Australia's ASIC Sues Stock Market Operator Over Misleading Blockchain Upgrade Claims

ASIC Blockchain

ASX misled the market by stating blockchain-based CHESS replacement project was on track in early 2022. Last updated:

August 14, 2024 01:45 EDT

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Shalini Nagarajan

Crypto Reporter

Shalini Nagarajan

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Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

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Last updated:

August 14, 2024 01:45 EDT

Why Trust Cryptonews With over a decade of crypto coverage, Cryptonews delivers authoritative insights you can rely on. Our veteran team of journalists and analysts combines in-depth market knowledge with hands-on testing of blockchain technologies. We maintain strict editorial standards, ensuring factual accuracy and impartial reporting on both established cryptocurrencies and emerging projects. Our longstanding presence in the industry and commitment to quality journalism make Cryptonews a trusted source in the dynamic world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews Australia’s corporate regulator ASIC sued market operator ASX for allegedly mishandling the blockchain-based Clearing House Electronic Subregister (CHESS) replacement project, it said Wednesday.

ASX misled the market by stating the project was on track in early 2022, the lawsuit alleges. However, just six weeks later, ASX revealed that the project was likely to be delayed.

The ASX commissioned an independent review via Accenture later that year, uncovering significant issues with the scalability of the blockchain technology underpinning the new . These problems led to the project being halted — and a $250m write-off.

ASIC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Australia’s largest market operator, ASX Limited, for allegedly making misleading statements related to its Clearing House Electronic Subregister (CHESS) replacement project pic.twitter.com/d3ZLUGMKSF

— ASIC Media (@asicmedia) August 13, 2024

CHESS, the used to record share ownership and process share trades on the ASX, was introduced in 1994. The ASX started developing a replacement in 2015, adopting blockchain tech in 2017. Despite facing multiple setbacks, the ASX claimed in Feb. 2022 that the new would be operational in 2023.

The regulator alleges that ASX knew the project was behind schedule. Still, it publicly declared otherwise, creating a false impression of the project’s progress.

ASX’s Misleading Claims Undermined Market Trust: ASIC Chair Joe Longo

“ASX’s statements go to the heart of trust in the integrity of our markets,” ASIC Chair Joe Longo said. “We believe this was a collective failure by the ASX Board and senior utives at the time.”

“Companies and market participants rely on what the ASX says about its operations to make their own decisions and investments. We expect the ASX to be a place to list and invest with confidence. When the ASX falls short, it has wide ranging consequences across the market.”

Longo stated that the project’s delay and eventual halt in Nov. 2022 resulted in substantial financial losses for both the ASX and investors who had relied on the company’s claims about the project’s progress and launch timeline.

ASX Responds to ASIC Lawsuit

ASX CEO Helen Lofthouse acknowledged the seriousness of the lawsuit filed by ASIC. She said the bourse operator is cooperating with the regulator’s investigation and that they are reviewing the allegations.

While ASIC has not yet specified the penalty it seeks, it’s worth noting that ASX earlier paid an A$1.05 million fine ($695,415) in March 2024 for separate market integrity rule breaches.

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