Securities Services

Definition ∞ Securities services encompass a range of functions that support the issuance, trading, and safekeeping of financial securities. These services typically include custody, clearing, settlement, fund administration, and corporate actions processing for equities, bonds, and other financial instruments. Providers act as intermediaries, ensuring the efficient and secure functioning of capital markets. The infrastructure and operational expertise behind securities services are fundamental to global financial operations.
Context ∞ The traditional securities services sector is undergoing significant disruption and modernization driven by blockchain technology and digital assets. News often covers how distributed ledger technology can streamline post-trade processes, reduce settlement times, and potentially tokenise traditional securities. The integration of digital asset custody and other crypto-native services into existing securities service frameworks represents a key area of development and regulatory adaptation.