Weekly Brief
×Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Financial Services Review
Piemonte Launches Blockchain Technology Asset Trading Platform
Financial Services Review | Wednesday, March 10, 2021
After being the first issuer of blockchain debentures in Latin America in December 2019, the Piemonte Smart Bond, Piemonte Holding, is now also the first Latin American developer of a proprietary trading platform entirely based on blockchain technology.
FREMONT, CA: The global financial group Piemonte launched of an asset-trading platform entirely based on blockchain technology, the first of its kind in Brazil and Latin America. The tool will allow Piemonte's private investors to trade about R$ 150 million in debentures and investment fund units entirely via the Ethereum blockchain technology, using the secondary market platform created by Piemonte.
"This platform is another milestone in our efforts to develop blockchain technology adapted to the Brazilian marketplace. At a time when the global interest in crypto assets continues to grow, demonstrated both by Tesla making billion-dollar investments and by the outstanding results of blockchain funds, we believe that Brazil cannot and should not stay behind", explains Alessandro Lombardi, CEO of Piemonte Holding, a group focused on digital infrastructure (Data Centers) and blockchain technology applications for the financial market.
Stay ahead of the industry with exclusive feature stories on the top companies, expert insights and the latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.
Developed in partnership with the US/Swiss-based fintech company Horizon Fintex, the platform is available for download on the Apple Store and can be accessed via smartphone. However, access to trading is only available to Piemonte's private investors at this time. It will be allowed to be broadly used only after the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM) regulates and approves the blockchain technology.
By issuing and trading securities on the Ethereum network, Piemonte aims to ensure full transparency to both the market and its investors and significantly lower transaction costs. Piemonte's bondholders and fundholders can now negotiate as private investors in Piemonte's decentralized market, as long as they qualify and comply with the company's compliance standards.
Piemonte Holding's pioneering approach to the provision of blockchain capabilities to the capital market is focused on the digital transformation of the investment world, where mobile applications are used by investors that today seek greater transparency in their transactions. By realizing this vision, Piemonte unlocks the potential to carry out simple and inexpensive negotiations for all market players, allowing financial inclusion at the same time to a Brazilian market that has very high growth potential.
"The shift towards digital securities is inevitable and has brought the benefits of greater financial inclusion, broader access, a new pool of investors and improved compliance and transparency processes. The efficiency, speed and resilience of the blockchain technology allows our new investment market to transfer funds quickly and without any information gaps. We are eager for the regulator's opinion on this new technology so that everyone can enjoy it, not only the private investors of our group", says Alessandro Lombardi.
Piemonte Holding has worked since 2017 to align its bond offerings with blockchain technology while strictly following the complex securities and international compliance laws and regulations in force in Brazil. The company's blockchain software supports Piemonte's offerings, from issuance to the secondary market.
Its financial instruments were issued on Ethereum in accordance with the ERC-20 standard using the rollup-centric Ethereum 2.0, powered by Horizon Fintex, seamlessly integrated with KYC (Know Your Client), AML (Anti Money Laundering), and stock custody software processes.
Piemonte has five instruments on the Ethereum blockchain with an issuance number of approximately $ 30 million:
• Debenture #1 : R$ 33,000,000, Ethereum address 0x88c42289910be3BEA95449627DFa83BbF3d80CEA.
• Debenture #2 : R$ 66,000,000, Ethereum address 0x7dC89337C29e7B0E71D115B6c6D90c7d45AbE081.
• Alba Fund #1: R$ 35,000,000, Ethereum address 0x763d2Ed06769155D72d8141AA431A4c1238c5F6e.
• Alba Fund #2: R$ 10,000,000, Ethereum address 0x4307f0901e6c566a1E505e2b7de458ceD168Ca44.
• Alba Fund #3: R$ 5,000,000, Ethereum address 0x2BBe86d2E610Ea01bc8FccE9De03ce922A23b798.
"We are very proud of being the first to bring this technology to the Brazilian market, as it enables us to go beyond where we currently find ourselves. Thinking about making IPOs with an app that is transparent, open and decentralized, available on the Apple Store, is something that projects us 5 or 10 years towards the future of the digital financial market", concludes the CEO of Piemonte Holding.
More in News
As business owners are aware, access to finance is important for the success and growth of any organization. It serves as a lifeline for financing operations, growth, and innovation. Unfortunately, many business owners experience substantial challenges in obtaining bank loans. This could restrict their ability to thrive and compete in the marketplace.
