GTR Ventures

An insightful article below by Fiona So, looking into how to achieve interoperability for electronic Bills of Lading (eBL). eBL adoption has grown to 5% in 2024. This follows its efficiency, security, and carriers’ target of 100% adoption by 2030. Solutions like WaveBL, IQAX eBL, WiseTech Global, Bolero International (WiseTech Global Group), and ICE Digital Trade (formerly essDOCS) lead in niche markets. But a single solution is unlikely. To achieve interoperability, two challenges must be addressed: 1️⃣ Legal Validity: Providers use different rulebooks. GSBN’s pilot relies on local laws (e.g., UK and France) to standardise recognition. 2️⃣ Liability: Accountability is key in multi-platform transfers. GSBN uses blockchain as a Control Tracking Registry. This ensures clear control and dispute resolution. Fiona credits Marina Comninos for leading the liability framework with ICE and IQAX eBL. Interoperability alone won’t drive adoption. eBL must add value beyond paper. At the Shanghai eBL Summit, 120 leaders explored new use cases. Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) continues to champion practical, scalable solutions for real-world challenges like eBL interoperability. Through pilots with ICE and IQAX eBL, they address legal validity, liability, and accountability, driving trade digitalisation through industry collaboration. Original article by Fiona So. Read more below. https://lnkd.in/dYHQhcE5 Follow GTR Ventures for more curated #tradetech and #fintech insights. #tradejustgotsmarter #DigitalTrade #eBL #GlobalTrade #Innovation #Blockchain #Logistics #Interoperability

Empowering SMEs: #Santander and #Dentsu Unite 🤝 Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking is partnering with dentsu to launch a platform simplifying international trade for SMEs. Launching in Q2 2025, it will offer tailored services, discounts, and market insights to help SMEs expand globally. The platform will roll out to 45 markets, including 10 of Santander’s core regions, powered by Adobe, Amazon, and Salesforce. This builds on Santander’s digital growth, including Openbank’s launch in the US and Mexico. 💡 A game-changer for SMEs ready to go global. Original article by Cameron Emanuel-Burns for FinTech Futures. Read more in the comments section below. Follow GTR Ventures for more curated #tradetech and #fintech insights. #tradejustgotsmarter #SMEGrowth #Innovation #GlobalBusiness

Enigio's trace:original has become the first-ever digital trade document system recognised as "reliable" under the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) and Canada’s Digital Governance Council framework. This game-changing recognition aligns with global standards, including the UN’s model law, setting the stage for trusted, scalable digital trade solutions. Key highlights: ✅ Verified operational and security controls ✅ Compliance with cutting-edge technological standards ✅ A clear pathway to accelerate trade digitalisation Patrik Zekkar, CEO of Enigio, celebrated this milestone as a "true example of collaboration driving industry progress." While this recognition is currently an interim step, plans are in motion to establish a certification process for greater trust and interoperability. Reliable systems are the cornerstone of digital trade. This initiative is turning ideas into actionable progress, paving the way for global trade transformation. Original article by John Basquill for Global Trade Review (GTR). Read more below. Follow GTR Ventures for more curated #tradetech and #fintech insights. https://lnkd.in/d5km82-g #tradejustgotsmarter #DigitalTrade #ReliableSystems #TradeInnovation #FutureOfTrade #traceoriginal

Great to see our investee company, XDC Trade Network CEO Sunil Senapati featured on Sonny Mohanty ‘s podcast XDC Network Rupert Sayer Peter Gubbins Ed Virtue Kelvin Tan Follow GTR Ventures today for more exciting news on innovation in the global #trade world!

VoloFin , a Singapore-based fintech company, has secured USD 50 million to enhance trade finance for Indian exporters, especially SMEs. This funding will provide easier, more secure lending options and help streamline supply chains using advanced financial tools. It’s a major boost for businesses that are the backbone of India’s economy. VoloFin plans to scale this funding to USD 150 million over the next few years, showing its commitment to bridging the trade finance gap. The announcement comes as fintech funding in India is bouncing back, with Q3 2024 seeing 66% year-on-year growth, reaching USD 778 million. It’s inspiring to see initiatives like this empowering exporters and strengthening their global competitiveness. Original article published for The Paypers. Read more in the comments section. Follow GTR Ventures for more curated #tradetech and #fintech insights. #tradejustgotsmarter #TradeFinance #IndianExporters #SMEs #FintechInnovation #SupplyChainManagement #FundingSuccess #EconomicGrowth #GlobalTrade #TechInTrade

