21X and ABN AMRO Complete PoC for Tokenized Securities Trading

21X, the first financial institution licensed to operate an EU-regulated exchange for tokenized securities, has successfully completed a proof of concept (PoC) in partnership with Dutch banking giant ABN AMRO. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in the development of blockchain-based capital markets ahead of 21X’s digital asset exchange launch.

The PoC demonstrated ABN AMRO’s readiness to participate in 21X’s on-chain trading infrastructure, showcasing the bank’s capabilities in tokenization, custody, and secondary market trading of tokenized securities. As part of the initiative, ABN AMRO issued an ERC-3643 token on the Polygon Amoy Testnet, which was listed by 21X as a trading pair with an ERC-20-based e-money token.

Using 21X’s on-chain order book smart contract, buy and sell orders were matched atomically and settled on the blockchain within seconds. This seamless transaction between tokenized cash and assets highlights the efficiency and cost savings of blockchain-based trading and settlement.

A Step Forward for Institutional Digital Asset Adoption

Max Heinzle, CEO of 21X, emphasized the importance of institutional participation in digital asset markets, stating:
“As part of our launch preparations, we are onboarding institutional participants. The PoC with ABN AMRO is a great example of raising awareness of the efficiency gains and cost savings that can be realized with our on-chain trading and settlement system.”

Heinzle further stressed the role of pioneering institutions like ABN AMRO in driving capital market innovation through blockchain technology.

Martijn Siebrand, Program Manager for Digital Assets at ABN AMRO, highlighted the bank’s commitment to advancing asset tokenization:
“Our partnership with 21X continues our pioneering role at the forefront of asset tokenization by making available tokenized assets for trading and settlement. Following our issuance of tokenized green bonds and the development of digital asset custody solutions, we are now adding secondary market capabilities through our cooperation with 21X.”

Expanding the Partnership to Live Trading

Following the successful PoC, 21X and ABN AMRO will expand their collaboration to the live trading environment upon the official launch of 21X in spring 2025. This partnership is expected to facilitate institutional access to tokenized assets and streamline the trading process for professional investors.

By leveraging distributed ledger technology (DLT), 21X and ABN AMRO aim to create a more efficient and inclusive capital market ecosystem. As Heinzle concluded, “By fostering collaboration, we aim to unlock new opportunities for investors, issuers, and intermediaries across the globe.”

About 21X and ABN AMRO

21X is a Frankfurt-based financial institution at the forefront of blockchain-driven capital markets. The company secured a license in December 2024 to operate a DLT-based trading and settlement venue, positioning itself as a leader in digital finance.

ABN AMRO is one of the largest banks in the Netherlands, providing retail, corporate, and wealth management banking services across Europe. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, ABN AMRO continues to drive the digital transformation of financial markets.

Image by Jan-Philipp Thiele from Unsplash

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