The term “Cloud” signifies a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.¹

“Cloud” gets distinguished into three layers referring to the services provided:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the provision of storage space
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): the provision of services, for example data bases
• Software as a Service (SaaS): the provision of entire programmes over the network like applications 

The opportunities offered by the Cloud are a rapid modernisation of companies as well as state-of the art security. One of the cloud projects DBG pursues is the multi-vendor strategy for cloud usage together with its’ partners. This strategy offers the possibility to leverage each providers’ strength and avoid dependencies from a single partner set-up. 

Many countries as well as institutions, like the European Commission, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) started regulatory initiatives to provide more certainty surrounding the use of Cloud technology and DBG is closely monitoring the on-going developments and actively participates in consultations.

For further information on Deutsche Börse Group’s positioning on the matter, find our statements and position papers under Publications.

_{¹ National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011. ‘Computer Security’ can be accessed here.}

Digital economy is on the road to decentralisation through the use of DLT, which is of particular interest for the financial industry. In essence, DLT is a decentralised “data base” which allows all its users to have the same information. All participants have a copy of the same data base which is updated automatically.
Neutral bodies such as FMIs are well positioned to develop forward looking solutions together with other actors in the financial industry due to their expertise, robust IT systems, their highly regulated processes, and the established trust.

Deutsche Börse Group welcomes the different regulatory developments fostering innovation regarding DLT/Blockchain and the use of crypto-assets, at both the EU and national levels, with the so called “Digital Finance Package” starting the political processes on: 

• Regulation on the markets in crypto-assets (MiCA); 
• Regulation on a pilot-regime on DLT market structure; 
• Targeted changes of EU financial markets regulations referring to crypto-assets qualifying as financial instruments;  
• Digital operational resilience act (DORA);
• Introduction of electronic securities in Germany and adjustments to solutions proposed in DORA and Mica (Finanzmarktdigitalisierung); and 
• Law facilitating dematerialisation in Luxembourg.

Nevertheless, parts of the European Commission´s proposal for the Pilot regime still raise some questions and we believe that some adjustments will be necessary to ensure consumer protection, market integrity, and a level playing field. Experience from past financial crises has shown that fundamental principles such as consumer protection, financial stability or the conduct of an orderly monetary policy must not be compromised and must be ensured in the interest of society, irrespective of the technology used, and also in the context of a testing-phase.

These principles should not be invalidated by the mere reference to the promises of new technologies. Innovation and new ideas must be allowed to mature within a stable regulatory framework which reconciles competition, investor protection, and financial stability.

For further information on Deutsche Börse Group’s positioning on the matter, find our statements and position papers under Publications.

The term ‘Fintech’ is used for any technological innovation in the financial sector. Beside market participants, regulators also benefit from the adoption of Fintech. In the era of Big Data technologies, computers and data storage facilities can comfortably handle terabytes of data flow.

“Fintech” and the related term “Regtech” have led to a significant progress by helping regulators manage the vast amount of data. Deutsche Börse Group is currently involved in multiple Fintech initiatives and is a supporter of the continuing modernisation in the financial industry. Being at the forefront of modernisation, we expect there to be even more progress in the future as regulators, market participants, and market infrastructure providers work together closely to draw up solutions for problems arising out of the adoption of new technologies.

For further information on Deutsche Börse Group’s positioning on the matter, find our statements and position papers under Publications.  

In the light of the greater use of e-payment methods and EU’s digital transition, digital euro could support the EU’s digital finance and retail payment strategies utilising its potential to be an additional, innovative, and safe means of payment. As such, digital euro could promote accessibility and financial inclusion, while facilitating the development of pan-European and interoperable payment solutions which would increase resilience and financial stability of EU’s ever-digitising economy.

Digital euro is envisaged as a central bank digital currency (CBDC), available free of charge to everyone and complementing existing banknotes and coins. It would be stored in an electronic wallet set up with a bank or a public intermediary, allowing efficient and safe e-payment. It would also strengthen monetary sovereignty of the euro area and foster competitiveness of the European payment sector.

The European Central Bank (ECB) launched public consultations on setting-up digital euro as a CBDC in 2020, followed by a legislative proposal initiated by the Commission in 2023. The ECB Board decided to move to the experimental phase in late 2023, while the legislative proposal is currently subject to scrutiny by the co-legislators.

For further information on Deutsche Börse Group’s positioning on the matter, find our statements and position papers under Publications.