DTCC launches digital sandbox to innovate capital market infrastructure

DTCC unveils the Digital Launchpad, an open ecosystem sandbox for market participants to develop scalable solutions in collateral management with the first results expected in the first quarter of 2025.
DTCC unveils the Digital Launchpad, an open ecosystem sandbox for market participants to develop scalable solutions in collateral management with the first results expected in the first quarter of 2025.

The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has a sandbox.

The DTCC Digital Launchpad will be an open ecosystem where market participants and technology providers can launch pilots that will have a clear path to production. This comes after a successful proof-of-concept led by the Japan Securities Clearing Corporation (JSCC).

Sandboxes save participants money

The DTCC has invited a group of participants to the Digital Launchpad to develop initiatives that address critical collateral management pain points and lead to scalable solutions. Their results will be publicized in the first quarter of 2025. 

At the same time, DTCC clients will have access to the DTCC Digital Assets suite of products within the sandbox, allowing them to develop their own “use cases without substantial investment.” They can receive guidance and support from DTCC as they do so. 

Source: Nitin Gaur

Global head of DTCC Digital Assets Nadine Chakar said in a statement that DTCC was seeking to challenge the digital asset industry’s “siloed approach.” She added:

“The ultimate objective of DTCC Digital Launchpad is to bring the industry together to build production-ready, secure, and efficient digital market infrastructure and standards that will transform capital markets for generations to come.”

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Working toward better collateralization

The DTCC and JSCC completed a proof-of-concept for the Digital Launchpad. That project examined the potential role of digital technology in collateral management, focusing on central counterparties and successfully showing an improvement in speed and transparency. 

JSCC was able to mint tokens representing cash, stocks and bonds using DTCC infrastructure. Smart contracts were used to integrate margin calls and the deposit or withdrawal of digital assets, according to a white paper. 

Blueprint of JSCC proof-of-concept in the DTCC Digital Launchpad. Source: DTCC

In September, the DTCC and Digital Asset completed a pilot project called US Treasury Collateral Network on the Canton Network with 26 market participants carrying out 100 transactions.

In 2023, DTCC subsidiaries processed $3 quadrillion in securities transactions. Its depository subsidiary, the Depository Trust Company, provided custody and servicing valued at $85 trillion for securities issues from over 150 countries and territories.

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