, interact,
process and settle transactions digitally.
In June, Calastone successfully completed the first phase of its
blockchain-enabled distributed market infrastructure (DMI) proof-of-concept
(PoC), which saw Calastone test and verify the feasibility of using the
technology to create a global marketplace for the trading and settlement of
mutual funds. Today the company announces that 2019 will see the technology
underpinning the core of its network moving to a private and permissioned based
blockchain infrastructure.
The mutual funds market remains a sector challenged by operational
inefficiencies, cost and risk, often resulting in an inability to meet fast
evolving customer demands. The current requirement to replicate and reconcile
records across the value chain creates an overhead which dwarfs the benefits
already offered by Calastone's trading and settlement solutions. The move to
blockchain enables the firm's global customer base to plan for and deliver
major improvements in a controlled, measured way.
This migration enables Calastone to achieve the highest levels of operational
resilience and scale through the distributed, yet private nature of the new
blockchain infrastructure. The PoC has proven the performance capabilities that
enable the processing of transaction volumes and fund flows to be many times
greater than are expected today, demonstrating scalability of the new
infrastructure.
Julien Hammerson, CEO Calastone adds:
"As we build the business we consistently put innovation and customers first.
Our vision remains to work with the industry to reduce the overall total cost
of ownership by making it friction-free and increasing value for all market
participants. Our services have introduced significant operational and cost
efficiencies into the sector and as we scale our business for the future, we
are ensuring we have the connectivity and technology to continue to service the
increasingly sophisticated demands for efficiency, value and speed.
In making this first step using blockchain, we are providing our customers with
the requisite tools they need, to be future-ready. We are delivering a solution
that will not disrupt the current connectivity and interaction our customers
have with our network, rather putting them in pole position to make the step
change to the blockchain when timely and additive to their specific objectives
and requirements."
As an industry sector under increasing cost, operational and regulatory
pressures - with the advent of GDPR and the imminent introduction of MiFID II -
Calastone recognises that blockchain can provide much needed relief for the
funds market in reducing the cost of friction-free trading and the total cost
of ownership, whilst delivering the speed of service and regulatory
transparency, which will soon be a basic pre-requisite worldwide.
Ken Tregidgo, Deputy CEO, Calastone comments on the scale of opportunity
blockchain affords the funds sector:
"The funds industry is subject to increasing cost pressures, whilst investors
continue to demand increasing returns and regulatory transparency. The initial
shift we're making towards blockchain marks the first major step to addressing
these issues offering significant potential for the entire industry. Our
network already connects all market participants, from fund managers to
transfer agents and distributors, and introducing this new technology offers
significant potential for the future, for a friction-free and a more
streamlined process for all counterparties worldwide.
Whilst the potential for long term change is great, the migration path for
customers to take advantage of the future infrastructure will remain seamless,
enabling clients to move when they are ready. A blockchain-enabled marketplace
means alleviating operational inefficiencies, increasing performance and
generating greater savings - a win-win for everybody.
We're conscious that developing a better infrastructure, ready to meet the
future needs of the industry is a long process, though we're thrilled to see
the first stages of this come into effect and are excited about the
opportunities it will bring."
For more information on Calastone's blockchain-enabled DMI, please go to:
http://www.calastone.com/insights/a-brave-new-world-funds-europe-interview-with-ken-tregidgo/
About Calastone
Calastone is the largest global funds transaction network, connecting many of
the world's leading financial organisations. Over 1,300 customers in 34
countries and territories benefit from Calastone's services, processing over 7
million messages and £80 billion of transactions each month.
Our mission is to reduce the frictional cost of trading using smart technology
solutions and industry collaboration, lowering operational risk and enhancing
customer profitability through digitisation and automation.
Calastone is headquartered in London and has offices in Luxembourg, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Singapore and Sydney.
For more information, please contact:
FTI Consulting LLP
Ollie Bailey-Pratt / Darius Alexander
calastone@fticonsulting.com
Tel: +44-(0)20-372-710-00
Source: Calastone
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