Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has just released an in-depth 43-page report on blockchain, emphasizing that fragmentation risks among distributed ledger technology (DLT) networks could hinder the scaling and adoption of digital assets within the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
The report is co-authored by DTCC, Clearstream, and Euroclear, with consulting from Boston Consulting Group. It calls for increased data standardization, process harmonization, and clear role delineation among participants to avoid fragmentation in the still-nascent DLT space.
According to the authors, interoperability is a key factor in unlocking the full potential of digital securities, helping to simplify use cases, unlock new business models, and maintain liquidity, security, and transferability of assets.
The report is designed as a “neutral reference document” amid the growing application of blockchain in traditional financial systems. Tokenization—the process of bringing real-world assets onto the blockchain—along with stablecoins, is attracting significant attention. Last year, DTCC’s subsidiary, The Depository Trust Company, received a “no-action” letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing it to provide tokenization services for custodial assets.
However, DTCC warns that fragmentation among emerging DLT networks is becoming one of the biggest barriers to scaling. Without interoperability, assets risk becoming “stuck” within isolated ecosystems, operational costs remain high, and operational and regulatory compliance risks continue to grow.
To address this challenge, the report references long-standing standardization efforts in traditional finance (TradFi), including SWIFT’s messaging system and the International Securities Identification Number (ISIN). The authors identify five foundational areas that need standardization: assets and liabilities, ownership rights, asset lifecycle and transfer processes, ledgers, and legal and compliance frameworks.
According to Nadine Chakar, DTCC’s Managing Director of Digital Asset Strategy, interoperability is fundamental to scaling and adopting digital assets broadly. She emphasizes that participants should focus on data standards, common protocols, and robust risk governance to build bridges between TradFi and DeFi based on transparency, security, and trust.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Broadridge launches an integrated crypto and token-asset platform, supported monthly up to $8 trillion
Broadridge Financial Solutions has launched an integrated digital asset platform for Canadian wealth management firms, enabling companies to provide cryptocurrency and traditional investment services in a single system and addressing the issue of fragmented infrastructure. The platform supports a wide range of digital assets and includes compliance control tools to lower the barrier for institutions to enter the market. This comes at a critical time when financial institutions are competing for digital asset infrastructure, strengthening the platform’s market competitiveness.
MarketWhisper18h ago
Bernstein: The Bitcoin market has already priced in the risk from quantum computing, and developers have 3 to 5 years to push forward with a post-quantum upgrade
Bernstein’s research report states that the Bitcoin pullback reflects market concerns about the risks of quantum computing, and argues that the quantum threat is manageable and does not constitute a systemic risk. Current technological progress provides a cushion for Bitcoin, giving developers 3 to 5 years to push forward a post-quantum upgrade. Institutional investors will help drive consensus formation, but user migration remains the main challenge.
GateNews04-13 14:02
WisdomTree saw net inflows of $98 million of digital assets in Q1, with assets under management reaching $867 million
Gate News news, April 13, asset management company WisdomTree released a March monthly performance report showing that in the first quarter of 2026 its digital-asset net inflows totaled $98 million, and as of March 31 its digital-asset assets under management reached a record $867 million. The report noted that although the overall cryptocurrency market has been lackluster, WisdomTree’s digital-asset business saw significant growth thanks to the launch of tokenized money market funds. (Businesswire)
GateNews04-13 13:00
Saudi Arabia’s Crypto Market Projected to Reach $47.8 Billion by 2034
The Saudi Arabian cryptocurrency market is projected to grow from $24.9 billion in 2025 to $47.8 billion by 2034.
Key Takeaways:
SAMA is backing projects like mBridge to grow the market to $47.8 billion by 2034.
High youth interest in DeFi and gaming is fueling a 7.51% annual growth rate for
Coinpedia04-13 12:57
CoinShares: Net inflows of $1.1 billion into digital asset investment products last week, the highest single-week level this year
According to CoinShares’ research report, digital asset investment products recorded a net inflow of $1.1 billion last week, the highest in the year to date. Bitcoin saw inflows of $871 million, Ethereum inflows of $196.5 million, and XRP inflows of $19.3 million, with the U.S. driving the dominant inflows. Overall market risk appetite rebounded, reflecting investor demand.
GateNews04-13 09:52
VC professionals: There may be fewer than 20 institutions in the industry that are truly still investing in the seed round.
Varys Capital venture investment chief Tom Dunleavy noted that in the past six months, the crypto VC funding environment has changed significantly: well-funded projects are proactively coming to them, while most VC capital has run out or shifted to late-stage investments, extending the fundraising cycle to 2–3 months. Only a few institutions are still making early-stage investments, and in the future they may see investment opportunities on a historic scale.
GateNews04-13 07:31
