Credit Agricole CIB and SEB’s so|bond platform introduces new blockchain validation protocol to reduce environmental footprint

Credit Agricole CIB and SEB’s so|bond platform introduces new blockchain validation protocol to reduce environmental footprint

(IN BRIEF) SEB and Crédit Agricole CIB have launched a sustainable and open platform for digital bonds built on blockchain technology, called so|bond. The platform enables issuers in capital markets to issue digital bonds onto a blockchain network, improving efficiency and enabling real-time data synchronisation across participants. The platform also utilises smart contracts to enable issuers to raise capital and manage securities in an open, transparent, and secure model. The blockchain network uses a validation protocol, Proof of Climate awaReness, which incentivises participants to minimise their environmental footprint. The platform was developed in collaboration with IT provider Finaxys, and the environmental footprint is measured according to a methodology developed by APL Data Center and applied by SGS. So|bond is the first use case of this new blockchain technology operating under the Proof of Climate awaReness protocol in global capital markets.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 3-Apr-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Crédit Agricole CIB, the corporate and investment banking arm of Credit Agricole Group, the 12th largest banking group worldwide, is partnering with SEB to launch so|bond, a sustainable and open platform for digital bonds built on blockchain technology. The platform enables issuers in capital markets to issue digital bonds onto a blockchain network, improving efficiency, and enabling real-time data synchronisation across participants. The platform also utilises smart contracts to enable issuers to raise capital and manage securities in an open, transparent, and secure model. The blockchain network uses a validation protocol, Proof of Climate awaReness, that encourages its participants to minimise their environmental footprint.

Blockchain technology has the potential to modernise and digitalise the banking and financial services sectors through decentralised and efficient infrastructure. The so|bond platform will enable Credit Agricole CIB to offer a modern, innovative solution to issuers in capital markets, enhancing their capital-raising capabilities while reducing environmental impact.

The Proof of Climate awaReness protocol incentivises lower environmental impact across the life cycle of the infrastructure, addressing one of the main barriers to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology, its energy consumption. The protocol enables energy consumption comparable to non-blockchain systems and incentivises participating nodes to continually improve the environmental footprint of their infrastructures. Each node is remunerated for its efforts according to a formula linked to its climate impact evaluated with the Life Cycle Assessment ISO standard.

The platform and the blockchain technology were developed in collaboration with IT provider Finaxys, and the environmental footprint is measured according to a methodology developed by APL Data Center and applied by SGS, a world-leading certification expert. So|bond is the first use case of this new blockchain technology operating under the Proof of Climate awaReness protocol in global capital markets, offering Credit Agricole CIB an opportunity to lead the way in sustainable finance.

Romaric Rollet, Director of Innovation and Digital Transformation at Crédit Agricole CIB: “Crédit Agricole CIB is proud to contribute to the emerging market of digital assets. The platform’s innovative approach, both to the blockchain infrastructure and to the securities market, is coupled with the strong commitment to green and sustainable finance that is at the centre of our Societal Project. This is a key achievement, a part of Crédit Agricole CIB Digital Transformation Acceleration plan, and we welcome collaboration to convert innovations into possible market standards that better respond to our clients’ needs in an evolving regulatory environment.”

Anna Sjulander, Head of SSA DCM (sovereigns, supranationals and agencies debt capital markets) at SEB: ”The launch of the digital bond platform is an important step for SEB, and for the issuers and investors that join the platform, and will allow us to gain insights into what the innovative space of digital assets mean for the financial services industry. We see this as a great opportunity to learn what the future entails in terms of transparency, faster processing and operational simplifications, and will use a bond as the first stepping stone before expanding the use of the platform to other asset classes.”

About Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (Crédit Agricole CIB)
Crédit Agricole CIB is the corporate and investment banking arm of Credit Agricole Group, the 10th largest banking group worldwide in terms of balance sheet size (The Banker, July 2022). More than 8,900 employees across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa support the Bank’s clients, meeting their financial needs throughout the world. Crédit Agricole CIB offers its large corporate and institutional clients a range of products and services in capital markets activities, investment banking, structured finance, commercial banking and international trade. The Bank is a pioneer in the area of climate finance, and is currently a market leader in this segment with a complete offer for all its clients.
For more information, please visit www.ca-cib.com

About SEB
SEB is a leading northern European financial services group with international reach. We exist to positively shape the future with responsible advice and capital, today and for generations to come. By partnering with our customers, we want to be a leading catalyst in the transition to a more sustainable world. In Sweden and the Baltic countries, SEB offers financial advice and a wide range of financial services. In Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom, we have a strong focus on corporate and investment banking based on a full-service offering to corporate and institutional clients. The international nature of SEB’s business is reflected in our presence in more than 20 countries worldwide, with around 16,500 employees. At 31 December 2022, the Group’s total assets amounted to SEK 3,533bn while assets under management totalled SEK 2,123bn.
Read more about SEB at sebgroup.com

Press contacts:
Crédit Agricole CIB:
Maryse Dournes – + 33 1 41 89 89 38 – maryse.dournes@ca-cib.com
Sandra Claeys – +33 (0)1 41 89 16 54 – sandra.claeys@ca-cib.com
SEB:
Niklas Magnusson – +46 70 763 8243 – niklas.x.magnusson@seb.se

SOURCE: Crédit Agricole