Blockchain
Nigeria’s NASD to Deploy Digital Securities Market by Leveraging Blockstation Platform Following SEC Rulebook
SEC approved rulebook following key demonstrations of Blockstation solution
Toronto, Ontario and Lagos, Nigeria–(Newsfile Corp. – June 14, 2022) – NASD OTC Securities Exchange is pleased to announce that it will soon launch a new Digital Securities Platform (N-DSP) through its new Master Agreement with Blockstation and regional partner TK Tech Africa, following the recent publication of the Securities & Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Digital Asset Rulebook.
An exchange specializing in capital formation for companies in West Africa, NASD expects the Blockstation platform to create a fast-track for issuers to tokenize their assets, raise funds, and connect with a global investor pool. Further, the platform serves all ecosystem stakeholders including issuers, brokers, custodian banks, depositories, regulators, and investors, providing secure, end-to-end functionality for the entire capital markets lifecycle.
“This agreement is a key part of our strategy to be the most innovative exchange for capital formation in West Africa,” says Bola Ajomale, NASD Managing Director and CEO. “By building the N-DSP on the Blockstation platform, we stand to create a secure, efficient and dynamic solution for issuers to tokenize, as well as connect with both brokers and investors more easily than ever before. More broadly, this cutting-edge technology furthers NASD’s mission to enable economic development in Africa through consistent innovation, fulfilling our commitment to our stakeholders and the Nigerian economy at large.”
The Master Agreement is the latest milestone in this initiative, following a successful pilot of the Blockstation platform in 2021 which involved NASD, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Stanbic IBTC Custodian, Capital Assets Limited, Afrinvest Limited, Greenwich Merchant Bank, Utica Capital, Anchoria Investments & Securities Ltd, and Coronation Merchant Bank. The pilot proved the system’s suitability to support end-to-end workflow for all stakeholders in full compliance with market integrity, KYC/AML, and other regulatory requirements.
Speaking on the collaboration between Blockstation, TK Tech Africa and NASD, TK Tech Managing Director Damola Akindolire expressed delight regarding the achievement of this critical milestone and highlighted how the new SEC guidelines will enhance investor confidence and market transformation.
“We are honoured to be directly involved with this process in Nigeria through NASD, and our strategic regional partner TK Tech Africa to advocate for the new digital asset rules,” says Matt Singh, Head of Business Strategy for Blockstation. “Considering Nigerians made over 274 billion dollars’ worth of transactions in e-payments in the first four months of 2022, Nigeria is in a perfect position to leverage blockchain-based investments for its citizens.”
As knowledge of digital securities is critical to the successful takeoff of the digital securities market in Nigeria, NASD and its partners will run the second of their enlightenment webinars Perspectives on Virtual Assets in the Capital Market on June 15 at 11am.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aG1MsW2wTTuSjEX0GHUgSQ
About NASD OTC Securities Exchange
NASD OTC Securities Exchange (NASD) is a Self-Regulatory Organization licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to operate an Over the Counter (OTC) securities exchange in Nigeria for Unlisted Public Securities. NASD manages Primary markets for new capital raises and Secondary markets for existing shareholder liquidity through its community of participants. Our service offerings are designed to deepen the capital market, enhance investor confidence level and ease the capital raise process for businesses.
NASD OTC Exchange is a member of the Association of Securities Exchanges of Africa (ASEA), Lagos Chamber of Commerce (LCC) and the Association of Securities Exchanges of Nigeria (ASEN).
NASD media contact:
Anthonia Uzoukwu
Head, Human Resource and Administration
081-3-9393151
[email protected]
About Blockstation Inc.
Blockstation is a holistic, blockchain-driven platform for the entire lifecycle of tokenizing, listing, trading, clearing and settlement of digital assets and securities within the regulated capital marketplace. As an ecosystem solution, Blockstation serves international stock exchanges and their network of broker-dealer, regulator and depository partners with turn-key, end-to-end functionality to incorporate digital assets into their book of business, empowering them to attract new issuers, generate increased trading revenue, and satisfy market demand for digital assets.
Blockstation media contact:
Michael Spiar
Communications & Education Manager
[email protected]
1-833-599-7180 X3
About TK Tech Africa
TK TECH AFRICA LIMITED is a technology company that is focused on using blockchain technology to digitize assets, create alternative asset classes and transform financial market transactions in Africa.
TK Tech Africa Media Contact:
Apata Akinfenwa
Business Development
[email protected]
234-1-4545873
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127144
Blockchain
Halving weakness sees $206 million exit crypto funds, Bitcoin miners pivot to AI
Leading up to Friday’s Bitcoin (BTC) halving, investors opted to remain on the sidelines rather than increase their exposure to cryptocurrencies. CoinShares’ latest report on digital asset fund flows reveals that crypto funds experienced $206 million in outflows last week, while trading volumes for Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) dropped to $18 billion.
