Liquidators are the hidden predators lurking in decentralized finance protocols waiting to snap up collateral at big discounts from the unwary.

The only way banks can fully embrace the blockchain technology now transforming finance is by dealing in cryptos.

Francesca Nenci, the recently appointed global head of trade finance at UniCredit, talks to Euromoney about the bank’s trade finance business and the client trends that will shape her approach to her new position.

While big banks and institutional investors spent years trying to bend blockchain for use in traditional finance, they missed out on the boom in crypto prices and the income from decentralized finance. Now, alarmed by stretched valuations and zero yields in conventional markets, they just want in. The race is on to build a sturdy infrastructure to support the stream of old money into new digital assets that could become a flood.

High net-worth individuals once eschewed cryptocurrencies. When Covid hit, many learned to embrace them. They see the danger of endless QE and the returns to be generated in the world of decentralized finance.

DeFi is not a strategic asset allocation for mainstream investors yet, but big gains on cryptos and now high yields are drawing in the front runners.

A joint venture between the Asia-heavy bank and a Chinese supply chain tech player aims to make trade finance an alternative asset class with digital efficiency.

A digital-only cryptocurrency artwork takes the non-fungible token virtual investment trend along a new track.

The closer central banks come to hard design choices over retail central bank digital currencies, the less clear cut the case is to proceed with them.

We are at the peak of the hype cycle for central bank digital currencies, now being touted as one of the most fundamental innovations in the history of central banking. It is time for central banks and governments to be honest with unenthused populations. CBDC can’t deliver all the many promised improvements. As we come to design choices, there will be trade-offs. We might get improved payments but less credit. We could see greater financial inclusion but will lose privacy. Are the few benefits really worth the risk of disrupting the financial system?

Corporates looking to acquire digital assets for treasury purposes need to take care in their accounting treatment.

There are hopes that the innovation will assist with financial inclusion. But is gold ownership the way to achieve this?