Melbourne, 22 July 2025: CloudTech Group, a leading blockchain financial infrastructure firm has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global blockchain platform XDC Network to explore a new trade finance and digital asset custody solution tailored to Australian exporters.
The collaboration will focus on enabling regulated custody of stablecoin transactions, including AUD and USD digital currencies, for trade finance payments both within Australia and globally. By leveraging blockchain infrastructure the two organisations aim to make cross-border trade faster, more secure, and more accessible, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who often face barriers in accessing traditional trade finance.
This MoU also captures a shared intent to pursue blockchain-based payment solutions using XDC Network’s ISO 20022-compliant technology stack. The global messaging standard enhances interoperability between blockchain and traditional financial systems, allowing for better alignment with regulatory and banking frameworks.
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at CloudTech Group, Mandy Jiang, said the partnership is a forward-looking step for Australian SMEs, noting that in March 2025 alone Australian exports were valued at more than $46 billion.
“This is about more than just improving efficiency - it’s about enabling SMEs to fully participate in the global economy and drive productivity gains through enhanced technology. By combining XDC’s blockchain protocols with our regulated custody framework, we are unlocking new paths to trade, finance, and growth that were previously out of reach,” Ms Jiang said.
“With blockchain technology enabling faster settlements than traditional banking infrastructure, these businesses will also be able to get their products to market faster. Traditional banks are continuing to prioritise large corporations, creating a growing gap in the market.”
This strategic partnership will involve the digitisation of trade documents, such as bills of lading, certificates of origin, and invoices, while supporting XDC Trade's smart contracts that utilise blockchain technology to enable atomic swaps between trade documents and payments. This approach aims to reduce fraud, eliminate counterparty risk, and cut settlement times from days to a matter of seconds.
Australian Ecosystem and Business Development Manager at XDC Network, Sean White, highlighted the benefits of leveraging blockchain technology in trade finance:
“It is well documented that global trades have a liquidity gap in the trillions - at XDC we are seeing fresh ‘digital’ liquidity flood in to reduce that gap. Also, blockchain technology is revolutionising the trade finance sector by reducing settlement times - what this means to the market, refreshingly, is faster payment cycles and improved cash flow,” Mr White said.
This collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s increasing focus on boosting productivity across the economy. Both CloudTech and XDC Network see this partnership as a clear example of how blockchain technology can drive greater efficiency, modernise financial processes, and strengthen Australia’s position in global trade.
"We are hosting a solution that is far quicker than those of the major lenders, and CloudTech is making this a practical reality here in Australia. This strategic partnership with XDC Trade demonstrates how blockchain can boost efficiency, modernise our economy, and make trade simpler and more secure especially for SMEs who need it most."
