A Future of Finance interview with Robert Koller, co-founder and CEO at NowCM, and Jochen Metzger, Global Head of Markets at NowCM.

The bond and money markets have emerged, for different reasons, as early targets for transformation through the application of blockchain technology. Although the illiquidity of the corporate bond markets in particular is a tempting target for blockchains and tokenisers, several new ventures have aimed instead to improve the notoriously under-digitalised primary market issuance process. A number, despite the materiality of the opportunity, have failed already. But survival is not the only risen why the stealthier rise of NowCM is of interest. The reasons behind its steady success so far include a focus on solving primary market inefficiencies with accurate data rather than process-transforming technology; a commitment to an open rather than a closed network that attracts other specialist service providers and facilitates unthreatening partnerships with both established debt market networks and other start-ups; a recognition that it is wiser to work with the incumbent sell-side intermediaries rather than against them, not least because the buy-side continues to want them to be involved; a preference for conventional technologies that minimise the cost and complexity of connecting users and delivering services; and, lastly, a number of astute acquisitions that have secured solid revenues as well as valuable technology and useful client relationships. Dominic Hobson, co-founder of the Future of Finance, spoke to Robert Koller, co-founder and CEO at NowCOM, and Jochen Metzger, formerly a senior official at the Bundesbank who is now Global Head of Markets at NowCM, about the origins, products, strategy and growth plans of a business that describes itself as both a “data company” and a ”new era market infrastructure.”

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