Finance

Top Institutions Point to Blockchain Interoperability as Critical to Asset Tokenization

New York, NY, June 6th, 2024, FinanceWire

Citi, Deutsche Bank, Mastercard, Northern Trust and Centrifuge provide insights on paths to secure, multichain asset tokenization for report produced by Axelar Foundation and Metrika

A group of leading financial institutions and Web3 innovators have contributed to an in-depth paper on a path to achieve interoperability for tokenized assets across public blockchains, private blockchains, and legacy systems. 

Published today, “Institutional Interoperability: How Financial Institutions Navigate a Multichain World” addresses how to achieve increased accessibility and liquidity for tokenized assets, with flexibility, privacy, transparency and scalability. 

Tokenized assets are on-chain representations of financial assets such as real estate, currencies and securities. A recent report authored by Boston Consulting Group and market operator ADDX predicts multi-trillion-dollar value in tokenized assets within the decade. All institutions participating in the paper emphasized the need for interlinked network models that embrace multiple blockchains, as well as traditional systems, in order to realize this potential.

Financial institutions Citi, Deutsche Bank, Mastercard and Northern Trust contributed insights to the paper in spotlight sections. Topics covered include descriptions of their projects in asset tokenization, points where they have implemented multiple blockchains, and potential requirements and challenges for blockchain interoperability. Web3-native innovators Axelar Foundation, Centrifuge and Metrika also contributed to the paper.

The paper acts as a road map for financial institutions developing tokenized-asset opportunities and facing a complex array of blockchains public and private, alongside stringent requirements imposed by clients and regulations. It was authored by blockchain analyst Emily Parker, based on a framework laid by the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Project Guardian in 2023. 

Contributors to the paper will be invited to discuss the paper’s findings in a panel event at Point Zero Forum in Zurich, July 1-3. To download the paper and sign up to request an invitation, readers can click here.

“Tokenized assets are by design interoperable, bridging assets recorded on off-chain ledgers with on-chain representations,” said Georgios Vlachos, director of Axelar Foundation and co-founder of Axelar protocol. “The question isn’t, how do we facilitate one such connection – it’s how do we facilitate potentially thousands of connections across on-chain and off-chain ledgers, in a way that’s secure, scalable and open.” 

“Multichain asset interoperability and servicing will in all likelihood become a necessity for securities service providers as their clients adopt different chains,” said Anand Rengarajan, managing director, global head of sales & head of securities services APAC, Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank. “It will be essential that asset servicers know how to address and service interoperability – between chains and with traditional processes – on a cost and risks-managed basis to enable sustainable growth that multiple chains can amplify.”  

“Northern Trust is preparing for significant growth in the share of its assets under custody that are tokenized on-chain,” said Alvin Chia, head of digital assets innovation for Asia Pacific at Northern Trust. “To provide the best services possible to our clients, we’ll need to participate actively in the blockchain ecosystem, connecting multiple blockchains with tailored approaches at multiple points.”

“Asset tokenization brings major advantages in access and liquidity – and with a modular, multichain architecture, it can also do a great deal to improve visibility and on-chain utility,” said Bhaji Illuminati, CMO of Centrifuge. “This is Centrifuge’s path to enable flexibility and scalability in the rapidly evolving RWA ecosystem.”

“Tokenized assets hold transformative potential for financial institutions, and interoperability in tandem with risk management is key to unlocking that potential,” said Nikos Andrikogiannopoulos, Founder and CEO of Metrika. “Effective risk management and ongoing surveillance ensure these digital assets seamlessly, reliably and securely integrate into existing financial systems, fostering confidence, accessibility, liquidity and innovation.”

About Axelar

Axelar is the Web3 interoperability platform, delivering the shortest path to scale on an open stack to connect all blockchains. Adopters include Uniswap, Microsoft and dozens of natively multichain startups, building applications to reach all blockchain users at once – 10X as many active users as the leading Web3 application environment. Axelar supports smart contracts on a cross-chain layer that is open, scalable and secure. Backers include Binance, Coinbase, Dragonfly, Galaxy and Polychain.

To learn more: axelar.network.

About Axelar Foundation

Axelar Foundation is a nonprofit established to support the growth and adoption of the Axelar network, a decentralized interoperability network that connects multiple blockchain ecosystems. Learn more at axelar.foundation.

About Centrifuge

Founded in 2017, Centrifuge creates better technology for financial products. Centrifuge provides asset managers a way to tokenize, manage and distribute their funds on-chain and investors better access to a diversified portfolio of high-quality tokenized assets. 

About Metrika

Metrika is the definitive industry leader in blockchain risk management, enabling you to proactively assess risks and guarantee compliance across digital asset services. Implement strategic risk frameworks, navigate regulatory compliance by jurisdiction, and shield your operations from emerging risks with ongoing monitoring and surveillance. Users can learn more at metrika.co

Contact

PR Director
Karla Vilhelem
MarketWaves PR
[email protected]
(754) 215-4315

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Equasens: 2024 half-year results

2024-09-27T16:00:00Z

Villers-lès-Nancy, 27 September 2024 - 6:00 p.m. (CET)

PRESS RELEASE

2024 half-year results

  • Group results impacted by weaker economic conditions and continuing investment efforts in H1:
    • Revenue: €108.0m, -4.1%
    • Current Operating Income: €20.9m, -24.1%
  • Net Profit attributable to the Group: €17.2m, -21.8%
  • Though with a profit margin that continues to be very positive:
    • Ratio of Current Operating Income (COI) to Sales: 19.3% on a reported basis and 20.0% like-for-like
H1 RESULTS (€M)2023
reported basis
2024
reported basis
Change / Reported basisExternal growthChange / Like-for-like basis
Revenue112.6108.0-4.6-4.1%-3.7-8.3-7.4%
Current operating income (COI)27.520.9-6.6-24.1%0.0-6.7-24.3%
Net Profit22.918.1-4.8-21.0%0.0-4.8-21.1%
Net Profit attributable to the Group22.017.2-4.8-21.8%   

The financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2024 were reviewed and adopted by EQUASENS' Board of Directors, chaired by Thierry Chapusot, on 27 September 2024. These interim consolidated financial statements were subject to a limited review by the Statutory Auditors.

