Collaboration to explore next-generation digital investment infrastructure, settlement innovation and institutional adoption of tokenised finance

Northern Trust and Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC), one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities to advance digital investment infrastructure and support innovation across institutional markets.

The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration focused on emerging technologies including tokenisation, digital assets, and enhanced digital cash capabilities. The parties will explore opportunities to improve transparency, operational efficiency, and connectivity throughout institutional investment processes.

The collaboration builds on the successful participation of both organisations in Project Acacia and reflects a shared commitment to understanding how digital technologies can transform investment operations, settlement processes and market infrastructure. Project Acacia, a joint research initiative led by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) is a collaborative industry effort focused on understanding how tokenized assets can function within today’s institutional market frameworks.

Through the agreement, Northern Trust and CSC intend to explore opportunities arising from innovations in digital money, including tokenised deposits, regulated settlement assets and other digital payment mechanisms. Areas of interest include liquidity management, settlement efficiency, and interoperability between traditional financial infrastructure and emerging digital asset ecosystems.

The organisations also intend to establish an ongoing knowledge-sharing framework to exchange insights on developments in digital financial markets, identify new areas of collaboration and contribute to the advancement of institutional adoption of digital investment solutions.

Justin Chapman, Group Head of Strategic Partnerships, Digital Assets and Financial Markets, Northern Trust, said: “The evolution of digital assets, tokenisation and digital money presents significant opportunities to modernise investment infrastructure and create more connected financial ecosystems. We are pleased to extend our collaboration with CSC as we explore how these innovations can support the future of institutional investing.”

Paul Abraham, Chief of Investment Services, CSC, said: “As long-term stewards of retirement outcomes for our members, CSC continues to explore innovations that have the potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and resilience across investment operations. This collaboration with Northern Trust provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of emerging technologies and their practical applications within institutional investment markets.”

Northern Trust unifies digital and traditional market functions to support clients navigating the fast-developing digital markets and challenges of investing in digital assets, alongside allocations to more traditional asset classes.

Source: Northern Trust