The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and major telecoms firm Swisscom have developed an integrated, certified e-signature to legally authenticate blockchain-powered smart contracts. The news was reported by Swiss financial news outlet Cash today, Jan. 29. According to the report, a prototype for an Ethereum (ETH)-based smart contract was created by an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and engineers from ZHAW, together with Swisscom. The prototype was then designed to include an interface with a Swisscom-developed e-signature service, which can be used to replace the handwritten signatures that are required from all contractual parties under Swiss law. Once verified, the …

Enterprise blockchain software firm R3 has announced the launch of its Corda Network, which will be operated and overseen by a newly created not-for-profit organization, the Corda Network Foundation. The announcement was made in an R3 press release published on Jan. 16. R3 has to date reportedly gathered over 300 partners from across multiple industries — both the private and public sector — to collaborate on developing Corda, its open-source blockchain platform, as well as its business-oriented offshoot Corda Enterprise. The Corda Network will reportedly serve as a base layer of identity and consensus for all participants, and allow for …

CULedger, a blockchain consortium and credit union service organization (CUSO), has joined enterprise software firm R3’s global blockchain ecosystem. The partnership was officially revealed in a press release published Dec. 13. Based in Denver, Colorado, CULedger reportedly delivers blockchain applications to credit unions and their members, using the technology to improve cybersecurity and to mitigate fraud risks, as well as streamline administrative and operational processes to save time and costs. The firm also provides a specific blockchain-based identification solution for credit union members. As the press release notes, the consortium joins the R3 global network, which has, to date, reportedly …

A group of international banks in partnership with enterprise blockchain software firm R3 have completed a live commercial paper transaction based on blockchain platform Corda, Finextra reported Dec. 6. The transaction was implemented on the Corda-based Euro Debt Solution application developed by R3, with German banking and financial services company Commerzbank, French corporate and investment bank Natixis, and Dutch financial services firm Rabobank as the participant. In the course of transaction, Natixis reportedly issued 100,000 euro ($113,722) notional, while Rabobank acted as the incestor and ING as both dealer and escrow agent. Commerzbank developed the pilot framework, software and distributed …

Japanese financial services company SBI Holdings will partner with software firm R3 to expand local use of its Corda blockchain platform, Cointelegraph Japan reported Dec. 5. Quoting local news outlet Nikkei, the report reveals that SBI, which is involved in multiple cryptocurrency and blockchain-related activities, will expand on its existing investment in R3 to create a “joint venture” aimed at promotion. “Europe is the most advanced in blockchain product development,” R3 CEO David Rutter told Nikkei in an interview: “The new joint venture will strengthen the Japanese language service, and promote adoption.” The company added its R3 partnership would extend …

SBI Ripple Asia and the Japan Payment Card Consortium have announced a joint proof of concept (PoC) to combat fraud with blockchain technology, according to an official release published Nov. 16. According to the news release, the PoC will be conducted on R3's blockchain platform, Corda, and will aim to prevent damage wrought by fraudulent transactions by enabling the real-time sharing of data between parties using blockchain. The Japan Payment Card Consortium counts nine major credit card issuers – including American Express (Amex), Credit Saison and Toyota Finance – and two payment-card technology providers as members. SBI Ripple Asia is …

Global management consultancy firm Accenture revealed a new blockchain tool in a press release Oct. 22, its second in a month focusing on interoperability. A week after announcing a supply chain partnership with Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank, Accenture said its latest offering facilitated existing enterprise blockchain systems to integrate with one another. Specifically, blockchain platform Digital Asset can now work in tandem with R3’s Corda platform, while Hyperledger Fabric and JPMorgan’s Quorum form another interoperable pair. Discussing the two separate solutions, which the company has already tested, managing director and Global Blockchain Lead David Treat described them as a “game …

The largest port in Europe, the Port of Rotterdam, has partnered with major Dutch bank ABN AMRO and the IT subsidiary of Samsung to test blockchain for shipping, a press-release from Samsung reports Monday, Oct. 22. According to Samsung SDS – the IT and tech division created by Korean tech giant Samsung – the trial will focus on shipping containers from an unnamed factory in Asia to the port of Rotterdam. The first test will be completed by the three above-mentioned parties, with plans to later open the network to other companies. As per the Port of Rotterdam’s official announcement, …

U.K.-based bank Natwest will integrate a new blockchain platform based on R3 Corda technology for use in the syndicated loans market, financial news platform Mondovisione reports today, October 18. The new platform, dubbed “Fusion LenderComm,” was developed by blockchain consortium R3 and fintech enterprise Finastra, and aims to streamline the global market for syndicated loans — loans whose size or degree of risk means that more than one lender underwrites them, as part of a “syndicate” of two or more financial institutions. Natwest’s move comes roughly a year after a pilot of the platform was undertaken with participation from several …

Global management consultancy firm Accenture announced it had partnered with a subsidiary of Thailand’s oldest bank on a new blockchain tool aimed at supply chains in a press release Wednesday, Oct. 17. In the latest implementation of the technology for Accenture, the company partnered with Siam Commercial Bank’s fintech subsidiary Digital Ventures Co. Ltd on the blockchain solution, which has already gone live with its first clients. Known as Procure-to-Pay or B2P, it leverages R3’s Corda technology as its basis, the release confirms. Divyesh Vithlani, head of Accenture’s Financial Services practice in the ASEAN region commented: “The most exciting part …

The Italian Banking Association (ABI) has revealed they successfully passed the initial phase of testing their blockchain-powered interbank system, Italian financial media outlet Ansa reported September 29. By applying distributed ledger technology (DLT), the group of 14 Italian banks is planning to improve interbanking processes. Specifically, the association intends to boost the processing time of operations, increase the transparency of banking information, and enable the verification and exchange of information directly within the application. According to local Italian source Corriere Nazionale, the application of blockchain technology will also assist in specific aspects of banking operations that usually involve a number …

The Saudi British Bank (SABB) has become the first Saudi bank to join enterprise software firm and global banking consortium R3’s blockchain ecosystem, local news outlet Trade Arabia reports today, September 11. SABB enjoys a strong reputation, having reportedly been named by Global Finance magazine as the “Best Trade Finance Bank” in Saudi Arabia for the 10th consecutive year, “Best Supply Chain Finance Bank” in the Middle East for 2018, as well as Saudi’s “2018 Best Trade Finance Bank” for the 2nd year running. The bank joins R3’s efforts to enlist a broad spectrum of partners and members from different …