National Australia Bank halts development of ETH-based stablecoin AUDN

The National Australia Bank (NAB) has reportedly ceased development of its Ethereum-based stablecoin, AUDN.

This decision comes just a year after the bank first announced its plans to venture into the stablecoin space.

The development team behind AUDN has since left NAB to pursue a new project called Ubiquity, supported by a consortium of investors including Animoca Brands, Merit Circle, and Concave.

NAB’s retreat from AUDN

The cessation of AUDN development signals a significant pivot for NAB. According to the Australian Financial Review, the bank quietly discontinued the project and allowed the development team to pursue new opportunities independently.

The team, now working on Ubiquity, aims to create a new stablecoin backed by the Australian dollar.

This new initiative will also see collaboration with another major Australian financial institution, ANZ Bank, which is developing its own stablecoin, A$DC.

In January 2023, NAB had ambitious plans for AUDN, intending to enable real-time transactions on the blockchain using Australian dollars.

The stablecoin was expected to facilitate a variety of applications, including carbon credit trading, overseas money transfers, and repurchase agreements.

However, despite these initial plans, NAB has decided to shift its focus away from AUDN.

The rise of Ubiquity

The former NAB team, now under the banner of CloudTech, is working on launching Ubiquity, a stablecoin that promises to be fully backed by Australian dollars deposited in a major bank.

This initiative reflects a broader trend in the financial technology sector, where startups are often better positioned to innovate and adapt quickly compared to larger, established organizations.

Robert Waugh, former head of wealth products at NAB, and Drew Bradford, NAB’s former executive general manager for markets, are leading the charge at Ubiquity. They believe that operating outside the traditional banking framework will provide greater agility and opportunity for growth.

According to Waugh, the startup environment offers a faster and more cost-effective path to innovation.

Government regulation and market potential

The move to establish Ubiquity comes at a time when the Australian government is considering the regulation of stablecoins as part of its broader cryptocurrency legislative framework.

This regulatory environment could significantly impact the development and adoption of stablecoins in the country.

Waugh is optimistic about the future of stablecoins in Australia, citing potential use cases for institutional investors and the tokenization of real-world assets.

Tokenization involves creating digital representations of physical assets, which can then be traded on blockchain platforms.

This process could revolutionize various sectors by enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Industry response and future outlook

The decision to halt AUDN development and the subsequent launch of Ubiquity has garnered interest from various stakeholders in the financial and cryptocurrency sectors.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has also acknowledged the potential benefits of asset tokenization.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite the optimism, the path to widespread adoption of stablecoins in Australia is not without challenges. The regulatory landscape is still evolving, and there are concerns about the stability and security of digital currencies.

Moreover, the competition among different stablecoin initiatives, such as Ubiquity, A$DC, and Novatti’s AUDD, will be intense as each strives to establish itself as the preferred digital currency for Australian transactions.

However, the potential benefits of stablecoins, including reduced transaction costs, increased efficiency, and enhanced security, make them an attractive proposition for both consumers and businesses.

As the technology matures and regulatory frameworks become clearer, stablecoins could play a pivotal role in the future of digital finance in Australia and beyond.

The discontinuation of NAB’s AUDN project and the emergence of Ubiquity underscore the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency landscape. While large financial institutions like NAB face challenges in developing new digital currencies, nimble startups like Ubiquity are stepping in to fill the gap.

With the backing of significant investors and collaboration with other major banks, Ubiquity is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for stablecoins.

As Australia continues to navigate the complexities of cryptocurrency regulation, the success of Ubiquity and similar initiatives will be closely watched by the financial community.

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