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Groundbreaking Experimentation of DLT Settlement in Central Bank Money by IZNES with the European Central Bank and Banque de France

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IZNES, collaborating with the Eurosystem comprising the European Central Bank and the Banque de France, has completed a groundbreaking experiment showcasing the potential of wholesale Central Bank Money (CeBM) on interoperable blockchains. Leveraging innovative Hash Time Locked Contracts (HTLC), this initiative demonstrated secure, efficient Delivery versus Payment (DVP) transactions across blockchain platforms like DL3S, IZNES, and Societe Generale-FORGE. Stakeholders included AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), BNP Paribas, Generali, OFI Invest Asset Management, Societe Generale. The experiment not only highlights the seamless interoperability of blockchains but also underscores the immense potential of digital cash tokens to revolutionize financial operations by enhancing security, reducing settlement times, and cutting costs, setting a new benchmark for the future of financial markets.

PARIS, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In a landmark initiative, IZNES, in collaboration with AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), BNP Paribas, Generali, OFI Invest Asset Management, Societe Generale and Societe Generale-FORGE and under the aegis of the Eurosystem—comprising the Banque de France (BdF) and the European Central Bank (ECB)—has successfully conducted an innovative experiment exploring the potential wholesale Central Bank Money (CeBM), within financial market operations on three interoperable blockchains.

It concretely demonstrates that interoperability between blockchains—often perceived as a major obstacle to the adoption of DLT technologies in finance—is not only possible but also holds immense potential to transform our financial infrastructures.

IZNES CEO Christophe Lepitre stated, “This groundbreaking initiative underscores IZNES’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, paving the way for future advancements in digital finance. It concretely demonstrates that interoperability between blockchains—often perceived as a major obstacle to the adoption of DLT technologies in finance—is not only possible but also holds immense potential to transform our financial infrastructures.”

The experimentation utilized the DL3S platform operated by the Banque de France under the aegis of the ECB, proving that wholesale CeBM can be used for conducting Delivery versus Payment (DVP) of fund units on three interoperable platforms: DL3S, IZNES and Societe Generale-FORGE.

Innovative Technology in Action

To facilitate the DVP process, a Hash Time Locked Contract (HTLC) was issued on the DL3S blockchain and seamlessly exchanged with the IZNES blockchain. The HTLC technology introduced a layer of cryptographic security, requiring recipients to produce cryptographic proof of payment within a specified timeframe. Failing this, the funds would be returned to the payer, ensuring operational integrity and trust.

“By leveraging the HTLC mechanism, we showcased the seamless interoperability between the DL3S, IZNES and Societe Generale-FORGE platforms, proving that wholesale CeBM can play a transformative role in financial market infrastructures,” stated Bhavesh Senedhun, experiment leader, Director General and CIO of IZNES.

Jean-Robert Hervy, Director General and CPO of IZNES, emphasized: “This experiment represents a step forward in demonstrating the feasibility and efficiency of using digital cash tokens in complex financial operations. By leveraging a secure, digital ledger, transactions could be completed faster, with enhanced security measures and significantly lower operational costs for all stakeholders.”

Two-Tiered Experimentation

The initiative was executed in two streams:

Stream 1: In collaboration with Generali as investor, AXA IM as issuer / asset manager of the tokenized fund, and BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business providing existing services and managing its clients’ wallets in BdF’s DL3S, the experiment focused on the subscription of fund units using Banque de France’s cash token.Stream 2: Partnering with Generali as investor, OFI Invest AM as issuer / asset manager of the tokenized fund, Societe Generale and Societe Generale-FORGE, this stream demonstrated the wholesale CeBM’s capabilities in a complex, multi-layered financial operation. This included the subscription of fund units in wholesale CeBM, which were subsequently reinvested into other funds, and bonds issued by Societe Generale. It concluded with the redemption of positions. Societe Generale Securities Services acted as Paying Agent.

Implications for the Financial Ecosystem

“This experiment carried out in real conditions demonstrated that it was possible to safely reduce the settlement and delivery times of transactions on financial instruments thanks to the interoperability of blockchains between them and the guarantee provided by the digital wholesale Central Bank Money (CeBM). We are collectively very happy and proud of this result which paves the way for a real technological advance for post-market processes, with the use of tokens for a secure settlement method for this type of operation thanks to the CeBM,” stated Jean-Pierre Grimaud, CEO of OFI Invest AM.

“At Generali, we have leveraged IZNES to manage our fund positions efficiently using blockchain. The success of this experimentation with the Eurosystem and the CeBM demonstrates the transformative potential of blockchain technology in streamlining fund management processes. The introduction of a wholesale CeBM represents a significant step forward for insurers like Generali, simplifying operations and enhancing transparency across the funds ecosystem,” further added Rémi Cuinat, Director of Unit-linked Assets at Generali.

This successful experimentation highlights the potential of wholesale CeBM to enhance the efficiency, security, and resilience of financial markets. It sets a precedent for the integration of a wholesale CeBM into real-world financial applications, demonstrating their viability as a cornerstone of the future financial ecosystem.

