German Central Bank Tests Blockchain Trading Prototype

Germany’s central bank has built a new blockchain prototype focused on securities trading.

The Bundesbank developed the prototype in partnership with exchange operator Deutsche Börse, with further testing between the two sides planned over the next few months. The German central bank said today that the project constitutes the first joint initiative with Börse, describing it as “purely a conceptual study”.

The prototype is said to enable the transfer of both electronic securities as well as “digital coins”, as well as functions for coupon payments and the redemption of mature securities, using code from the Hyperledger project as a basis. Deutsche Börse is a member of that initiative, and has been exploring its own applications since early 2015.

According to the Bundesbank, the project is aimed at providing a basis for further exploring the use of the tech in the securities trading space.

Bundesbank executive board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele said in a statement:

"With the blockchain prototype, the Deutsche Bundesbank and Deutsche Börse want to work together to find out whether this technology can be used for financial transactions, and if so, how this can be achieved. The Deutsche Bundesbank hopes that this prototype will contribute to a better practical understanding of blockchain technology in order to assess its potential.”

The unveiling comes on the heels of a four-day conference hosted by the Bundesbank in Frankfurt. The event brought together regulators like the European Central Bank and startups like R3 and Digital Asset Holdings.

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