DTCC Acquires Securrency: Driving Digital Asset Adoption and Transformation

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp (DTCC) has made a significant move into the blockchain space with its acquisition of digital asset infrastructure firm, Securrency. Although the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, anonymous sources have reported that the purchase price was around $50 million. With this acquisition, DTCC aims to position itself as a global leader in bridging traditional industry practices with advanced digital technology to encourage the adoption of digital assets.

DTCC is a U.S. clearinghouse that provides clearing and settlement services to the financial markets, processing transactions and trades. While it may not have the same level of name recognition as the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, DTCC plays a critical infrastructure role that enables these exchanges to operate smoothly. In fact, it is the sole central securities depository in the U.S. and has been designated as a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU) under the Dodd Frank Act.

With an impressive $2.3 quadrillion worth of stock sales annually, DTCC is the largest financial clearinghouse in the world. This substantial volume of transactions highlights the firm's interest in the digital asset space, which has prompted its recent foray into the blockchain industry. Notably, Keisha Bell, DTCC's managing director of talent management and diversity, equity, and inclusion, has even joined the board of directors for FTX US Derivatives, the American derivatives arm of collapsed crypto exchange FTX.

Frank La Salla, the president, CEO, and director of DTCC, believes that this acquisition will provide the firm with the technology needed to drive market-wide transformation. By leveraging Securrency's digital asset infrastructure, DTCC aims to accelerate the acceptance and adoption of digital assets on a global scale.

Overall, DTCC's acquisition of Securrency signals its commitment to expanding its presence in the blockchain space. With its established position as the world's largest financial clearinghouse, DTCC is well-positioned to drive the transformation of traditional industry practices and pave the way for the widespread adoption of digital assets.