BoE Accelerator Will Focus On Blockchain Pilots – Bitcoin News

Posted: September 11, 2016 at 5:21 pm

The Bank of England (BoE) is ramping up its efforts to research and develop fintech and understand distributed ledger technology (DLT). During the recent launch of UKs FinTech Accelerator program, BoE chief cashier Victoria Cleland discussedthe firms technology options with blockchain protocol.

Also read:Bank of England: Digital Currency Can Raise GDP By Almost 3%

The BoE accelerator beganin London,focusing solely on R&D efforts in a working partnership with fintech firms. The program will develop innovative technologies on issues that matter to the Banks mission and operations, the company said.

Clelands speech focused around the banks intentions to explore fintech and distributed ledger technology. She said:

We also need to understand the technology options. Could, and should CBDC be delivered using DLT, and is this technology the best way to achieve the necessary scalability and resilience? What are the implications on privacy, and how could the rules for the operation of the distributed ledger be managed?

The bank has been interested in virtual currencies and blockchain technology for some time. In July, Bitcoin.com reported on its paper regarding a central bank-based cryptocurrency. The paper stated that a centralized crypto could raise the UKs GDP by almost 3%. However, in Clelands speech, she said she believes the technology is in its very early stages and the BoEshould explore its options.

DLT is still in its infancy, and there are numerous questions that need exploring. The Bank has already undertaken a proof of concept using this technology, and we are looking for new opportunities through our FinTech accelerator, Cleland said.

She added thatthe latest wave of fintech has brought high expectations, and a considerable amount of attention has been focused around DLT. There are projects in the works that could reshape the trading and settlements landscape, and peer-to-peer deposit and lending schemes could disintermediate incumbent banks.

The London accelerator is also working with Big Four global auditor PwC onits DLT proof of concept. TheBoE is also working with BitSight, which uses publicly-available bulk data to assess firms cyber-resilience and Privitar, that provides tools to anonymize and desensitize data. BoE seems to be focused on its DLT but says its also interested in other areas of fintech such as anomaly detection and pattern recognition with machine learning.

BoE seems steadfast onplaying a significant role within the blockchain landscape. Its recent reports, and Victoria Clelands speech, show BoE wants these technological developments to progress the banks infrastructure. With its London FinTech Accelerator program and existing distributed ledger network, the Bank is taking the necessary steps in order not tobe left behind.

What do you think about the Bank of Englands fintech and blockchain accelerator? Let us know in the comments below.

Source:BoE Chief Cashiers Public Speech, and IBTimes

Images via Shutterstock, and Pixabay

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