21X will be the European exchange of choice for Apex Group for the listing of its clients’ tokenized securities. As a globally leading financial service provider Apex Group is currently servicing over $3 trillion of assets. With its pioneering role as an institutional digital asset service provider, the company has brought its fund operations, transfer agency and custody services, amongst others, to blockchain. As asset manager and investor demand for DLT-based investment products increases, tokenized assets will form an increasingly important part of Apex Group’s business.
The partnership between 21X and Apex Group marks a major step forward in the development of the tokenized securities market. By combining their strengths, the two companies are poised to become a leading force in this rapidly growing industry and will offer a comprehensive end-to-end service offering for asset managers, financial institutions, brokers, and distributors wishing to list tokenized securities on 21X’s DLT market.
21X is in the final stages of securing its license to operate the first and, to date, only, truly DLT-enabled exchange and settlement system to be regulated by the ESMA.
Details of the first funds to be listed on 21X will be announced in the coming days.
Max J. Heinzle, founder and CEO of 21X, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Apex Group, a global leader in financial services. This announcement is a major milestone on our path to launching the first fully regulated DLT-based exchange and settlement system. As a major digital asset service provider, Apex Group’s dedication to list tokenized securities on 21X is also a historic step for capital markets globally.”
He added: “Apex Group has long stated its desire to be at the forefront of the move from TradFi to DeFi markets and together we can accelerate the adoption of tokenized securities and create a more efficient, automated and cost-effective capital market."
Peter Hughes, founder and CEO of Apex Group, stated: "In the dynamic landscape of fund management, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success and asset tokenisation holds tremendous potential for transforming the fund administration and management landscape. Our partnership with 21X fits perfectly with our strategy of expanding our tokenized asset capabilities.”
Bruce Jackson, Chief of Digital Asset Funds and Business at Apex Group added: “21X is a true visionary and pioneer as they identified early the opportunity to develop a DLT-enabled capital market infrastructure that will shortly secure its license from ESMA. We are excited to be witnessing strong client demand, and we will be listing Apex funds as soon as 21X opens for business.”
About 21X
21X is a Frankfurt-based fintech, developing a blockchain-powered exchange for tokenized assets, which will operate under the regulatory supervision of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
With the institutional adoption of tokenized securities, 21X is ideally positioned to enable smart contract-based issuance, trading and settlement of tokenized stocks, bonds and funds. 21X has submitted its license application to operate a DLT trading and settlement system (DLT TSS) and is expected to be one of the first companies authorized to operate under the EU DLT regime.
See the short explainer video on 21X and our blockchain-based exchange here.
About Apex Group
Apex Group is dedicated to driving positive change in financial services while supporting the growth and ambitions of asset managers, allocators, financial institutions, and family offices. Established in Bermuda in 2003, the Group has continually disrupted the industry through its investment in innovation and talent.
Today, Apex Group sets the pace in fund and asset servicing and stands out for its unique single-source solution and unified cross asset-class platform which supports the entire value chain, harnesses leading innovative technology, and benefits from cross-jurisdictional expertise delivered by a long-standing management team and over 13,000 highly integrated professionals.
Apex Group leads the industry with a broad and unmatched range of services, including capital raising, business and corporate management, fund and investor administration, portfolio and investment administration, ESG, capital markets and transactions support. These services are tailored to each client and are delivered both at the Group level and via specialist subsidiary brands.
The Apex Foundation, a not-for-profit entity, is the Group’s passionate commitment to empower sustainable change.