Acknowledgements

IZNES wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to the dedicated individuals and teams who contributed to the success of this groundbreaking wholesale CeBM experimentation:

Generali: Rémi Cuinat, Azdine Fahimi, Fenda Fofana for their insightful contributions.OFI Invest AM: Jean-Pierre Grimaud, CEO, along with Eric Bertrand, deputy CEO in charge of Investments, Nicolas Demont, deputy CEO in charge of Operational Efficiency and Patrick Hobin, COO for their leadership and support.AXA IM: Olivier Loubet for his strategic input.BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business: Maria Darras (Senior Program Manager Digital Assets) for her valuable engagement.Societe Generale Securities Services: Alain Rocher and Morgane Seveno for their expertise.Societe Generale-FORGE: David Durouchoux, Damien Fontanille and Alexandre Tortochot for their leadership.Banque de France: Pierre-Dominique Renard, Victorien Goldscheider, Marie-Aline Vives, Georges Maila, Sana Ghariani along with the DL3S technical team.IZNESIZNES Task Force on Tokenization and CBDC Experimentations: Paul Sylvain, Stéphanie Lheureux, Olivier Macquet for their guidance.

On the IZNES team, special recognition is given to:

Charles Paris, CTO, and Vladimir Kukharenko for their invaluable technical expertise.Jihade El Ouardi for exemplary project management.Axel Baechelen and Noemie Socha for their efforts on the operational and product fronts.Valérie Gilles for her assistance and advice with stakeholders.Isabelle Dhellemmes for legal guidance.

For further information, please contact:
Bhavesh Senedhun
Director General and CIO, IZNES
bhavesh.senedhun@iznes.com

About IZNES:

IZNES is the first European blockchain-based fund marketplace. IZNES offers a disruptive alternative to traditional fund distribution channels and allows asset owners to subscribe directly to all types funds from asset managers. The use of IZNES’s blockchain technology improves operational efficiency and offers institutional investors and asset managers an optimal level of security and IT resilience. IZNES is a regulated investment firm, authorized by the ACPR and supervised by the AMF, and its services are passported in Luxembourg and Ireland.

www.iznes.com

Media Contact

Bhavesh Senedhun, IZNES, 33 633260581, bhavesh.senedhun@iznes.com, www.iznes.com 

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Acer Debuts on Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2024

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Representing Top 10% of the largest 2,500 Companies in S&P BMI on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria

TAIPEI, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Acer Inc. (TWSE: 2353) announced its debut on the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI) World Index 2024, which comprises of the global sustainability leaders identified by S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). The DJSI World Index represents the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI) based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.

At the same time, Acer was listed on DSJI’s Emerging Markets Index for the 11th consecutive year in 2024, ranking among the top companies in the THQ (Computers & Peripherals and Office Electronics) industry and scoring in the 100th percentile with full marks across various components: Transparency & Reporting, Materiality, and Customer Relationship Management.

Acer’s commitment to making a positive impact on environmental sustainability includes joining the RE100 initiative, setting the goals to source 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In 2023 the Acer Group sourced 48% renewable electricity worldwide, with 100% renewable electricity sourced in multiple countries. Acer’s efforts have been recognized in growing capacity by global sustainability accolades and indices throughout 2024:

Listed among TIME’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies.Listed in the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes for the 11th consecutive year, garnering the best rating of “AAA”[1] that represents the top 15% in the category of technology hardware, storage and peripherals industry.Awarded Platinum medal for EcoVadis’ Sustainability Ratings for the third straight year, the highest tier of recognition representing the top 1% of rated companies[2] evaluated on sustainability across global supply chains based on four key themes: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.A constituent of the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the ninth consecutive year.In the subcategory FTSE4Good TIP Taiwan ESG Index[3] supported by the Taiwan Stock Exchange, which integrates ESG management practices and financial performances of companies, for the seventh year.

Acer continues to research and design climate-conscious solutions that serve both humanity and the planet, providing greener choices for a brighter future. Its eco-conscious offering includes computers and display products built with recycled materials and energy-efficient solutions, lifestyle products such e-bikes and e-scooters, energy storage solutions, along with award-winning packaging designs to contribute to the industry.

[1] MSCI ESG AAA Rating as of November 26, 2021, updated on December 10, 2024

[2] Ecovadis rating, August 2024

[3] First Taiwan domestic benchmark developed using FTSE ESG Ratings and data model, developed in partnership with Taiwan Stock Exchange’s (TWSE) wholly-owned subsidiary, Taiwan Index Plus Corp. (TIP)

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer’s 7,700 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.

© 2024 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.

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LG ACHIEVES 13TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN DOW JONES SUSTAINABILITY WORLD INDEX

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Only South Korean Company Recognized in Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics Category for 13 Years

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has once again secured its position in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the thirteenth consecutive year. The DJSI World ranks the top 10 percent of the largest 2,500 global companies based on their economic, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, serving as a critical benchmark for investors assessing corporate sustainability.

