BIS, Technology Advancements in Finance: Quantum, AI and Green Initiatives 2024

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced six pioneering projects for 2024 to focus on: quantum security; A.I, green finance, etc. This move demonstrates BIS’ commitment to improving the resilience and efficiency of the global financial system in an increasingly digital and environmentally conscious era.

The six projects outlined by the BIS Innovation Hub are:

1. Project Leap (Eurosystem Center): Focused on “quantum proof” payment systems, this initiative seeks to protect financial infrastructure from potential threats posed by advances in quantum computing. The Eurosystem Center is leading this effort, emphasizing the importance of future-proofing payment systems in the digital age.
2. Project Symbiosis (Hong Kong Centre): Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data, this project aims to transform emissions tracking in supply chains, with a particular focus on Scope 3 emissions. This initiative highlights the important role of technology in combating climate change and promoting sustainable business practices.
3. Project Aurum (Hong Kong Centre): This project investigates privacy aspects of retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). It reflects BIS’s commitment to partnering with academics and privacy experts to balance digital currency innovation and user privacy needs.
4. Project NGFS Data Directory 2.0 (Singapore Centre): This project, which aims to improve the accessibility and usability of climate-related financial data, is supported by the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). It addresses the growing importance of climate risk in financial decision-making.
5. Project Promissa: Exploring the use of distributed ledger technology, this project tests the tokenization of promissory notes, a critical component in funding international financial institutions. This highlights the potential of blockchain technology to improve the efficiency and security of financial transactions.
6. Project Hertha (London Centre): This initiative applies network analytics to identify financial crime patterns in real-time payment systems and demonstrates BIS’s commitment to combating financial crime and strengthening the integrity of the financial ecosystem.

BIS Innovation Hub Director Cecilia Skingsley highlighted the importance of these projects, saying they reflect a commitment to the safety and efficiency of financial services in line with the principles set by G20 countries. The project builds on the completion of 12 initiatives in 2023, with eight more initiatives underway, demonstrating BIS’ proactive approach to addressing the challenges of the modern financial environment.

These projects are also consistent with BIS’s broader efforts to criticize cryptocurrencies, advocate for transparency reforms, and monitor complex securities, and further strengthen BIS’ role in promoting the stability and soundness of the global financial system.

As the financial world struggles with digital transformation and environmental challenges, BIS’ 2024 Agenda demonstrates its role as a leader in shaping the policies and infrastructure for a sustainable and secure financial future.

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