CME Group to Utilise Google Cloud’s Universal Ledger for Tokenisation and Payments

CME Group revealed it has successfully completed the first phase of integration and testing of Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), a distributed ledger designed to streamline asset management and financial transactions. 

The initiative aims to improve collateral, margin, settlement, and fee payments by introducing more efficient digital value transfers.

Terry Duffy, Chairman and CEO of CME Group, stated: “As the President and new Administration have encouraged Congress to create landmark legislation for common-sense market structure, we are pleased to partner with Google Cloud to enable innovative solutions for low-cost, digital transfer of value.”

GCUL is a programmable, permissioned ledger tailored for traditional financial institutions, allowing them to simplify account and asset management while maintaining security. 

CME explained that the ledger is designed to integrate easily into existing financial infrastructure, facilitating seamless transactions across the capital markets ecosystem.

Rohit Bhat, General Manager, Financial Services at Google Cloud, commented: “Partnering with CME Group to innovate with GCUL exemplifies this commitment, demonstrating how Google Cloud helps partners transform their businesses through strategic collaborations and modern infrastructure.”

Later this year, CME Group and Google Cloud plan to begin direct testing with market participants, with a full rollout expected in 2026.