The Bank for International Settlements Announces Six Pioneering Projects for 2024
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has unveiled a suite of six groundbreaking projects for 2024, signaling a significant leap in the integration of emerging financial technologies. These projects aim to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the global financial system in an increasingly digital and environmentally-conscious era.
Project Leap (Eurosystem Centre)
Project Leap focuses on “quantum-proofing” payment systems, aiming to protect financial infrastructures against potential threats posed by quantum computing advancements. Led by the Eurosystem Centre, this initiative highlights the importance of future-proofing payment systems in the digital age.
Project Symbiosis (Hong Kong Centre)
Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data, Project Symbiosis aims to revolutionize emissions tracking in supply chains, particularly focusing on Scope 3 emissions. This project underscores the critical role of technology in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable business practices.
Project Aurum (Hong Kong Centre)
Project Aurum delves into the privacy aspects of retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Collaborating with academic and privacy experts, it reflects the BIS’s commitment to balancing innovation in digital currencies with the need for user privacy.
Project NGFS Data Directory 2.0 (Singapore Centre)
Project NGFS Data Directory 2.0 aims to enhance the accessibility and usability of climate-related financial data, supporting the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). It addresses the growing importance of climate risk in financial decision-making.
Project Promissa
Project Promissa explores the use of distributed ledger technology, testing the tokenization of promissory notes, a critical component in funding international financial institutions. It highlights the potential of blockchain technology in improving the efficiency and security of financial transactions.
Project Hertha (London Centre)
Project Hertha applies network analytics to identify patterns of financial crime in real-time payment systems. This initiative showcases BIS’s dedication to combating financial crime and enhancing the integrity of the financial ecosystem.
Cecilia Skingsley, Head of the BIS Innovation Hub, emphasized the importance of these projects, stating that they reflect a commitment to safety and efficiency in financial services, in line with the principles set by G20 countries. The projects build on the completion of 12 initiatives in 2023, with eight more ongoing, showcasing BIS’s proactive approach in addressing the challenges of the modern financial landscape.
These projects also align with BIS’s broader efforts in critiquing cryptocurrencies, advocating for transparency reforms, and monitoring complex securities, further cementing its role in promoting stability and soundness in the global financial system.
As the financial world grapples with the implications of digital transformation and environmental challenges, the BIS’s 2024 agenda stands as a testament to its role as a leader in shaping policies and infrastructure for a sustainable and secure financial future.
