Nasdaq-listed company Northern Trust (NTRS), the National University of Singapore School of Computing (NUS Computing) and the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS AIDF) have announced a series of initiatives aimed at shaping the future of blockchain for institutional investors.

Northern Trust, a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, has a global presence with offices in 25 US states and Washington, DC, and 23 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific Region.

On June 23, 2022, Northern Trust established a new group, the Digital Assets and Financial Markets group, to support the rapidly growing digital asset markets and traditional securities services markets. The group, led by Justin Chapman, aims to address the changing needs of the digital and traditional markets.

As of March 31, 2023, Northern Trust had assets under custody/management of $14.2 trillion and assets under management of $1.3 trillion.

The strategic partnership comprises a joint research project titled “Custody in the age of digital assets.” This project explores various methods for maintaining control and ownership of digital assets on third-party blockchains, and strategies for clients to achieve a real-time view of assets across digital and traditional markets. The research is part of the Singapore Blockchain Innovation Program (SBIP), a nationwide association anchored in NUS Computing, which investigates the institutional use of blockchain and the application of new technologies in the banking industry.

The collaboration also includes a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NUS AIDF, signifying Northern Trust’s commitment to fostering the Fintech ecosystem in Singapore. Northern Trust currently mentors Insightic, an AIDF-incubated RegTech startup, focusing on risk assessment for Web 3.0-based virtual asset service providers. With its blockchain expertise, Northern Trust is helping the startup refine its product go-to-market and fit strategies.

In addition, the Northern Trust and NUS Computing have agreed to offer an industry-linked internship opportunity to a student in the Master of Digital Fintech programme. This five-month program will expose the intern to the critical market advocacy and digital development work that the Northern Trust is leading in the Asia-Pacific region.

Justin Chapman, Northern Trust’s Global Head of Digital Assets and Financial Markets, said the partnership with NUS is a significant step in their strategy to provide thought leadership and develop future leaders who will shape the industry.

Northern Trust Financial Markets and Digital Assets is the bank’s unique group that unifies traditional and digital market functions. He focuses on helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving digital markets and the challenges of investing in digital assets alongside allocations to more traditional asset classes.

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