GTR Ventures invests in UK-based digital trade solutions provider 🚀 Thrilled to welcome GTR Ventures into the Havona Technology family.  Special thanks reserved for Kelvin Tan & Rupert Sayer.  GTR Ventures is a leading venture capital partner for Trade Tech startups, and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work alongside them. https://lnkd.in/dPyEr4WU Read more here on Global Trade Review (GTR) #post_trade #posttrade #digital #electronictradedocuments #blockchain #corda #startups #digitaltransformation #MLETR #DLT #commodityservices #warehousereceipts #LEI #globaltrade #data #supplychains #cryptography #logistics #innovation #technology #network #ai #GTRV

Advancing Trade Finance: Brazil’s Drex Pilot Integrates #Blockchain and Digital Currency 💵 Banco Central do Brasil is advancing its digital currency pilot, Drex, by expanding it into the trade finance sector to enhance transaction efficiency and security. This initiative leverages blockchain and smart contracts to automate the settlement of agricultural commodity trades, making transactions more efficient, secure, and transparent. Key leaders in the project highlight its significance: Bruno Grossi, MSc Banco Inter’s Head of Emerging Technology, calls it “a transformative opportunity to expand market reach and improve the health of the Brazilian market.” Angie Walker, Global Head of Banking and Capital Markets at Chainlink Labs, describes it as a “key use case for central bank digital currencies” that “will showcase what tokenised assets can do at scale.” PhD. João Paulo Aragão Pereira, Innovation Specialist for Financial Services at Microsoft, emphasises that Drex is designed to “broaden access to intelligent financial services.” Supported by Inter, Microsoft, 7COMm - People and tech to transform, and Chainlink, the project also integrates the CCIP protocol for interoperability, ensuring seamless collaboration with other central banks and platforms. This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates the immense potential of blockchain and digital currencies to reshape global trade finance. Original article by John Basquill for Global Trade Review (GTR). Read more in the link in the comments. Follow GTR Ventures for more curated #tradetech and #fintech insights. #tradejustgotsmarter #TradeFinance #BlockchainInnovation #DigitalCurrency #CBDC

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of collaborating with GTR Ventures, @TradeTrust, and XDC Network to host a roundtable discussion. The session brought together a diverse group attendees to explore how businesses can enhance their readiness for the cross-border exchange of digital trade documents. By bridging the gap between traditional and digital trade processes, our solutions empower SMEs to streamline operations, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities in the global trade ecosystem. Thank you to our partners and participants for an engaging and impactful session! Together, we’re shaping the future of trade finance. 🚀 Denise Pereira | Sunil Senapati | Sin Yong Loh | Kelvin Tan | Rupert Sayer

Yesterday (25th November) we had the privilege of hosting a free workshop on unlocking trade finance, in partnership with IMDA TradeTrust at PSA Horizons, #Singapore. Overlooking the breath taking view of the iconic maritime port ⛴️🏗️of Singapore, It was fantastic to see so many traders, importers, exporters , liquidity providers, come together to explore opportunities in trade finance and discuss the latest innovations in the field. The workshop was packed with great conversations and speakers, including from SGTraDex , and an engaging presentation from Sunil Senapati of XDC Trade Network A huge thank you to everyone who presented, attended, and helped make this event such a success! https://lnkd.in/ez8QQwza Follow GTR Ventures for curated #tradetech insights. #tradejustgotsmarter #TradeFinance #TradeTech #TradeNetwork Rupert Sayer Kelvin Tan Peter Gubbins

Yesterday (25th November) we had the privilege of hosting a free workshop on unlocking trade finance, in partnership with IMDA TradeTrust at PSA Horizons, #Singapore. Overlooking the breath taking view of the iconic maritime port ⛴️🏗️of Singapore, It was fantastic to see so many traders, importers, exporters , liquidity providers, come together to explore opportunities in trade finance and discuss the latest innovations in the field. The workshop was packed with great conversations and speakers, including from SGTraDex , and an engaging presentation from Sunil Senapati of XDC Trade Network A huge thank you to everyone who presented, attended, and helped make this event such a success! https://lnkd.in/ez8QQwza Follow GTR Ventures for curated #tradetech insights. #tradejustgotsmarter #TradeFinance #TradeTech #TradeNetwork Rupert Sayer Kelvin Tan Peter Gubbins