Citi Joins Forces with Avalanche Blockchain for FX Solution Trial

• Citi developed a blockchain solution for FX trading under Singapore’s Project Guardian, collaborating with T.Rowe Price and Fidelity International.
• The solution uses the Avalanche blockchain for streaming FX prices and includes smart contracts for trade execution and record-keeping.

Citi has developed a public blockchain solution for foreign exchange (FX) transactions, a part of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Project Guardian. This initiative marks a significant step in integrating blockchain technology within traditional financial systems, promising to revolutionize FX trading.

Collaborative Efforts and Technological Advancements

Citi’s collaboration with T.Rowe Price and Fidelity International has created a permissioned instance of the Avalanche blockchain. This development is a standalone effort and part of a broader engagement in digital assets and blockchain technology. Notably, T. Rowe Price, managing a hefty $1.3 trillion in assets, has been actively working on FX Swaps on Avalanche. This collaboration underscores a growing trend of traditional financial institutions embracing blockchain technology.

Shobhit Maini, Co-Head of Digital Assets for Markets at Citi, emphasizes the goal of this initiative: to improve all stages of the trade lifecycle. This extends beyond post-trade processes to include pre-trade and execution phases. This holistic approach aims at enhancing efficiency and transparency across the board.

Innovating FX Trading with Blockchain

The trial solution developed by Citi showcases a novel approach to FX trading. Spot FX prices for the USD/SGD pair were streamed to the blockchain using an oracle, facilitating bilateral messaging between trading counterparties. This method ensures that streamed prices are exclusively visible to the parties involved in the trade, enhancing privacy and security.

The introduction of smart contracts in this process is particularly noteworthy. These contracts could potentially automate the selection of the best price from a series of firm prices offered by a dealer, only executable for a limited duration. The blockchain records the trade once a price is selected, creating an immutable and transparent record. This automation and record-keeping are pivotal in reducing errors and enhancing the reliability of transactions.

Blue Macellari, Head of Digital Asset Strategy at T. Rowe Price Associates, highlights the significance of this application, seeing it as a crucial first step toward a fully integrated blockchain-based trading lifecycle.

Expanding Blockchain Horizons

Citi’s recent ramp-up in blockchain activities extends beyond FX solutions. The company launched the Regulated Liability Network, an innovative platform that combines central and commercial banks in a shared blockchain network. This network focuses on tokenized money and assets, indicating a significant shift in how financial institutions view and handle digital assets.

Furthermore, Citi unveiled its Citi Token Services in September, including a tokenized deposit pilot. The following month, it expanded its blockchain reach by going live on two smart contract platforms. These platforms cater to specific financial services, namely Chinese securities settlement and syndicated loans. This demonstrates Citi’s commitment to leveraging blockchain across various financial sectors.

A New Era in Financial Services

Citi’s foray into blockchain technology through Project Guardian and its subsequent initiatives marks a turning point in the financial industry. By harnessing the potential of blockchain, Citi is not only streamlining existing processes but also paving the way for more secure, efficient, and transparent financial transactions. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to redefine the landscape of global finance, ushering in an era of innovation and enhanced financial services.

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