Institutional Briefing

A weekly digest giving institutional teams the context
and analysis behind major developments in tokenization, stablecoins, and the institutional adoption of digital assets.

Archive

Aug 20, 2026

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5 min read

SEC Opens BENJI to Franklin Templeton’s Own Funds

The no-action letter lets Franklin's mutual funds and ETFs park cash in its $726 million tokenized money market fund, and sets the first template for blockchain-based fund ownership under the 1940 Act.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jul 23, 2026

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6 min read

Visa Launches Stablecoin Platform for Financial Institutions

Last week, payments giant Visa introduced its Visa Stablecoin Platform (VSP), designed to help financial institutions and enterprises hold, move, and manage stablecoins through a single Visa-managed environment. The platform will initially support Open USD (OUSD) and launch in beta to a limited group of customers.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jul 16, 2026

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6 min read

Swift Opens Its Shared Ledger to Initial Use With 17 Banks

Swift said its blockchain-based ledger is ready for initial use, with 17 banks preparing live pilots for tokenised deposit payments. The ledger coordinates what banks owe each other, but leaves final settlement on existing rails.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jul 9, 2026

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6 min read

UK FCA Finalizes Long-Awaited Crypto Rules

Last week, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its final rules for regulating crypto-assets and stablecoins. The regime covers trading platforms, custody, and stablecoin issuance, while rules for systemic stablecoin issuers are still being finalized separately and will fall under Bank of England supervision. The full framework will take effect in October 2027.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jul 2, 2026

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6 min read

Exclusive: CACEIS in Talks to Acquire Crypto Investment Platform Meria

According to Blockstories' information, CACEIS, the custodian bank of Crédit Agricole, is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Meria, a French crypto investment platform co-founded by Owen Simonin, better known as Hasheur, France's most popular crypto influencer.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jun 19, 2026

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6 min read

Citigroup Rolls Out Tokenization Service for Private Company Shares

Citigroup unveiled a new service to tokenize Digital Depositary Receipts (DRs) for private shares, with a listing on SIX’s permissioned blockchain network. The first transaction involved a Citi portfolio company and Kaleido, a tokenization platform that works with SWIFT, HSBC, and the BIS.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jun 12, 2026

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6 min read

Inside Eur.Bank: How Bancomat Brings Card-Scheme Rules to Stablecoins

What sets Bancomat apart from other banking initiatives is its ambition to position stablecoins as a scheme-based payment instrument, supported by a common rulebook, bank-led distribution, dispute resolution mechanisms, and reserves custodied on a pro rata basis across participating banks.

Louis Tellier, +1

Jun 5, 2026

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6 min read

Banca Sella Becomes Italy’s First Bank to Receive a MiCA-CASP Authorization

The license allows the bank to provide crypto-asset custody and transfer services, putting it in position to launch a regulated crypto offering for its clients later this year.

Louis Tellier, +1

May 29, 2026

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6 min read

Qivalis Momentum: To What Extent Could It Reshape the Euro Stablecoin Market?

We spoke with ABN AMRO, ODDO BHF and AllUnity about what the growing momentum around the Qivalis consortium means for the euro stablecoin market.

Louis Tellier, +1

May 21, 2026

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7 min read

Standard Chartered Brings Zodia Custody Back In-House

Standard Chartered acquires Zodia Custody, the regulated digital asset custodian it had incubated since 2020 through SC Ventures. By integrating the business into its Financing and Securities Services division, the bank is formalizing its role as a sub-custodian for banks and institutions in a market still dominated by crypto-native firms.

Louis Tellier, +1

May 14, 2026

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6 min read

DTCC Targets Full Launch of Tokenization Service by October

DTCC is rolling out its tokenization service in July with 50 institutions. The model is deliberately conservative: securities stay in traditional custody, while onchain entitlements move across chains.

Louis Tellier, +1

May 7, 2026

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6 min read

Exclusive: Qivalis Gains Momentum with 25 Additional Banks Set to Join

Last week, Blockstories reported that 19 banks had committed to join the Qivalis euro stablecoin consortium. Over the past days, that number has grown again, now standing at 25. There's also new details about the admission.

Louis Tellier, +1

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