- Deutsche Börse AG plans to grow revenue by 10% annually until 2026, expanding through organic growth and acquisitions like SimCorp.
- The company will launch a regulated cryptocurrency exchange in 2024 and explore using stablecoins for digital securities settlements.
Deutsche Börse AG has unveiled its strategic roadmap leading up to 2026, aiming to reshape its business with a significant digital shift and revenue growth. The “Horizon 2026” strategy anticipates a robust average annual revenue growth of 10% by leveraging organic growth and strategic acquisitions, such as that of SimCorp, announced on Wednesday.
Embracing the Digital Asset Frontier
Deutsche Börse, a leading European stock exchange conglomerate, is actively embracing digital transformation. The group has publicized plans to initiate a regulated cryptocurrency exchange by 2024, reflecting a forward-looking stance in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.
With this move, Deutsche Börse positions itself at the forefront of traditional financial markets. Thus intersecting with the burgeoning domain of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. This initiative is not the group’s first foray into the digital arena. Deutsche Börse has previously ventured into the institutional sector of digital currencies by acquiring Crypto Finance in 2021, a significant step that cemented its involvement in the digital asset market.
The Broadening Horizons of D7 and Digital Securities
The D7 digital securities registry, a platform grounded in distributed ledger technology (DLT), stands as a testament to Deutsche Börse’s digital ambition. Despite its current centralized nature, the platform has seen the issuance of over 4,000 digital securities, amounting to upwards of €3 billion in value. A sizeable portion of these issuances occurred recently, propelled by an API launch that allows for enhanced automation, indicating a clear direction toward tech-enhanced financial services.
In its commitment to innovation, Deutsche Börse plans to expand the D7 platform’s reach from the German fixed-income market to Luxembourg and international territories by the second quarter of 2024. This expansion will include diversification of asset classes offered on the platform, moving beyond fixed income to encompass ETFs and other securities—Showcasing Deutsche Börse’s adaptability to market demands and its aim to streamline international securities trading.
Growth Beyond Borders and Asset Classes
With a strategic eye on the future, Deutsche Börse recognizes asset managers’ growing interest in tokenization. The recent acquisition of fundsDLT, a fund distribution platform based in Luxembourg, and its integration with the D7 platform exemplify the group’s resolve to lead in the tokenization sector. Deutsche Börse’s endeavors also extend to non-traditional investment domains, with investments in 360X, a platform targeting tokenized investments in art, music, and real estate. This diversification reflects a broader vision for digital assets, moving beyond cryptocurrencies and into the tokenization of various valuable assets.
The exchange’s pioneering work with HQLAᵡ, a collateral management platform supported by some of the world’s leading banks, underlines its commitment to innovation in digital asset management. By operating a critical infrastructure component for HQLAᵡ, Deutsche Börse solidifies its status as a trusted and essential player in the DLT landscape. Through strategic acquisitions, technological advancements, and an expansion into new markets, Deutsche Börse is not only preparing for the future of finance but actively seeking to shape it.
