ClearToken proudly participated in the FIA Expo 2024, one of the derivatives industry’s foremost global events. This premier gathering brought industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the future of finance, providing ClearToken with an excellent platform to present our vision for advancing financial market infrastructure for digital assets.

Representing ClearToken was Steve Briscoe, Co-Founder and CIO, who engaged with attendees to showcase how our central clearing and depository solutions will contribute to driving the institutional adoption of digital assets within institutional finance forward.

Key Highlights of ClearToken’s Participation

• FIA Innovators Pavilion Recognition: ClearToken was honoured to be among 10 fintech startups selected for the 10th FIA Innovators Pavilion, reinforcing our role in delivering transformative solutions for digital assets within the derivatives and futures markets.
• Joint Runner-Up Award: ClearToken’s innovative approach earned the distinction of joint runner-up in the FIA Innovators’ pitch competition, a significant acknowledgement reflecting our progress in bridging the gap between institutional finance and digital asset markets.
• Showcasing Central Clearing Solutions: Attendees experienced both our central clearing and depository platforms through an engaging showcase video at our booth. Key capabilities demonstrated included 24/7 operations, real-time risk management, scalability, and the seamless interoperability between digital assets and fiat payment systems.
• Collaborative Discussions Across the Market: The Expo offered an invaluable opportunity to engage with a breadth of participants, including market infrastructure providers, trading firms, prime brokers, and technology providers. Our discussions centred on the alignment of ClearToken’s solutions with industry needs, emphasising how efficient clearing mechanisms can reduce market friction and support safer institutional adoption of digital assets.

ClearToken’s Key Takeaways

Growing Institutional Interest: Conversations at the booth with traditional financial institutions highlighted rising interest in digital assets, and challenges. In particular, asset protection and legal certainty during periods of market stress emerged as key concerns. ClearToken’s solutions were widely recognized as addressing these gaps, paving the way for broader institutional adoption.

Current Infrastructure Limitations: Active market participants pointed out difficulties such as capital intensity and operational inefficiencies driven by fragmented liquidity pools in digital assets. Most agreed that ClearToken’s central post-trade infrastructure solves these problems and enables faster and safer growth for all participants.  

Clarifying Roles in Market Infrastructure: The Expo facilitated spirited discussions about the evolving roles within the digital asset market. Notably, ClearToken clarified its position relative to prime brokers, explaining that while prime brokers unify markets for their clients, ClearToken enhances their efficiency by enabling them to serve as General Clearing Members (GCMs). This model mirrors traditional finance structures and supports market growth. 

Looking Ahead

ClearToken’s successful participation at FIA Expo 2024 reinforces our role as a forward-thinking leader in clearing and settlement solutions. By driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and delivering cutting-edge solutions, ClearToken continues to shape the future of the derivatives industry.

To those who visited our booth, thank you for your support and engagement. We look forward to building on these connections and sharing updates as we continue advancing financial market infrastructure.