SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) announced today that it has secured regulatory approval from FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, to operate a  Stock Exchange  Stock Exchange A stock exchange, also known as a securities exchange or bourse represents is a facility where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities.This includes shares of stock, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other financial instruments. By extension, stock exchanges can also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividendsStock exchanges have developed into a permanent fixture in the financial market and some of the most visible entities in the entire industry. Nearly every developed country boasts a domestic stock exchange, with many varying in importance and size.The largest stock exchanges in the world as of May 2020 include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, EURONEXT, and Shenzen Stock Exchange. What Functions Do Stock Exchanges Perform?Stock exchanges have a variety of utility within the modern financial system. As its name suggests, a stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market.Another crucial element of stock exchanges is the prevalence of initial public offerings (IPOs) of company stocks and bonds to investors. This is performed in both the primary market and subsequent trading the secondary market.Not any company or entity can be included on a stock exchange. To be able to trade a security on a certain exchange requires the listing of specific securities. Trading on an exchange is restricted to certified brokers who are members of the exchange. The traditional image of crowded trading floors has waned in recent years to include other various other trading venues.This includes electronic communication networks, alternative trading systems and "dark pools" which have ultimately seen the migration of trading activity away from traditional stock exchanges. A stock exchange, also known as a securities exchange or bourse represents is a facility where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities.This includes shares of stock, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other financial instruments. By extension, stock exchanges can also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividendsStock exchanges have developed into a permanent fixture in the financial market and some of the most visible entities in the entire industry. Nearly every developed country boasts a domestic stock exchange, with many varying in importance and size.The largest stock exchanges in the world as of May 2020 include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, EURONEXT, and Shenzen Stock Exchange. What Functions Do Stock Exchanges Perform?Stock exchanges have a variety of utility within the modern financial system. As its name suggests, a stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market.Another crucial element of stock exchanges is the prevalence of initial public offerings (IPOs) of company stocks and bonds to investors. This is performed in both the primary market and subsequent trading the secondary market.Not any company or entity can be included on a stock exchange. To be able to trade a security on a certain exchange requires the listing of specific securities. Trading on an exchange is restricted to certified brokers who are members of the exchange. The traditional image of crowded trading floors has waned in recent years to include other various other trading venues.This includes electronic communication networks, alternative trading systems and "dark pools" which have ultimately seen the migration of trading activity away from traditional stock exchanges. Read this Term and a central securities depository for digital assets in Switzerland.

In an official announcement, SIX mentioned that the new approval from FINMA has enabled SDX to go live with a fully regulated, integrated trading, settlement and custody infrastructure based on  Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)  Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) A distributed ledger or distributed ledger technology (DLT) is a database that is shared and synchronized across a number of different devices in different locations. DLT networks effectively eliminate the need for a centralized authority to act as the network’s custodian. In its place is a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network as consensus algorithms to ensure replication across nodes is undertaken.The most common kind of distributed ledger network is a blockchain network. Blockchain networks are used to run most of the world’s largest cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.Benefits of Distributed Ledger TechnologyThe primary advantage of DLT is the lack of central authority. Each time a ledger update happens, every node constructs a new transaction. Subsequently, all nodes vote by consensus algorithm on which copy is correct. Once a consensus has been determined, all the other nodes update themselves with the new, correct copy of the ledger. This provides several inherent security advantages, achieved via cryptographic keys and signatures.The information stored in a distributed ledger is immutable, or unchangeable. This is because in order to make changes on the network, more than half of the devices that uphold the network would have to consent. This is a very effective defense against hacking and tampering, but it can also lead to difficulties when it comes to things like agreeing on software updates. As a result, unmet desires to update a blockchain network’s software has led to the creation of entirely new networks with new cryptocurrencies (i.e., Bitcoin Cash).Many industries have since branched out with DLT, including banks and multiple fintechs. The area continues to draw much research, and scrutiny. Many proponents of DLT see it as the future of finance, though this is far from a consensus perspective. A distributed ledger or distributed ledger technology (DLT) is a database that is shared and synchronized across a number of different devices in different locations. DLT networks effectively eliminate the need for a centralized authority to act as the network’s custodian. In its place is a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network as consensus algorithms to ensure replication across nodes is undertaken.The most common kind of distributed ledger network is a blockchain network. Blockchain networks are used to run most of the world’s largest cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.Benefits of Distributed Ledger TechnologyThe primary advantage of DLT is the lack of central authority. Each time a ledger update happens, every node constructs a new transaction. Subsequently, all nodes vote by consensus algorithm on which copy is correct. Once a consensus has been determined, all the other nodes update themselves with the new, correct copy of the ledger. This provides several inherent security advantages, achieved via cryptographic keys and signatures.The information stored in a distributed ledger is immutable, or unchangeable. This is because in order to make changes on the network, more than half of the devices that uphold the network would have to consent. This is a very effective defense against hacking and tampering, but it can also lead to difficulties when it comes to things like agreeing on software updates. As a result, unmet desires to update a blockchain network’s software has led to the creation of entirely new networks with new cryptocurrencies (i.e., Bitcoin Cash).Many industries have since branched out with DLT, including banks and multiple fintechs. The area continues to draw much research, and scrutiny. Many proponents of DLT see it as the future of finance, though this is far from a consensus perspective. Read this Term) for digital securities.

Through the recent authorization, SIX Digital Exchange can now offer efficient services in a secure and regulated environment. In addition to the recent approval, SDX outlined plans to invest in the expansion of the global digital financial ecosystem.

“The digitalization of financial markets continues apace, and while the final shape of the market is still evolving, this is an important milestone in providing institutional investors with a safe and robust infrastructure meeting all of the core requirements of a traditional exchange and CSD infrastructure. In this regard, the SDX approval process has proven to be an invaluable experience for SIX and for the industry as a whole,” Thomas Zeeb, Global Head, Exchanges & Member Executive Board at SIX, said.

In August 2021, SIX announced a partnership with VentureLab to support Swiss entrepreneurs. Earlier this year, the exchange launched a new dedicated segment to facilitate small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Digital Financial Ecosystem

Switzerland is one of the most important regions for global financial companies. The country has taken several initiatives for the digitalization of financial markets in the last few years. “This is an important milestone in bringing the digitalization of capital markets into the mainstream, but it is only the beginning. We will continue to work with our clients, regulators and other stakeholders to shape the markets of the future,” Zeeb added.

In its latest financial results, SIX reported a sharp increase in operating income during the first six months of 2021.