Moody’s Announces Participation in Project Guardian to Explore Asset Tokenization

Rhea-AI Summary

Moody's (NYSE:MCO) has announced its participation in the fixed income workstream of Project Guardian, an initiative launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2022. The project aims to enhance liquidity and efficiency in financial markets through asset tokenization while managing risks to financial stability and integrity.

Moody's plans to provide risk analysis for tokenized fixed income products, which may include securities, fund units, stablecoins, and tokenized deposits. This independent risk assessment is intended to enhance market transparency, reduce systemic risks, and facilitate the growth of the tokenization industry.

The company's involvement reflects its commitment to innovation, transparency, and risk analysis in financial markets, as well as its excitement about the potential of tokenization to transform the financial landscape.

Positive

• Participation in Project Guardian positions Moody's at the forefront of asset tokenization
• Potential to enhance market transparency and reduce systemic risks
• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of the tokenization industry
• Demonstrates Moody's commitment to innovation in financial markets

Negative

• None.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) today announced its involvement in the fixed income workstream of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Guardian, a collaborative initiative between the public and private sectors launched in 2022 to enhance liquidity and efficiency of financial markets through asset tokenization while managing risks to financial stability and integrity.

“Moody’s is entering a new era of brand identity, innovation, and collaboration, and we’re proud to be part of this project at the forefront of asset tokenization,” said Wendy Cheong, Managing Director and Regional Head of Asia-Pacific for Moody’s Ratings. “Our participation in Project Guardian reflects our commitment to innovation, transparency, and risk analysis in financial markets.”

Under Project Guardian’s fixed income workstream, Moody’s plans to provide risk analysis for tokenized fixed income products. This may involve fixed-income securities, fund units, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and other components of the digital finance ecosystem. Moody’s independent risk assessment is intended to enhance market transparency, reduce systemic risks, and facilitate the growth of the tokenization industry.

“Project Guardian is a testament to the power of transparency in the financial industry and as we join other leaders in this initiative, we are excited about the potential of tokenization to transform the financial landscape,” said Fabian Astic, Managing Director and Global Head, Digital Economy, Moody’s Ratings. “At Moody’s, we are committed to paving the way for these advancements and contributing to a more efficient and transparent market.”

About Moody's Corporation
In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody’s (NYSE: MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 15,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody’s gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive. Learn more at moodys.com.

“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained in this document are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans and prospects for Moody’s business and operations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information in this document are made as of the date hereof, and Moody’s undertakes no obligation (nor does it intend) to publicly supplement, update or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Moody’s is identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impact of general economic conditions (including significant government debt and deficit levels, and inflation and related monetary policy actions by governments in response to inflation) on worldwide credit markets and on economic activity, including on the volume of mergers and acquisitions, and their effects on the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets; the uncertain effectiveness and possible collateral consequences of U.S. and foreign government initiatives and monetary policy to respond to the current economic climate, including instability of financial institutions, credit quality concerns, and other potential impacts of volatility in financial and credit markets; the global impacts of the Russia - Ukraine military conflict and the military conflict in Israel and the surrounding areas on volatility in world financial markets, on general economic conditions and GDP in the U.S. and worldwide, on global relations and on the Company's own operations and personnel; other matters that could affect the volume of debt and other securities issued in domestic and/or global capital markets, including regulation, increased utilization of technologies that have the potential to intensify competition and accelerate disruption and disintermediation in the financial services industry, as well as the number of issuances of securities without ratings or securities which are rated or evaluated by non-traditional parties; the level of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. and abroad; the uncertain effectiveness and possible collateral consequences of U.S. and foreign government actions affecting credit markets, international trade and economic policy, including those related to tariffs, tax agreements and trade barriers; the impact of MIS’s withdrawal of its credit ratings on countries or entities within countries and of Moody’s no longer conducting commercial operations in countries where political instability warrants such actions; concerns in the marketplace affecting our credibility or otherwise affecting market perceptions of the integrity or utility of independent credit agency ratings; the introduction or development of competing and/or emerging technologies and products; pricing pressure from competitors and/or customers; the level of success of new product development and global expansion; the impact of regulation as an NRSRO, the potential for new U.S., state and local legislation and regulations; the potential for increased competition and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the EU; exposure to litigation related to our rating opinions, as well as any other litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries to which Moody’s may be subject from time to time; provisions in U.S. legislation modifying the pleading standards and EU regulations modifying the liability standards applicable to credit rating agencies in a manner adverse to credit rating agencies; provisions of EU regulations imposing additional procedural and substantive requirements on the pricing of services and the expansion of supervisory remit to include non-EU ratings used for regulatory purposes; uncertainty regarding the future relationship between the U.S. and China; the possible loss of key employees and the impact of the global labor environment; failures or malfunctions of our operations and infrastructure; any vulnerabilities to cyber threats or other cybersecurity concerns; the timing and effectiveness of our restructuring programs, such as the 2022 - 2023 Geolocation Restructuring Program; currency and foreign exchange volatility; the outcome of any review by tax authorities of Moody’s global tax planning initiatives; exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if Moody’s fails to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable in the jurisdictions in which Moody’s operates, including data protection and privacy laws, sanctions laws, anti-corruption laws, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials; the impact of mergers, acquisitions, such as our acquisition of RMS, or other business combinations and the ability of Moody’s to successfully integrate acquired businesses; the level of future cash flows; the levels of capital investments; and a decline in the demand for credit risk management tools by financial institutions. These factors, risks and uncertainties as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause Moody’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of Moody’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. Stockholders and investors are cautioned that the occurrence of any of these factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. New factors may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict new factors, nor can the Company assess the potential effect of any new factors on it. Forward-looking and other statements in this document may also address our corporate responsibility progress, plans, and goals (including sustainability and environmental matters), and the inclusion of such statements is not an indication that these contents are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future.

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For Moody’s Investor Relations:

Shivani Kak

Moody’s Corporation

+1 212-553-0298

Shivani.Kak@moodys.com

For Moody’s Communications:

Joe Mielenhausen

Moody’s Corporation

Joe.Mielenhausen@moodys.com

+1 212-553-1461

Source: Moody’s Corporation Investor Relations

FAQ

What is Moody's role in Project Guardian?

Moody's will provide risk analysis for tokenized fixed income products in the fixed income workstream of Project Guardian, aiming to enhance market transparency and reduce systemic risks.

When was Project Guardian launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore?

Project Guardian was launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2022 as a collaborative initiative between the public and private sectors.

What types of assets will Moody's (MCO) analyze in Project Guardian?

Moody's may analyze fixed-income securities, fund units, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and other components of the digital finance ecosystem within Project Guardian.

How does Moody's (MCO) participation in Project Guardian align with its corporate strategy?

Moody's participation aligns with its commitment to innovation, transparency, and risk analysis in financial markets, as well as its focus on the potential of tokenization to transform the financial landscape.