The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has unveiled its plans to launch a new digital asset business built on blockchain technology.
LSEG aims to create a digital market initiative by becoming the first major exchange to facilitate extensive trading of traditional financial assets through blockchain.
The London Stock Exchange Group is a significant financial institution headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
LSEG plays a crucial role in the global financial markets as both an operator of stock exchanges and a provider of financial market infrastructure services.
Blockchain technology is a decentralized ledger that securely records transactions across multiple computers.
This new model of recording and confirming data uses cryptographic techniques to ensure the integrity and immutability of the data.
Instead of relying on a central authority, like a bank, to verify and record transactions, blockchain relies on a network of nodes (computers) to reach a consensus on the validity of transactions.
Each new block of data is linked to the previous one, forming a chain, hence the name “blockchain.”
Blockchain Focus, Not Cryptocurrency
Details of the LSEG show that the project will not be designed around cryptocurrencies; instead, the underlying technology, blockchain, will be used to facilitate the trading of traditional assets.
Furthermore, LSEG plans to begin with private markets that lack sufficient transparency before engaging other asset categories.
This decision to build a blockchain-based infrastructure comes after a year of exploration to ascertain the market’s readiness.
In addition to this project, LSEG will establish a separate legal entity for its digital market venture, which should be launched in a year.
It has started interacting with regulators and governments to align with stated product and service guidelines.
Murray Roos, who serves as the head of capital markets at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), has stated that the exchange has been exploring the potential of utilizing blockchain technology in the context of financial trading for approximately a year.
He has mentioned that they have reached an “inflection point,” indicating that they are at a critical stage in their exploration.
The step taken by the LSEG is a reflection of the growing interest around the world in a more diverse and secure financial system.
Since the creation of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies that have created a multi-billion dollar market, financial institutions have followed through to see how they can capitalize on the technology behind the innovation.
