Definition ∞ Securities settlement is the process of transferring ownership of financial instruments, such as stocks or bonds, from a seller to a buyer and transferring funds in return. This critical post-trade activity ensures that both parties fulfill their obligations after a trade is executed, typically involving clearinghouses and depositories to mitigate counterparty risk. The process confirms the legal transfer of ownership and the final exchange of payment. Efficient settlement reduces operational costs and systemic risk within financial markets. Delays can disrupt market operations.
Context ∞ In crypto news, securities settlement is a relevant concept concerning the potential for blockchain technology to modernize traditional financial systems. Debates often highlight how distributed ledger technology could reduce settlement times from days to near-instantaneous. A critical future development involves the regulatory acceptance and technical implementation of blockchain-based settlement platforms, which could significantly alter the efficiency of global capital markets.
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