X-Border Platforms: the Implications of Distributed Ledger Technology.

Abstract

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) has been argued to play a vital role in facilitating cross-border payments and improving the financial ecosystem at a global scale. This research builds upon digital platform literature to frame cross-border payment organisations and uses a case study within the remittance industry to review the potential shapes of DLT within these platforms. Findings suggest that DLT can play a role at removing inefficiencies and promoting financial inclusion in developing countries by being used as a settlement mechanism, as a standardised communication channel and as a way for consolidating data located within the boundaries of different platforms. This study contributes to digital platform and DLT literature by suggesting three potential implications that this phenomenon can bring and their relevance to payment platforms.