In a whitepaper issued through a press release earlier this year, the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) highlighted the principles governing after-trade operations of security tokens. Tokenized securities are digital types of securities used by firms to raise capital for their projects. They include equities and bonds.
These
guiding principles are targeted at regulators in the industry and other market
participants. They identify characteristics that are unique to security tokens
and their market structure.
Understanding the Role of DTCC
As the name
suggests, DTCC, an American capital markets firm, incorporates both depository
and clearing services. It has one depository and five clearing entities which
makes it the biggest financial organization involved in after-trade
transactions. DTCC aims at reducing costs, improving capital efficiency and
increasing speed in all its undertakings.
It is
worth noting that DTCC has dealt with after-trade processing for years. And so,
the involvement in regulatory and technological transformations throughout this
time has made it an authority in the crypto space.
DTCC facilitates
financial processes for various institutions. Its depository wing offers asset servicing as well as custody for securities in 131
nations whose value is approximately $57.4
trillion. In 2017 alone, its divisions managed securities dealings worth above $1.61
quadrillion. In addition, its Global Trade Repository wing manages more than
one billion messages monthly and about 40 million
over-the-counter positions each week via its trade repositories.
Objectives of the principles
DTCC is seeking new players that will work in accordance with its regulations. From the whitepaper, “If a Security Token Platform performs the same or a substantially equivalent function as an existing market infrastructure, thus exposing investors and other market participants to the same type of risk, the legal and other requirements applicable to that function should be the same regardless of whether the function is being performed by an existing market infrastructure or as part of a Security Token Platform.”
1. Streamlining Guidelines
In addition, DTCC intends to examine the guidelines behind after-trade operations of crypto assets to recognize, interpret and control arising risks. What then are the threats to crypto assets?
- Custody
Risk
It considers loss of securities because of reasons such as a custodian’s negligence, wastage, fraud, mis-administration, and scanty records.
- Principal
Risk
This deals with speculation that
the value of an investment will decrease below the investment amount. An
example of this is when an individual supplies a crypto asset but doesn’t get
paid.
- Operational Risk
This is the likelihood of loss because of failed systems. An example when an investor cannot access their securities.
2. Security and Stability
The relationship between Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and
after-trade processing calls for protection of market security. DLT facilitates the sharing of asset databases
through numerous geographical and institutional networks. Every participant in
a network can have a similar copy of this ledger. Changes in one copy would
therefore be effected in all the other ledgers.
DLT introduces features that are
easily distinguishable from the structure of traditional securities. This brings
about special requirements in the structure and implementation of after-trade
structures and relevant regulations.
But this is not the first time DTCC is getting involved in distributed ledger technology. In November 2018, DTCC started trials on its DLT-related credit derivatives. The trials which integrated 15 banks are expected to be done before this year’s first quarter.
3. Post Trade Duties for Organizations in Security Token Processing
In a previous press release, DTCC boss Mark Wetjen voiced the opinion that people concentrate on what occurs prior to a trade yet what follows afterwards is also significant, “when most people think of markets and the trading of an asset, usually they are focused on what happens before or to the point of execution of a trade. But what happens after a trade is executed is critically important and this issue has not been broadly discussed within the context of tokenized securities or crypto assets more generally.”
Wetjen went ahead to say, “the framework DTCC has developed identifies the key issues that we believe need to be addressed by those seeking to establish policy, rules or best practices to govern the conduct of entities providing post-trade services for crypto transactions. In our view, these issues are fundamental to protecting investors and establishing trust in the safety and soundness of security token platforms.”
The guiding principles come in
handy during the processing of crypto securities. The mandatory responsibilities
for every player involved in after-trade processing of any crypto asset include.
- Demonstrable
Legal Basis
It’s crucial to determine the law
that is most suitable to a platform’s user relationships and activities. Every
security token platform must therefore have an understandable and implementable
legal foundation for all material aspects of its undertakings in applicable
jurisdictions.
- Record keeping Requirements
Security token systems should reveal
how they protect the privacy of their documents while at the same time making data
accessible to third parties.
- Recognizable
Risk Management Systems
Every security token platform is
prone to risks that may arise from its structure. Therefore, a security token
organization must have a stable framework to manage all kinds of risks.
- Identifiable
Governance Structure
The token framework includes a
set of rules that govern its operations and prevent possible threats. The
governance structure in use relies on whether the platform’s network is permissioned,
‘permissionless’, or a combination of both.
- Distinguishable
Procedures for Settlement Finality
Everyone involved in security
markets has high hopes when it comes to settlement. The platform should provide
transparent and stress-free settlement when it comes to exchange of value, legal
and operational finality as well as money settlement.
- Resilience
Even with lurking risks, a
security token system should guarantee safety of assets. The strength in token
platforms has been of major concern because of the increase in cases of cyber-attacks
in the recent past.
- Asset
Servicing, Token Allocation and Custody
A security system together with its constituent elements must have procedures to manage risks related to transfer and protection of securities. The system’s bookkeeping practices should be transparent and effective in safeguarding the assets it is entrusted with. Even though there might be some initial risks in implementation, there is hope that the guiding principles will go a long way in facilitating the allocation and utilization of crypto assets. Additionally, they will eliminate use of middlemen.
Featured Image via BigStock.
