Below the Surface: How Canton Network Is Reshaping Capital Market Infrastructure
Infrastructure
The RWA market is evolving beyond simple asset digitization toward a wholesale reconstruction of global financial infrastructure, including clearing, settlement, and liquidity networks. While BlackRock’s BUIDL fund has reached a $2.5 billion market cap, the true structural shift is occurring through platforms like the Canton Network, which enables atomic settlement and 24/7 operations. Broadridge currently processes approximately $7.7 trillion in onchain repo transactions monthly, demonstrating that institutional-grade blockchain adoption is already live. The Hong Kong government’s HKD 6 billion digital green bond issuance further highlights the integration of issuance and distribution on a single ledger. By utilizing the Daml smart contract language, the Canton Network provides a compliant, permissioned environment that satisfies Basel Committee requirements for global banks. Major Korean institutions, including Shinhan and KB Securities, are now joining this ecosystem to capitalize on new security token legislation. This transition mirrors the internet's 1996 inflection point, where early infrastructure adopters are positioning themselves to define the future of global capital markets.
Key points
- ▸Broadridge processes $7.7 trillion in monthly onchain repo transactions via the Canton Network.
- ▸Onchain-issued assets reached $34 billion by May 2026, a 20x increase since 2020.
- ▸BlackRock’s BUIDL fund expanded to seven blockchains, achieving a $2.5 billion market cap.
- ▸Hong Kong issued HKD 6 billion in digital green bonds using HSBC Orion infrastructure.
Background
The Canton Network is a public permissioned blockchain designed specifically for institutional finance, utilizing the Daml smart contract language to ensure privacy and compliance. It enables atomic settlement, which allows for the simultaneous exchange of assets and payment, effectively eliminating counterparty risk. By operating outside legacy settlement hours, it allows financial institutions to move collateral and settle transactions 24/7.
Relevance
9.5/10