The Truth, The Hype, and What Is Real: Transforming FX Settlement in Emerging Markets

(First published, December 24, 2024)

As 2024 draws to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting on a year defined by growth, learning, and relentless pursuit of solutions. Working in financial technology has exposed me to both the enormous opportunities and the deeply rooted inefficiencies in global financial systems. This reflection isn’t about claiming to have all the answers, it’s about sharing what I’ve observed, learned, and come to believe about the future of cross-border finance. 

Take CLS Bank, for example. If you haven’t heard of them, you’re not alone. CLS processes over $6.5 trillion in FX trades daily, more than half of the global FX market’s daily turnover. For context, the FX market is the largest financial market in the world, dwarfing equities and commodities. Yet, CLS operates without fanfare because its mission is clear: to execute flawlessly, mitigate risks, and provide stability to developed markets. 

But here’s the challenge: CLS’s infrastructure is tailored to developed markets. So, who’s solving the FX settlement challenges in emerging markets? 

The Emerging Market Problem 

Emerging markets face staggering obstacles in FX settlements. With no central counterparties (CCPs) to guarantee trades, businesses rely heavily on OTC (Over-the-Counter) transactions conducted via informal channels like WhatsApp and Telegram. Imagine sending $1 million to a counterparty, trusting that they’ll honor the exchange, without the safeguards of formal systems.

The risks are significant: 

1. Settlement Risk: No intermediary means counterparty defaults or delays are common. 

2. Liquidity Gaps: Businesses struggle to source hard currencies like USD, leaving them exposed to volatile local currencies. 

3. Regulatory Fragmentation: Capital controls and inconsistent policies create barriers to smooth cross-border trade. 

4. High Costs: FX volatility and parallel market rates can erode up to 4% of revenue monthly for businesses holding illiquid currencies. 

Despite a $2 trillion annual FX trade in emerging markets, these inefficiencies persist, limiting growth and innovation. 

Sika: Building the Missing Infrastructure 

At Sika, we’re solving this problem by creating a financial market infrastructure (FMI) tailored to emerging markets. Positioned as a central counterparty (CCP) for FX settlements, Sika guarantees trades, reduces risks, and optimizes liquidity. 

Here’s how we’re making it happen: 

1. Multi-Lateral Netting: By aggregating and offsetting trades, we minimize transaction volumes and reduce costs. 

2. Payment versus Payment (PvP): Our technology ensures both sides of a trade are settled simultaneously, eliminating settlement risk. 

3. Liquidity Optimization: Sika’s multi-layered liquidity pools integrate stablecoins, private liquidity providers, and institutional funding to address gaps in exotic and illiquid currencies. 

These solutions aren’t just theoretical, they’re already delivering results. In five months, Sika has: 

1. Built a $700M pipeline, demonstrating clear market demand. 
 

2. Onboarded 80+ financial institutions, from regional banks to fintechs. 
 

3. Identified $1.5M+ in revenue potential, showcasing scalability and market validation. 
 

The Bigger Picture 

The FX settlement gap in emerging markets isn’t just a business opportunity, it’s an infrastructure challenge that impacts global trade, business resilience, and financial inclusion. The $2 trillion annual FX trade in these regions represents an untapped opportunity to build a system that works./n If CLS can secure $6.5 trillion daily in developed markets, imagine what Sika can achieve in emerging markets. By unlocking just 1% of the FX trade in these regions, Sika could drive over $20B in settlement value annually. 

A Vision Rooted in Reality 

We’re not chasing hype at Sika. We’re building what’s necessary: a secure, scalable, and efficient infrastructure that transforms how money moves in emerging markets. This isn’t just about solving today’s problems, it's about laying the foundation for sustainable growth and resilience. 

To every founder tackling the challenges of emerging markets: your work matters. Building in these regions isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Together, we’re creating systems that will define the future of finance. 

As for Sika, we’re just getting started. The journey ahead is challenging, but the opportunity is transformative. 

If you share our vision for the future of FX settlement and want to be part of this journey, let’s connect. Together, we can redefine what’s possible.