Tuesday, 3 March 2026
Imperium Markets has called for urgent action after new research from the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) has revealed a $24bn annual opportunity for Australia.
The new research paper reveals that Australia could unlock $24bn in annual benefits if the country can upgrade the technology underpinning financial markets.
Imperium Markets Chairman Rod Lewis said this new research paper proves what we already know – wholesale money markets and bond markets must be tokenised or Australia risks being left behind.
“For years we have been saying that there are immense efficiencies to be gained from tokenising the financial markets that fund the Australian economy,” Mr Lewis said.
“We are not sure what everyone is waiting for, there are things we can do today to start the tokenisation journey that don’t require regulation changes. Some of which is using existing payment rails. But we need buy-in from the banks who are the major beneficiaries from those markets.
“As the only market operator in the RBA and DFCRC’s Project Acacia, we demonstrated that tokenising assets and settlements in wholesale bank deposits, money market securities and annuities is possible.
“The key to the success of our use cases was collaboration with market participants, in particular the asset managers. We risk upsetting those who provide funding to the market if they continue to hear statements about what needs to happen, but see no action.”
Mr Lewis said he looks forward to the RBA and DFCRC releasing its Project Acacia white paper in April.
“We know the DFCRC and RBA are working hard on the Project Acacia white paper – and we expect it will highlight some of the significant issues we face as a market today, but also the benefits that tokenisation of financial markets offers to all participants.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Billy Briggs | 0474 697 235 | [email protected]