James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, noted, “These volumes represent a lower percentage of total Bitcoin volumes (which continue to rise) at 28%, compared to 55% a month ago.” He attributed this decline in investor appetite to expectations that the Federal Reserve would maintain interest rates at elevated levels for a longer duration.
In terms of regional flows, the United States led the outflows with $244 million exiting incumbent ETFs by the week ending April 19. Butterfill highlighted that newly issued ETFs still received inflows, albeit at lower levels compared to previous weeks. Germany and Sweden saw outflows of $8.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, while Canada experienced inflows of $29.9 million. Switzerland, Brazil, and Australia also witnessed inflows of $7.8 million, $5.5 million, and $2.2 million, respectively.
Butterfill observed that although Bitcoin saw outflows of $192 million, there were minimal flows into short-Bitcoin positions. Ethereum (ETH) experienced outflows of $34 million for the sixth consecutive week. However, multi-asset funds saw improved sentiment, attracting $8.6 million in inflows. Additionally, Litecoin (LTC) and Chainlink (LINK) received inflows of $3.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
The report highlighted that blockchain equities sustained their 11th consecutive week of outflows, totaling $9 million, as investors remained concerned about the halving’s impact on mining companies.
In a separate analysis of the post-halving crypto mining industry, CoinShares analysts suggested that many miners might transition to serving the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, which has become more lucrative. They anticipated a shift towards AI in energy-secure locations, potentially leading to Bitcoin mining operations relocating to stranded energy sites.
The analysts projected a 10% decline in the Bitcoin network’s hash rate after the halving as miners deactivate unprofitable ASICs. However, they expected the hash rate to reach 700 exahash (EH/s) by 2025. As of the current data, the Bitcoin hash rate stands at 596.22 EH/s.
The report also noted that substantial cost increases are anticipated due to the halving, with electricity and production costs nearly doubling. Mitigation strategies include optimizing energy costs, enhancing mining efficiency, and securing favorable hardware procurement terms. Miners are actively managing financial liabilities, with some utilizing excess cash to significantly reduce debt.
Source: kitco.com
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Blockchain
NYSE gauges interest in 24/7 stock trading like crypto
According to reports, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is exploring the possibility of introducing round-the-clock trading, a model akin to that of cryptocurrency markets. In a bid to gauge market sentiment, NYSE’s data analytics team has circulated a survey among market participants. The survey seeks feedback on whether there is support for 24/7 or extended weekday trading hours and, if so, what measures should be implemented to safeguard traders against overnight price fluctuations. As of now, NYSE, alongside Nasdaq and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, operates from Monday to Friday, spanning from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Time.
In the United States, assets like cryptocurrencies, United States Treasurys, foreign exchange, and major stock index futures are already tradable 24/7. Certain brokerages, such as Robinhood and Interactive Brokers, provide access to U.S. stocks throughout the week via a “dark pool” trading venue, catering to international retail investors during their local trading hours.
However, recent reports indicated that Robinhood suspended its 24-hour trading services amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, prompting concerns among investors regarding the sustainability of continuous trading.
Effectively managing liquidity in a 24/7 trading environment has proven challenging for trading platforms within the cryptocurrency industry.
According to cryptocurrency research firm Kaiko, there’s often a mismatch between the operating hours of traditional financial institutions and the needs of major crypto traders and market makers. Traders frequently find themselves losing sleep during periods of extreme market volatility.
While the results of NYSE’s survey haven’t been revealed, Tom Hearden, a senior trader at Skylands Capital, conducted his own poll among his 19,300 followers, asking if they would support NYSE transitioning to 24/7 trading hours. Interestingly, over 70% of the 1,459 respondents voted “No.”
NYSE’s survey coincides with the efforts of startup firm 24X National Exchange, which is seeking approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the first exchange in the country operating round-the-clock.
The FT said, citing two persons familiar with the subject, that the SEC has “months” to study the proposed rule change, and other relevant issues, such who should shoulder expenses and the function of clearing houses, are already being considered by other stakeholders.
“How loud they will be playing in the middle of the night is unknown to me. However, the decision of whether something is commercially feasible or not actually shouldn’t be made by the SEC, James Angel, a Georgetown University finance professor, told FT.
“I support letting the market make the decision. We’re all better off if it succeeds, and the exchange’s stockholders lose out if it fails.
After the company withdrew an application in March 2023, alleging operational and technological concerns, it is the second attempt to receive SEC clearance.
Source: cointelegraph.com
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