Deutsche Börse Group establishes new blockchain and crypto-assets unit

Stock market operator Deutsche Börse Group has set up a new unit to advance its efforts in the area of blockchain development and implementation.

The new unit, “DLT, Crypto Assets and New Market Structures”, is aimed at coordinating the blockchain initiatives on a Group-wide level. The 24-member team will be led by Jens Hachmeister, who said:

“Deutsche Börse has been active with the technology in a first phase of ideation and exploration. We invested in various initiatives to create a sound understanding of the trends, the technology and its potential within the traditional segments of our value chain.

“However, these explorative steps have not been coordinated on a Group-wide level. In order to use the full potential of the technology for our businesses, to generate efficiencies and create revenues, a centrally steered approach is necessary to make a greater impact.”

In March 2018, Deutsche Börse partnered with HQLAx to build an innovative securities lending solution using the R3 Corda blockchain platform. Taking a step further, it recently acquired a minority stake in the blockchain startup.

Other blockchain initiatives include the development of a blockchain solution to ease cross-border mobilisation of security collateral with the Liquidity Alliance, a blockchain prototype with Deutsche Bundesbank for settlement of securities, and a blockchain concept for riskless transfer of commercial bank money, among others.

“All initiatives in the field of DLT/blockchain will now be operated by one team, in a joint Group-wide approach. We will of course work in close cooperation with the business segments and IT and in close alignment with colleagues from Group Legal and Group Regulatory Strategy”, he said.