UK Finance, in collaboration with leading tech firms Quant, R3, DXC Technology, and Coadjute, has published a report detailing the success of the Regulated Liability Network’s (RLN) experimentation phase. The project, designed to modernise the UK’s financial system, integrates central bank money, commercial bank money, and electronic money into a shared ledger, paving the way for a new era of financial operations.
Powerhouse Institutions Test RLN Use Cases
Several prominent financial institutions, including Barclays, Citi, HSBC, Mastercard, Natwest, and Visa, participated in testing the RLN’s capabilities. The trials explored how a unified API could enable seamless interaction across different ledgers, enhancing payment processes and supporting tokenized assets.
Unlocking New Financial Capabilities
The report highlights the RLN’s potential to deliver significant economic value. By integrating programmable payments, the network can unlock and lock funds based on specific use cases, offering greater flexibility and innovation in the financial markets. A single network interface could also simplify connections between institutions, reducing the complexities of the current financial system.
UK Regulation Supports Innovation
Importantly, the report concludes that the UK’s regulatory framework is adaptable enough to support the RLN’s implementation. Jana Mackintosh, Managing Director of Payments, Innovation, and Operational Resilience at UK Finance, underscored the importance of the findings:
“The success of the RLN experiment shows the potential of technology to transform the customer experience and deliver economic value for society. The private sector is eager to invest in the future of commercial bank money but needs collaboration with regulators to move forward.”
This successful trial positions the RLN as a key player in the future of the UK’s financial infrastructure.
