German state bank to tokenize bonds on blockchain

Germany’s state-owned bank, Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau, is stepping into blockchain territory with its first digital bond, set to transform investment options.

The German state-owned bank Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW) is gearing up to launch its first-ever blockchain-based digital bonds in a step aimed at the adoption of blockchain technology within the German traditional financial institutions, as per a Bloomberg report.

Commenting on the latest development, treasurer of KfW Tim Armbruster said the bank is taking “the next big step with the issuance of a blockchain-based bond for which we want to attract as many investors as possible.”

“We believe that digitalization will be advantageous in terms of increased efficiency and scalability.”

Tim Armbruster

Ahead of the bond’s launch, KfW plans to engage in discussions with European institutional investors during a preparatory phase spanning several weeks. Union Investment, the investment arm of the DZ Bank Group, is understood to be an anchor investor.

Despite the new approach, KfW will reportedly maintain traditional payment processes for the bond, with the completion of the transaction anticipated in the summer months. It’s unclear whether the bank is planning to utilize public blockchain networks for digitization or is working on its private solution.

DZ Bank, Deutsche Bank, LBBW, and Bankhaus Metzler are said to act as joint bookrunners, while German fintech firm Cashlink Technologies will serve as the crypto securities registrar. The bond, with an expected maturity date in December 2025, will have a minimum size of €100 million ($108 million), according to people familiar with the matter.