In a groundbreaking move for the global financial landscape, 21X has launched its innovative exchange designed for tokenized cash and securities. This platform is being hailed as the world’s first to integrate smart contract-based matching and settlement, setting a new standard for capital markets under the supervision of regulatory bodies including BaFin, Bundesbank, and ESMA.
With notable industry support at launch, including partnerships with Chainlink, Circle, Polygon, and SBI Digital Markets, 21X aims to create a more efficient and accessible financial market infrastructure harnessed by blockchain technology. Other supporting firms on this transformative journey include ABN Amro, Apex Group, Future Processing, Stellar, and Tradevest. For a complete list of partners, interested parties can visit the official 21X website.
This significant announcement follows the successful introduction of 21X’s primary market in May, which featured the listing of the first tokenized note. The launch of the secondary market is seen as a natural progression toward establishing a fully operational and liquid trading platform, bridging the gap between decentralized finance and traditional financial systems.
Investors now have the capability to use stablecoins, various forms of digital cash, and fiat money for purchasing and selling tokenized assets on 21X. This advancement comes after the company participated in trials conducted by the European Central Bank, allowing for order matching and settlement within a mere two seconds, a stark contrast to the lengthy traditional settlement processes that can take days or weeks.
Differentiating itself from conventional exchanges, 21X democratizes access, welcoming a diverse array of participants including corporate clients, institutional investors, banks, and financial institutions. This inclusive approach opens the door to new business applications and use cases.
The platform prioritizes the security, compliance, and transparency standards familiar in traditional finance, while also establishing a new benchmark for trust, efficiency, and interoperability in the realm of digital finance. Currently operational on weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM CET, 21X plans to expand to 24/7 trading to better serve the global market.
Max J. Heinzle, founder and CEO of 21X, emphasized the transformative nature of the launch, comparing it to the “Spotify moment” for capital markets. He proclaimed that for the first time, security trades are settled in real time on a peer-to-peer basis, eliminating the need for central securities depositories or clearing services. Heinzle highlighted the potential to reduce participant costs by over 50% while promoting wallet-based access, whether through self-custody or third-party services.
He continued, stating that investors across the globe can now access their blockchain-based exchange, fulfilling the long-standing promise of digital securities—speedy transactions, minimized risks, disintermediation, accessibility, transparency, and significant cost savings. He noted that 21X is dismantling the barriers established by existing exchanges that restrict access to only regulated entities.
The company has successfully garnered over 30 exchange participant agreements, with more than 100 financial instruments from leading global issuers already in the pipeline. This momentum marks a turning point in the growing demand for tokenized securities worldwide, positioning today’s launch as the inception of 21X’s journey toward global expansion.
In closing, Heinzle expressed his deep appreciation for the collective efforts of the team, noting that their dedication has brought this ambitious vision to fruition. He also acknowledged the innovative spirit of employees, investors, partners, and key regulatory figures from BaFin, Bundesbank, and ESMA, whose collaboration has been instrumental in this success.
