SIX has activated a direct linkage between its Swiss central securities depository (CSD) and Hong Kong’s Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU), extending cross-border post-trade connectivity between the two markets.
The new connection allows CMU members to invest in and hold securities in the Swiss and Spanish markets through the Hong Kong infrastructure.
It also marks the launch of equity post-trade services by CMU OmniClear, the operator of the CMU, representing its first expansion beyond fixed-income servicing.
Francisco Bejar, head of custody at SIX, said: “By combining CMU OmniClear’s role as a gateway for institutional demand with the international custody and post-trade infrastructure of SIX, we are helping to create a trusted and scalable model for connecting investors to European markets. We look forward to supporting greater connectivity and facilitating cross-border investment opportunities for market participants.”
The linkage follows a memorandum of understanding signed by SIX and CMU OmniClear in October 2024 to develop closer cooperation on cross-border investment.
The firms said the arrangement is intended to support broader international market access for investors and facilitate Chinese outbound investment into European markets.
Stanley Chan, group chief executive officer of CMU OmniClear Holdings and chief executive officer of CMU OmniClear, said: “We are pleased to have strengthened our cross-border connectivity with the European markets and for the first time, we are extending our asset servicing platform beyond fixed income to support equities. It is a new chapter in our journey to become a one-stop multi-asset class post-trade securities infrastructure, enabling more comprehensive product and client coverage.
“Through this new linkage, we can facilitate CMU Members to invest in Switzerland and Spain through a familiar market access channel in the Asian time zone. Going forward, we will continue to collaborate with SIX to explore extending the linkage to other markets, expanding our equity post-trade asset servicing capabilities.”