Major Financial Firms Embrace Blockchain Technology, Accelerating Adoption
JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, and Franklin Templeton lead the charge in implementing blockchain systems, signaling a significant shift in the financial industry.
After years of skepticism, major financial companies are finally embracing blockchain technology and launching new systems built around it. JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, and Franklin Templeton are among the firms at the forefront of this movement, signaling an acceleration into 2024. While the use of blockchain in finance is still in its early stages, these recent launches demonstrate the industry’s growing confidence in the technology’s potential to revolutionize the global financial markets ecosystem.
Overcoming Skepticism and Building Trust
Blockchain technology has faced skepticism on Wall Street, especially in the wake of last year’s crypto implosions and scandals. To commercialize new systems for complex processes like settlement, financial firms need buy-in from regulators and other financial companies. The new technology must also prove its resilience and compatibility with existing infrastructure. However, recent developments show that the industry is gaining confidence in the capabilities of blockchain.
Franklin Templeton’s Blockchain Mutual Fund
Franklin Templeton, a $1.5 trillion asset manager, launched a mutual fund on the Polygon blockchain this year. The fund, called the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, had $329 million in net assets as of November. The launch of the fund on the blockchain took four years to implement, with a focus on building the necessary technology and gaining regulatory approval. The success of this project highlights the potential for blockchain to overhaul the financial system.
Staying Small and Building Momentum
While some financial companies are embracing blockchain on a larger scale, others are taking a more cautious approach. MoneyGram, for example, is staying small and gradually building its blockchain capabilities. The company launched money transfers via stablecoins in 2022 and plans to debut a non-custodial digital wallet in early 2024. MoneyGram’s CEO, Alex Holmes, explains that the company is scaling its blockchain efforts in proportion to revenue and profitability expectations.
Crypto Revival or Genuine Potential?
Skeptics argue that the excitement around blockchain systems on Wall Street is merely a cover for the need to keep digital asset teams busy with something less risky than cryptocurrencies. However, the approval of exchange-traded funds investing directly in Bitcoin by the US Securities and Exchange Commission could reignite interest in cryptocurrencies. Arnab Sen, CEO of crypto derivatives platform GFO-X, believes that the commercial benefits of tokenizing real-world assets are limited compared to the trading of Bitcoin as an asset class.
Signs of Life and Commercial Viability
Despite the skepticism, there are signs of growth and commercial viability in the blockchain space. JPMorgan handles $1.5 billion worth of transactions daily through its blockchain applications, including JPM Coin and a network for tokenized collateral. While this is a fraction of the bank’s total payment transactions, it demonstrates that blockchain technology is commercially viable. Other financial firms, such as AXA Investment Managers, are also exploring the use of stablecoins and tokenized assets on the blockchain.
Boosting Liquidity and Efficiency
One area where blockchain technology shows promise is in moving collateral and increasing liquidity. John Whelan, managing director for crypto and digital assets at Santander’s corporate and investment bank, believes that applications that move collateral via the blockchain have tangible benefits and can increase efficiency by freeing up locked capital. As the foundations of a blockchain network continue to emerge, the industry is on the cusp of scaling these applications and revolutionizing liquidity management.
Conclusion: The financial industry’s embrace of blockchain technology is gaining momentum. Major firms like JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, and Franklin Templeton are leading the way, launching new systems and applications built around blockchain. While challenges remain, such as regulatory approval and compatibility with existing infrastructure, the growing adoption of blockchain in finance signals a significant shift in the industry. As more companies embrace the technology, the potential for faster, safer, and cheaper transactions becomes increasingly tangible, paving the way for a re-engineering of the global financial markets ecosystem.