90% of commercial banks exploring blockchain for payments
Nine out of 10 US, European and Canadian commercial banks are investigating blockchain technology for payments with a third claiming they were in the advanced stages of adoption, according to a study by Accenture which surveyed 32 top banking professionals. In a survey of 32 top banking professionals, 44% indicated that intra-bank cross-border transfers were the highest priority, while cross-border remittances and corporate payments were also secondary concerns. Respondents to the survey indicated that they expected blockchain technology to provide lower frictional and administrative costs, quicker and more efficient settlements, and new revenue opportunities.

Nine out of 10 US, European and Canadian commercial banks are exploring the use of blockchain technology for payments, according to a survey of 32 top banking professionals by Accenture.

Some 30% of banks are in the advanced stages of adopting blockchain technology for payments, the survey found.

The most prevalent use cases for the technology within payments are intra-bank cross-border transfers, with 44% ranking it as the number one priority.

A secondary focus on cross-border remittances, corporate payments and inter-bank cross-border transfers was also revealed.

Across the board, the executives expected lower frictional and administrative costs, quicker settlement time with fewer errors and exceptions, and new revenue opportunities.

‘Ripe for innovation’

“Cross-border payments are ripe for innovation using blockchain and distributed ledger technologies,” says Richard Lumb from Accenture. “The technology could resolve inefficiencies and friction that have long driven up the costs, and the time, required to move money around the world.

“Blockchain has proven its scalability to support such infrastructure and, as the industry sets its focus on developing the networks, business processes and standards needed to run these systems, payments could be one of the first major proving grounds for enterprise blockchain adoption.”

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