Definition ∞ A Financial Settlement Chain represents the sequence of intermediaries and processes involved in completing a financial transaction, moving value from one party to another. This chain includes steps like payment initiation, clearing, and final settlement of funds. Traditional systems often involve multiple layers, adding time and cost.
Context ∞ The Financial Settlement Chain is a critical area undergoing transformation with the advent of digital assets and distributed ledger technology. Current discussions focus on how blockchain can reduce the number of intermediaries and accelerate the settlement process, particularly for cross-border payments. Observing initiatives aimed at tokenizing traditional assets provides insight into efforts to shorten and streamline this chain.