Agora Digital Debt Capital Markets

The company is creating a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform named Agora, which aims to provide an end-to-end digital solution for the entire lifecycle of bonds, from issuance to redemption. This platform is designed to serve a wide array of market participants, including issuers, investment banks, custodians, investors, and central securities depositories (CSDs). By leveraging DLT, Agora seeks to create a 'golden source of truth' for bond data, streamlining complex processes and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in a secure, shared environment. The business model appears to be centered on providing this platform to financial institutions to enhance efficiency and reduce operational friction in bond market operations.

Agora has achieved several significant milestones, demonstrating its capability and progress. In a notable early transaction, Agora's platform was utilized by the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a £50 million digitally native bond issuance, a project conducted within the FCA's regulatory sandbox and involving major financial institutions like HSBC and RBC Capital Markets. The firm has also been recognized for its potential, securing a place in the Investment Association's Engine FinTech accelerator program, which is backed by a consortium including the London Stock Exchange Group and Fidelity International. Through these developments, Agora is positioning itself to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the traditionally complex and paper-intensive bond market.