Ping An delivers Hong Kong’s first blockchain-powered trade finance platform

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter “Ping An” or “the Group” or “the Company”)(HKEx: 2318)(SSE: 601318) delivered Hong Kong’sfirst blockchain-based international trade finance platform, eTradeConnect, which is initiated by seven founding banks in Hong Kong and facilitated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”). OneConnect, a fintech subsidiary of Ping An, was appointed by the founding banks through Hong Kong Trade Finance Platform Company Limited as the technological provider to help design, develop and deploy the platform.

At a ceremony in the Hong Kong Fintech Week event today, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced the official launch of eTradeConnect, initially connecting 12 joining banks with some of their trade finance pilot clients to share trade information with the use of blockchain technology.

Representing OneConnect, Ping An Group Deputy CEO, COO and CIO, Jessica Tan said: “OneConnect is proud to have helped deliver Hong Kong’s first blockchain-powered trade finance platform. This is also a first for the Asia Pacific region, which is a credit to the HKMA and banking industry.”

Founding banks of the platform include The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, The Bank of East Asia, Limited, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Hang Seng Bank Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. Currently other member banks are Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch, BNP Paribas Hong Kong Branch, Industrial And Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited and Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited.

Leveraging blockchain’s distributed ledger technology, financial institutions will potentially be able to access real-time, secured and comprehensive trade information to conduct their risk assessment on loans. The blockchain technology will also enhance efficiency and potentially reduce financial costs for companies by digitalizing trade documents in trade loan applications.

Zoltán is a self-taught publisher and events organizer who has developed several brands and services that have increased the notoriety of his company within multi-billion dollar industries. In 2018, he has become a TEDx speaker and talked about reputation management in the digital era. As Co-Founder of HIPTHER Agency, Zoltan has helped develop highly respected online news portals, virtual and in-person conferences that cater to multiple industries on 5 continents. Among the developed brands and services you can find online news portals that cover several tech industries, gaming, blockchain, fintech, artificial intelligence, and more. In parallel, the company has built a portfolio of annually organized boutique-style conferences in Europe and North America. All the events organized by his company focus on bringing a wealth of information about the latest innovation in several industries such as Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports and many more. Zoltan enjoys writing articles on all portals owned by the HIPTHER Agency, talking at conferences, hosting the weekly HIPTHER Talks Podcast, and loves spending time with his family. Zoltan is a duathlete who enjoys training for different international competitions which include running and cycling.