Business View Caribbean | October 2022

30 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 9, ISSUE 10 its ISM. With a limited number of listed companies on the BSE, the bourse is looking internationally for listings for Barbados to be considered a Global Financial Centre (GFC). “The BSE ISM is where the Blockstation trading platform solution would be located,” explains Yarde. “After launch, we plan to pitch our digital assets platform to the global market and position the BSE as one of the most innovative exchanges in the world.” The BSE is working collaboratively with Blockstation to identify issuers in the global market. Blockstation already has two issuers interested in participating in the BSE’s digital asset marketplace. Creating Awareness and Driving Education Besides reaching out to international listers, the BSE is focusing on creating awareness among local retail and institutional traders so they can participate actively in the securities market. of which the FSC diligently subscribes to. “In integrating blockchain technologies within our operations, we must satisfy key ISOCO objectives,” Yarde says, “In particular, ensuring investor protection and reducing systemic risk in our capital market. Blockstation addresses these objectives by providing an end-to-end solution with token listing, KYC, AML, settlement, custodial requirements, and registrar components all built into the system.” In addition, the platform ensures the market for digital assets is fair, efficient and transparent, another IOSCO Objective. With all these requirements satisfied, including securing sign-off from the Barbados FSC, the BSE signed a Master Service Agreement with Blockstation in early 2022 to formally kick off the process. International Securities Market (ISM) Another significant initiative the BSE has undertaken over the last six years is to promote