Digital Bytes 18th March 2026
A weekly analysis of who, how, where and why blockchain technology, digital assets and the impact of AI are being used globally in various industries.
Stablecoins as monetary plumbing: how blockchain is quietly extending the global dollar system - Blockchain networks and stablecoins are evolving from speculative digital assets into the infrastructure that moves US dollar liquidity globally. Rather than replacing fiat currencies, they act as a programmable settlement layer enabling faster cross-border payments, real-time settlement and interoperable financial systems. Financial institutions are increasingly using these rails for treasury operations, liquidity management and tokenised assets. As digital assets become the monetary plumbing of finance, the US dollar economy may increasingly depend on blockchain infrastructure to operate efficiently and globally.
Self-custody is becoming a luxury: why that should scare you? - a balanced digital-asset strategy requires both custodial and self-custody solutions. Custodians provide regulated infrastructure, insurance and operational support that many investors need for trading, compliance and institutional access. Self-custody, however, preserves true ownership and control through private keys, reducing counterparty and systemic risk. Relying solely on one model creates vulnerabilities. By combining both approaches, investors gain convenience, liquidity and regulatory compatibility whilst still maintaining financial sovereignty and resilience in an evolving digital asset ecosystem.
Tokenised capital markets infrastructure: how the London Stock Exchange Group is connecting global exchanges through a network of networks - the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is positioning itself at the centre of tokenised capital markets through a “network of networks” strategy that prioritises interoperability between traditional financial infrastructure and distributed ledger systems. Its digital markets infrastructure and digital settlement house enable near-real-time settlement using tokenised commercial bank deposits rather than stablecoins. By linking UK markets with Asia through initiatives such as Project Guardian and integrating standards such as SWIFT orchestration and Chainlink CCIP, the LSEG is building the connective infrastructure for global liquidity, collateral mobility and interoperable digital exchanges.
Designing digital money for a fragmented world - digital money is increasingly shaped by national policy and regulatory design. Whilst authorities are converging on some core principles, they are diverging in how those principles are applied - with implications for organisations seeking to scale across borders. This article explores how regulatory divergence changes the way digital money needs to be designed, and what firms should do in response.
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