Malaysia’s Central Bank Launches SSDS+ With 24/7 Bond Settlement

Bank Negara Malaysia launched SSDS+ on Oct. 20, giving tokenized bonds and sukuk a platform that connects digital ownership records with round-the-clock payments in central bank money.

SSDS+ handles issuance, depository services and safekeeping for the securities. It also records their ownership and transfers. The connected RENTAS+ system moves the corresponding payment when a bond is bought, allowing payment and settlement services to operate at any hour.

Malaysia’s central bank built SSDS+ in-house using cloud and distributed ledger technology. Beyond wholesale issuance, SSDS+ is ready to support tokenized government bonds and corporate bonds for retail investors.

RENTAS+ connects to SSDS+ to transfer bond purchase payments in central bank money and support round-the-clock settlement. Its connection to SSDS+ brings that payment capability to purchases of digitally recorded securities. Sukuk are Islamic bonds, so the new platform covers both conventional bonds and Islamic debt instruments.