ASMX partners with MERJ Exchange on new trading platform
Secondary market trading technology provider ASMX Group has partnered with MERJ Exchange to launch a digital trading solution for debt and equity securities and fractionalised assets.
MERJ Exchange is a fully regulated securities exchange, which is an affiliate of the World Federation of Exchanges and recognised by HMRC.
The new platform will offer on-exchange trading, clearing, settlement, and registry services, providing an accessible solution for smaller issuers of listed securities.
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ASMX said that the new platform uses technology to minimise costs and limit the administrative burden, to make it easier for SMEs, and issuers of alternative assets, to bring exchange listed securities to market.
It also means that regulated broker-dealers will be able to trade across MERJ while retaining their own customer base.
“Currently, 87 per cent of the world’s market capitalization is concentrated on 16 exchanges, and the NYSE alone exceeds the combined size of the smallest 50 exchanges,” said ASMX founder David Bradley-Ward, who also founded now-closed peer-to-peer lending platform Ablrate.
“This dominance creates barriers for smaller companies due to exorbitant fees and clunky processes, limiting their access to market liquidity. ASMX and MERJ aim to change this paradigm by offering an efficient listing process underpinned by modern digital technology.”
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ASMX – which uses blockchain-backed technology – is also planning to launch connected platforms in the UK, Malta, Abu Dhabi and Jersey.
These platforms will act as operators for the ASMX onboarding process, actively marketing their platforms to customers and originating listings for the exchange.
“ASMX and MERJ share the common goal of making listed securities a viable option for SMEs, venture-stage companies, and alternative issuers, while providing safe and transparent access for investors,” said Bobby Brantley, director of MERJ.
“Leveraging technology to reduce costs and frictions, we are thrilled to work with ASMX and their ecosystem of issuers and investors.”
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