distributed ledger technology (DLT) News

Gibraltar Introduces License for Fintech Firms Using Blockchain

Gibraltar’s financial services watchdog will introduce the world’s first bespoke license for “fintech” firms using blockchain distributed ledger technology (DLT) from next month in a bid to attract start-ups to the British overseas territory as it prepares for Brexit. The …

Two 23-Year-Old Students Win Blockchain Insurance Contest in Switzerland

A pair of 23-year old students, Hugo Moreau and Paul Nicolet, came out on top in the final round of an inaugural blockchain competition held in Switzerland. The two Swiss masters students at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) successfully …

Blockchain Is Littered with ‘Smart’ Contracts Gone Bad: Opinion

Smart contracts were supposed to revolutionize finance. So far, however, they have proven adept mainly at helping people lose their money. The digital contracts make use of blockchain technology to get around trusted intermediaries like banks. Let’s say you want …

Xceedance Makes Equity Investment in Startup Blockchain Specialist ChainThat

Xceedance, the provider of insurance consulting, managed services, technology and data sciences, announced a multi-million dollar “Series A” equity investment in ChainThat, a London-based blockchain specialist company serving the re/insurance industry. While the amount of the equity investment was not …

Allianz Develops Blockchain Prototype for Captive Insurance Program

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS) has successfully trialed blockchain technology for a global captive insurance program, which facilitates cash transfers between countries. AGCS’s Allianz Risk Transfer (ART) business has teamed up with EY (Ernst & Young) as blockchain …

Blockchain Industry Initiative, B3i, Expands with 23 New Broker, Re/Insurer Entrants

The Blockchain Insurance Industry Initiative B3i announced it has expanded with 23 new brokers and re/insurers entrants, which will help with B3i’s upcoming market testing program. B3i’s new entrants are: AIA, AIG, Aon, Chubb, Covéa, Everest Re, Gen Re, Guy …

EY, Maersk and Microsoft Create Blockchain-Based Marine Insurance Platform

Consultancy EY, data security firm Guardtime, Microsoft and ship operator Maersk have joined to build a blockchain-based marine insurance platform that will be the first real-world use of the nascent technology in the shipping industry. EY and Guardtime said the …

Blockchain Used as Settlement Mechanism for Cat Bond with Parametric Trigger

Financial markets are showing some signs of volatility these days after exceptionally low indicators since the start of the 2017. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, or VIX, is at its highest level this year. The VVIX Index, which …

Brave New World: 1st Reinsurance Product Heads to the Blockchain

Second of Two Articles There has been a lot of press – and perhaps hype – about blockchain and its potential to revolutionize the industry’s processes and ultimately improve the customer experience. However, the efforts of the industry’s B3i initiative …

What Is Blockchain and How Does It Work?

First of Two Articles While everyone talks about blockchain, also known as mutual distributed ledger technology, just a few people actually know what this technology can do and how it could someday revolutionize the re/insurance industry, just by streamlining back-office …