_____

Results at 30 June 2024

H1 Current Operating Income / Division2023
reported basis
2024
reported basis
Change / Reported basisExternal growthChange / Like-for-like basis
Pharmagest18.414.1-4.3-23.5%-0.1-4.4-24.0%
Axigate Link4.64.4-0.2-4.9% -0.2-4.9%
e-Connect3.62.5-1.1-29.9% -1.1-29.9%
Medical Solutions1.30.0-1.3-100.0%0.1-1.2-92.5%
Fintech-0.4-0.10.369.3% 0.3-69.3%
Current Operating Income27.520.9-6.6-24.1%0.0-6.7-24.3%
  • PHARMAGEST division: a contraction in earnings reflecting lower sales and reinforced teams in Europe (COI/Sales: 17.2%)

The decline in the Division's operating income is mainly attributable to a reduction in sales in France in the configuration and hardware segment. In a persistently challenging economic environment, the Division continued to focus its commercial strategy on acquiring new customers and regularly rolling out new software and hardware solutions.
Despite this, recurring revenues were bolstered by the combined contribution of new SaaS offerings and contract indexation.
To accelerate the deployment of solutions in Europe, the R&D and sales teams continued to be strengthened.

  • AXIGATE LINK division: the profit margin remains high (COI/Sales: 28.6%)

Strategic investments to support the roll-out of SaaS solutions such as TitanLink for Nursing Homes in Europe, and the extension of homecare services, have temporarily weighed on the Division's results.

  • E-CONNECT division: current operating income declined in response to lower sales (COI/Sales: 45.4%)

As previously reported, H1 2023 sales and earnings were boosted by the announced discontinuation of sales of Application Reader Terminals.
The downturn in business in the first half of 2024 thus reflected the corresponding decline in sales.
Despite this unfavourable environment, the Division demonstrated its ability to adapt by maintaining a healthy profit margin based on tight cost controls.

  • MEDICAL SOLUTIONS division: a year of transition between the Ségur digital healthcare investment programme and a new software solution (COI/Sales: -)

Preparations for the Division's future involving the development of a new software platform and optimising the sales organisation led to significant investments which, in conjunction with lower sales following the end of the Ségur programme roll-out, weighed on the Division's results. Recurring revenues rose 13.7%, resulting in a gross margin of 72.8%.

  • FINTECH division: efforts to stabilise the business paid off in H1, with an improvement in earnings of €0.3m (COI/Sales: -)

Consolidated balance sheet highlights

  • Cash flow after interest and tax maintained a positive trend at €20.8m.
  • Financial investments, through acquisitions as well as capital expenditures, in particular for the EQUASENS private healthcare cloud, continued, with more than €16.0m committed in H1.
  • The net financial surplus at 30/06/2024 of €87.9m takes into account a change in presentation of IFRS 16 lease liabilities and put options for minority shareholders of €10.8m (recognised under other liabilities versus financial liabilities previously).

2024 outlook

  • The Group maintains its forecast for a return to revenue growth starting in the second half of 2024, and an acceleration in 2025 driven by current investments and an economic climate that looks set to improve, particularly for pharmacies in France.
  • The Group will continue to invest in R&D, infrastructure and sales forces in France and Europe in the second half of 2024. And while this will have a temporary impact on profitability in 2024, it should generate a return on investment from 2025 onwards.
  • With a strategy focused on patients and interoperability, the Group is ideally positioned to seize opportunities for external growth in France and Europe.

Financial calendar:

  • 1 October 2024: Presentation of H1 2024 results
  • 7 November 2024: Publication of Q3 2024 revenue
  • 6 February 2025: Publication of f Q4/FY 2024 revenue

About Group Equasens

With more than 1,300 employees, Equasens Group is today a key player in the European healthcare sector, providing software and hardware solutions to all healthcare professionals (pharmacists, primary care practitioners, hospitals, hospital-at-home programmes, retirement homes, health centres) in both primary and secondary care sectors.

With operations in in France, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and Luxembourg, Equasens Group today brings together healthcare professionals within a unique ecosystem in France and Europe benefiting people by making available the very best of technology.

Listed on Euronext Paris™ - Compartment B

Indexes: MSCI GLOBAL SMALL CAP - GAÏA Index 2020 - CAC® SMALL and CAC® All-Tradable
Included in the Euronext Tech Leaders segment and the European Rising Tech label

Eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (“Service à Réglement Différé” - SRD) and equity savings accounts invested in small and mid caps (PEA-PME).
ISIN: FR 0012882389 – Ticker Code: EQS

Get all the news about Equasens Group www.equasens.com and on LinkedIn

CONTACTS

Analyst and Investor Relations:
Chief Administrative and Financial Officer: Frédérique Schmidt
Tel: +33 (0)3 83 15 90 67 - [email protected]

Financial communication agency:
FIN’EXTENSO - Isabelle Aprile

Tel.: +33 (0)6 17 38 61 78 - [email protected]

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