Barbados Stock Exchange to Launch Trading for Security Token Offerings (STOs) and Crypto Assets

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The Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE) will launch regulated Security Token Offerings (STOs) on its platform. BSE will work closely with Canadian fintech company Blockstation to design and implement trading solutions for STOs and crypto assets.

Managing director of BSE Marlon Yarde says,

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with Blockstation to accelerate our go-to-market strategy for security token offerings. We want to provide access to capital and liquidity for both local and international businesses through our International Securities Market (ISM).”

Blockstation, which completed a 60-day digital currency trading pilot with the Jamaican Stock Exchange, will provide an end-to-end solution for BSE.

Key features

Safe custody
Listing
Trading
Clearing and settlement of digital assets
Surveillance tools for regulatory oversight

Yarde says,

“Blockstation will assist in training and onboarding of users on the platform, followed by the launch of a live pilot.”

Marko M. Hafez, co-founder and president of Blockstation says,

“Not only will we power BSE’s listings and trading volumes, our turn-key solution will facilitate access to new revenue streams for the exchange.”

In 2018, Yarde expressed plans to make the stock exchange a designated offshore security market with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and to expand into other regions as well, including Canada and Hong Kong.

“In the UK, for example, we are in the process of filing applications to obtain recognized stock exchange status under section 1005 of the Income Tax Act in the UK.”

“We believe that Barbados’ double taxation agreement with China was strategically negotiated and therefore serves as a gateway for local and international companies to tap into the abundant capital present in South East Asia.”

Speaking last year at the BSE’s sixth annual conference on Corporate Governance and Accountability, Yarde said embracing the fintech revolution is the way to greater financial inclusion.

“Opening up the stock market for fintech is critical as this has the capacity to simplify a system which is currently structured too difficult for ordinary investors with little knowledge. This will benefit not only the regulator and the startups, but also the national economy and the drive to more financially inclusive.”