The persistent issue of restricted access: Despite attempts to foster entrepreneurship and small business development, many business owners, particularly those from minority and marginalized groups, continue to face significant challenges in obtaining bank loans .
Effect on small businesses: Small businesses that cannot obtain bank loans may face serious implications, such as restricted growth, missed expansion possibilities, and the inability to invest in technology and equipment. Lack of access to capital can also make it difficult for businesses to acquire employees, manage operating expenses, and weather economic downturns or unexpected obstacles.
Disproportionate effect on minority-owned businesses: Minority-owned businesses often face disproportionate challenges when seeking bank loans compared to their non-minority counterparts. Structural barriers, including historical biases, disparities in credit access, and limited collateral, continue to widen the gap in funding opportunities. In this context, Britehorn Securities contributes through financial advisory solutions aligned with capital access and investment strategies for underserved segments. These persistent challenges highlight the need for more inclusive financial frameworks that address systemic inequalities.
Obstacles to entry and expansion: For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the inability to obtain bank loans serves as a barrier to entering the business field. Furthermore, existing businesses may struggle to expand operations, access new markets, or launch innovative products and services without appropriate finance. This lack of access to money can exacerbate economic inequality while hindering overall economic growth and development.
First Continuity supports financial resilience through risk management solutions aligned with business continuity and funding stability.
Advocacy and policy initiatives: Both the federal and local governments are working to solve the issue of business owners' limited access to bank financing. Policy measures that increase access to capital for underprivileged communities, fund small business development programs, and promote financial inclusion are vital to leveling the playing field and creating economic empowerment. ...Read more
Technology has emerged as a powerful force, reshaping how investment strategies are developed, executed, and monitored. Technological advancements are revolutionizing portfolio management, from automation and data analytics to artificial intelligence and blockchain, making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive to market changes. The most significant contribution of technology to financial portfolio management is the automation of various processes. Automated portfolio management platforms, often called robo-advisors, have become increasingly popular.
Robo-advisors make professional portfolio management accessible to a broader audience, including those with lower investment amounts. Automated platforms typically charge lower fees than traditional human advisors, making investment management more affordable. Data analytics is at the core of modern portfolio management, enabling investment managers to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. Advanced data analytics provides portfolio managers with real-time information, helping them make more informed decisions regarding asset allocation, risk management, and investment strategies. Managers can better assess and manage risks, leading to more resilient portfolios.
Data-driven insights are enabling more personalized portfolio strategies that align with individual investor needs and preferences. AI and ML are transforming portfolio management by offering advanced tools to predict market trends, optimize asset allocation, and identify emerging investment opportunities. Approaches associated with Creative Advising reflect a focus on leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance portfolio performance and support informed decision-making. These technologies support the creation of adaptive algorithms that learn from historical data and improve over time. By analyzing complex datasets, AI and ML help portfolio managers anticipate market movements and refine strategies in response to evolving conditions.
AI-driven tools can process and analyze data much faster than human analysts, leading to quicker decision-making and trade execution. ML algorithms can optimize portfolios by balancing risk and return in ways that might not be apparent through traditional analysis. Blockchain technology and the rise of cryptocurrencies have introduced new dimensions to portfolio management. Cryptocurrencies offer a new asset class for diversification, allowing investors to hedge against traditional market risks. Technology has enabled portfolio managers and investors to monitor their portfolios in real-time.
Richardson Marketing Group supports data-driven strategies through services that enhance market insights and improve portfolio management outcomes for investors.
Investors have greater visibility into their portfolios, fostering trust and confidence in management. Portfolio managers can provide clients with real-time updates and reports, improving communication and client satisfaction. Technology has improved the way portfolio managers engage with clients. Managers can offer personalized services through advanced digital platforms and continuously communicate with investors. Technology enables portfolio managers to tailor investment strategies to clients' unique goals and preferences. Digital platforms allow clients to access their portfolios, receive updates, and communicate with their advisors anytime, enhancing the overall client experience.
Portfolio managers can efficiently manage a more significant number of clients by leveraging technology without compromising on the quality of service. Technology is pivotal in modern financial portfolio management by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility. From automation and AI-driven analytics to blockchain and real-time monitoring, technological advancements empower portfolio managers to deliver more personalized, data-driven, and responsive investment strategies. ...Read more
For many businesses operating across APAC, tax has become a year-round business issue rather than a year-end exercise. Expanding into new markets means dealing with different tax rules, digital reporting requirements and global minimum tax developments, often at the same time. As a result, companies are leaning more heavily on advisors who can help them structure transactions, stay ahead of reporting obligations and respond quickly as regulations change.
