Euroclear, a leading European securities clearing and settlement firm, has made its first investment in Asia by acquiring a stake in Singapore-based blockchain infrastructure provider, Marketnode. This strategic move aims to bolster Euroclear’s position in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) as part of its broader expansion plans.
Strengthening Euroclear’s Position in APAC
Marketnode operates two platforms: Gateway, which offers tokenization services, and Fundnode, an investment fund infrastructure platform designed for transaction management, funds processing, and recordkeeping. Euroclear’s investment in Marketnode will enhance its FundsPlace platform, a “one-stop-shop” for fund services.
Philippe Laurensy, CEO of Euroclear for APAC, highlighted the importance of this investment, stating that it reinforces Euroclear’s commitment to business growth in Asia. Although the financial terms of the investment were not disclosed, Euroclear joins the ranks of other key stakeholders in Marketnode, including Singapore Exchange (SGX), state-owned Temasek, and HSBC.
Growing Stakeholder Network
HSBC joined Marketnode’s shareholder base during its Series A funding round in May 2023, while SGX and Temasek co-founded Marketnode in 2021. This growing network of stakeholders positions Marketnode as a leader in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
According to Temasek’s Managing Director, Pradyumna Agrawal, Euroclear’s investment is a testament to Marketnode’s potential in shaping global digital infrastructure, further solidifying its role as a blockchain innovation hub in Singapore.
Euroclear’s Blockchain Ventures
Euroclear’s move into Asia is part of its broader strategy to embrace blockchain technology. The company has been actively exploring digital assets and blockchain-based solutions for several years. In March 2022 and November 2023, Euroclear invested in Fnality, a blockchain-based payment solution. Additionally, it has been involved in other blockchain projects, including a partnership with Deutsche Boerse in 2019 and participation in a French central bank digital currency pilot in 2021.
In October 2023, Euroclear took part in a significant digital securities issuance, settling a €100 million World Bank bond. The company continued to explore securities tokenization through a collaboration with Digital Asset in October 2024.