Notably, LG earned the highest overall score in the Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics industry category. Furthermore, it remains the only South Korean company to be included in this category for 13 years running.

Additionally, LG has been included in the DJSI Asia Pacific (top 20 percent of the 600 largest companies in the Asia-Pacific region) and DJSI Korea (top 30 percent of the 200 largest companies in Korea) for 15 and 16 consecutive years, respectively.

LG received high evaluations across various ESG areas, including environmental policy and management, human rights management, human resource management, customer relations, supply chain management and product responsibility management.

Under the ESG management vision of Better Life for All, LG is carrying out various activities with the strategy of 3C for the planet (Carbon neutrality, Circularity, and Clean technology) and 3D for people (Decent workplace, Diversity & inclusion, and Design for all).

To achieve its 3C goals for the planet, LG has set ambitious targets, including reaching carbon neutrality in its product manufacturing process by 2030 and transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

Specifically, LG plans to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1) and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 2) in the product production stage by 54.6 percent compared to 2017 levels. This will be accomplished through process improvements, the introduction of energy-saving technologies and the use of renewable energy. Notably, LG was the first company in the home appliance industry to obtain UN carbon credits in 2015.

In addition, LG is focused on reducing the unit greenhouse gas emissions of its seven major product groups (TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, home and system air conditioners, and monitors) by 20 percent compared to 2020 levels during the product use stage (Scope 3). This commitment involves various activities aimed at improving the energy efficiency of individual products, thereby reducing overall carbon emissions.

As a member of the UN Global Compact and the Responsible Business Alliance, LG complies with international human rights and labor standards and is enhancing its human rights management processes to respond to strengthening global ESG-related legislation.

In the ESG evaluation and rating announcement results published by the Korea Corporate Governance Service this year, LG received an overall A grade for four consecutive years. LG also received an A grade for five consecutive years in the ESG evaluation conducted by the global ESG evaluation agency Morgan Stanley Capital International, gaining recognition for its ESG management performance from credible domestic and international institutions.

About LG Electronics USA 
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $68 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its “Life’s Good” marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people’s happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.LG.com

Media Contacts:

LG Electronics USA

JL Lavina
jl.lavina@lge.com
www.LG.com 

Jennifer Tayebi
Jennifer.tayebi@lg-one.com
LGHAUS@lg-one.com

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CAS and PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute announce a collaboration to accelerate new materials discovery and innovation

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SHANGHAI and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society specializing in scientific knowledge management, and PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of the world’s third largest oil company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), are collaborating for use of the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform™ to accelerate research and discovery of new chemical materials.

PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute Co., Ltd. was founded in 2021 to address key technological challenges in advanced chemical materials and drive a transformation of CNPC from a traditional refinery and petrochemical product provider to a more advanced and sustainable material provider. Its research focus includes high-performance engineering materials, high-performance polyolefin and elastomers, special catalysts, advanced membranes, fibers and composites, etc.

CAS, the creator of the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative curated scientific information resource, the CAS Content Collection™, which covers over 150 years of discoveries, provides content and knowledge management solutions and services that accelerate innovation. The CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform, an authoritative scientific technology solution, will enable the institute research scientists to discover more relevant information faster, identify and optimize synthetic routes through a full retrosynthetic analysis of known and undisclosed substances, and locate, compare, and understand scientific methods via the CAS Content Collection.

“We’re excited that PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute will harness the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform to accelerate their research and discovery initiatives. Combining the capabilities of this industry-leading CAS solution with the Research Institute’s expertise in material research will result in breakthroughs that bring advanced sustainable materials to the marketplace,” said Manuel Guzman, President of CAS.

PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute, as a newly established innovation hub, aims to grow into a world-leading, multi-capabilities research institute that drives cutting-edge innovations, pilots industrial-scale technologies, provides technical services, and facilitates academic and value chain collaborations.

“We are very pleased to cooperate with CAS, who will be a strong partner in bringing their sophisticated scientific information solutions to facilitate and speed up our approach to advanced sciences and technologies in novel materials. We are looking forward to exploring more innovative ideas through our engagement with CAS,” said Xudong Huang, Vice President of PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute.

About CAS

CAS connects the world’s scientific knowledge to accelerate breakthroughs that improve lives. We empower global innovators to efficiently navigate today’s complex data landscape and make confident decisions in each phase of the innovation journey. As a specialist in scientific knowledge management, our team builds the largest authoritative collection of human-curated scientific data in the world and provides essential information solutions, services, and expertise. Scientists, patent professionals, and business leaders across industries rely on CAS to help them uncover opportunities, mitigate risks, and unlock shared knowledge so they can get from inspiration to innovation faster. CAS is a division of the American Chemical Society. Connect with us at cas.org.

About PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute

PetroChina Shanghai Advanced Materials Research Institute, located in the Lingang Shanghai, was established in December 2021. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) with innovation functions in fundamental research, product development, industrial-scale piloting, technical service and academic collaborations. The research areas cover a broad spectrum of novel chemical materials for the markets of electronics, medical, transportation and new energy. 

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