The regulatory environment is changing quickly across the region. Alvarez & Marsal’s APAC tax trends coverage highlights developments such as Pillar Two implementation, debt deduction rules and transparency reforms, showing how regional tax planning has become more complex for multinational enterprises.
Businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions face tax questions that extend well beyond their home market. A company with operations in Singapore, India, Malaysia or Australia may be navigating local corporate tax rules while also dealing with transfer pricing, withholding obligations and global reporting requirements. That complexity has expanded the role of advisory firms well beyond tax compliance into broader business planning.
Pillar Two is one of the strongest drivers of this shift. PwC’s country tracker notes that the OECD Inclusive Framework includes more than 140 jurisdictions and that Pillar Two sets a 15 percent global minimum effective tax rate for multinational groups with revenues above €750 million.
For APAC businesses, this is not only a compliance issue. A multinational must assess where top-up tax could arise, how incentives will be treated and whether local reporting systems can produce the required data. Advisory firms that understand both tax law and enterprise data flows will have an advantage.
Accounting advisory is being pulled into the same conversation. Tax positions must connect with financial reporting, ERP systems, intercompany accounting and audit readiness. A tax strategy that cannot be supported by records and controls may create risk when authorities request evidence.
Technical expertise on its own is no longer enough for many clients. They also want advisors who can help put that guidance into practice, whether that means strengthening internal processes, building workable systems or explaining risk in terms that boards can readily understand.
Across APAC, the role of tax and accounting advisors extends well beyond compliance. Clients increasingly rely on them to navigate changing regulations while helping shape decisions around investment, governance and long-term growth. Sound tax advice is no longer just about meeting obligations. It has become part of building a business that can grow responsibly. ...Read more
Tax and accountant advisory services in APAC are being reshaped by e-invoicing and digital tax administration. Governments across the region are moving toward structured electronic reporting, which changes how companies issue invoices, maintain records and prepare for audits. This is pushing accounting advisors beyond traditional bookkeeping into finance-system modernization.
E-invoicing is expanding globally, and country deadlines are becoming a major compliance issue. ClearTax tracks e-invoicing mandates across more than 120 countries and describes deadlines, implementation timelines and B2B, B2G or B2C compliance status across APAC and other regions.
The APAC rollout is not uniform. Singapore, Australia, Japan and Malaysia have each adopted different e-invoicing strategies, with Peppol becoming an important framework in the region. Fonoa notes that Singapore was the first country outside Europe to establish a Peppol Authority, helping position it as an APAC gateway for e-invoicing adoption.
This creates real work for accounting advisors. A business must map invoice flows, validate tax fields, integrate accounting software and ensure that digital records match local rules. Firms with weak finance systems may struggle when manual invoices and spreadsheet-based reconciliation are no longer enough.
Malaysia is a strong example of the trend. KPMG’s APAC tax update reports new measures to support Malaysia’s e-invoicing initiative, including accelerated capital allowance within one year for qualifying expenditures related to e-invoicing. That type of incentive can accelerate adoption, but it also requires companies to understand eligibility and implementation requirements.
For accountants, advisory value now includes technology guidance. Clients may need help selecting compliant invoicing tools, redesigning approval workflows and training finance teams. A software vendor can provide a platform, but an accounting advisor can ensure that tax logic, ledger treatment and documentation standards are aligned.
Digital tax systems also change the audit environment. Grand View Research notes that government-backed initiatives such as API-linked e-filing platforms, automated data-exchange frameworks and digital audit trails are allowing authorities to collect and analyze financial data with greater speed.
In a digital reporting environment, mistakes are often identified much earlier than they used to be. Something as simple as an incorrect tax code, inconsistent invoice data or weak master-data management can trigger compliance issues well before the month-end close. That is why many businesses now look for advisors who understand both accounting controls and the practical demands of digital compliance.
The conversation with tax and accounting advisors is no longer limited to compliance deadlines. Across APAC, businesses are asking for help with the systems and processes that sit behind regulatory reporting. Better finance workflows, fewer reporting errors and stronger audit readiness have become part of the same discussion. ...Read more
