Bank of China’s Investment Bank Subsidiary BOCI Breaks Ground with $28 Million Digital Structured Notes on Ethereum Blockchain.

• Bank of China’s investment bank subsidiary, BOCI, made a groundbreaking announcement on June 12th, stating that it will issue 200 million Chinese yuan (approximately $28 million) worth of digitally structured notes on the Ethereum blockchain. This move marks a significant milestone for BOCI as it becomes the first Chinese financial institution to issue a tokenized security in Hong Kong. The issuance was facilitated with the assistance of UBS, a prominent investment banking company, which played a crucial role in originating the product for placement to its client base in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Ying Wang, the deputy CEO of BOCI, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the development, highlighting the increasing adoption of tokenization across various financial instruments. She revealed that UBS has been actively involved in expanding its tokenization efforts across structured products, fixed income, and repo financing. As evidence of this commitment, UBS had previously issued a $50 million tokenized fixed-rate note in December 2022, compliant with English and Swiss laws, and digitized on a permission blockchain.
• The introduction of tokenized securities by BOCI represents a significant step forward for the Chinese financial industry and showcases the growing acceptance of blockchain technology and digital assets. Traditional securities are typically issued and traded using paper-based or centralized electronic systems, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming. By leveraging blockchain technology, BOCI aims to streamline the issuance and trading processes, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.
• Digital structured notes, such as those being offered by BOCI, are a type of financial instrument that combine the features of traditional securities with the advantages of blockchain technology. Structured notes are investment products with a fixed maturity date, usually offering a return based on the performance of an underlying asset or index. They are designed to provide investors with a customized risk and return profile.
• By tokenizing these structured notes on the Ethereum blockchain, BOCI is leveraging the unique properties of blockchain technology to enhance the overall user experience and create new opportunities in the market. Blockchain technology allows for the creation of digital tokens that represent ownership rights to the underlying assets, providing a secure and efficient method of transferring and recording ownership. This digitization process reduces the need for intermediaries, simplifies settlement procedures, and enhances liquidity.
• BOCI’s decision to work with UBS on this initiative demonstrates the collaborative efforts being made within the financial industry to embrace blockchain technology. UBS, a well-established global player in the investment banking sector, brings valuable expertise and experience to the table. By combining their resources, BOCI and UBS aim to drive innovation, improve market efficiency, and offer new investment opportunities to their clients.
• UBS’s involvement in tokenization efforts is not limited to this collaboration with BOCI. The company has been actively exploring the tokenization of various financial products, including fixed-income instruments and repo financing. In December 2022, UBS successfully issued a $50 million tokenized fixed-rate note, compliant with both English and Swiss laws. This pioneering effort demonstrated UBS’s commitment to leveraging blockchain technology to transform the traditional financial landscape.
• The use of permission blockchains for tokenization provides an additional layer of security and compliance. Permissioned blockchains restrict access to approved participants, ensuring that only authorized entities can validate transactions and maintain the integrity of the network. This approach addresses concerns related to privacy, data confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• The issuance of digitally structured notes by BOCI and the collaboration with UBS highlight the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize the financial industry. The benefits of tokenization extend beyond the issuance and trading of securities; they also include increased market liquidity, improved transparency, enhanced regulatory oversight, and reduced operational costs. As more financial institutions explore and adopt blockchain-based solutions, the industry as a whole stands to benefit from greater efficiency, accessibility, and innovation.