THE Singapore Exchange (SGX) and Temasek Holdings holdings subsidiary Heliconia Capital Management have invested in iSTOX, a capital markets platform by blockchain-based infrastructure company ICHX Tech.

The platform designed by ICHX Tech – a company incubated by Singapore investment firm ICH Group – aims to provide fast time-to-issuance and a high level of transparency for users. But, while iSTOX incorporates blockchain and smart contract technology in its platform infrastructure, it is not a cryptocurrency exchange as all issuances will be bought and sold using fiat currency.

ICHX Tech is working towards being regulated and licensed by the MAS as a recognised market operator, and the iSTOX platform will go live once the requisite MAS licences have been obtained.

As a next-generation capital markets platform, iSTOX will be well-positioned at the forefront of a new era for capital fundraising through the use of security token offerings (STOs).”

STOs are financial securities that offer flexible issuance structures and can be backed by a variety of underlying assets, which include company shares or debt, among others. Through iSTOX, investors can also gain STO access to liquidity through a secondary trading platform.

The blockchain-based platform, iSTOX presents a more flexible, inclusive and efficient platform that the company believes will greatly benefit both companies looking to raise capital and investors seeking bespoke investment opportunities, and offers substantial benefits to complement existing capital market mechanisms.

As capital markets evolve, companies will seek new funding avenues that suit their different stages of growth and business needs. To advance Singapore’s position as a world-class financial hub, Singapore needs innovative solutions that push boundaries and set new benchmarks. The new platform, iSTOX will add to the vibrancy of Singapore’s capital market ecosystem, providing more options for issuers and investors alike.