Blockchain Startup Symbiont Partners With Security Giant Gemalto

Digital security firm Gemalto has partnered with blockchain platform Symbiont to let financial institutions more securely execute smart contracts.

AccessTimeIconJan 28, 2016 at 5:20 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 11, 2021 at 12:06 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Digital security giant Gemalto has partnered with blockchain startup Symbiont to allow financial institutions to more securely execute smart contracts and blockchain-based transactions.

Under the deal, Symbiont will use Gemalto's SafeNet hardware security modules (HSMs) to protect blockchain identities and transactions, with the aim of preventing theft, forgery and other types of criminal activity.

The HSMs will provide protection for Symbiont's platform by "securely managing, processing and storing" cryptographic keys, Gemalto said. It added that the devices are used by a number of large financial institutions to protect more than $1tn dollars in financial transactions every day.

The firm explained in a statement that integrating its HSMs ensures the "highest levels of regulatory compliance and trust for cryptographic identities authorizing these transactions".

Mark Yakabuski, Gemalto's vice president of business development strategy, said:

"Bringing Gemalto's market-leading HSM security modules assurance to Symbiont's Smart Contract Blockchain solution is not only an exciting offering, but a clear step towards securing blockchain-based transactions."

Automating legacy systems

Symbiont utilises blockchains to allow institutions and investors to issue, manage and trade a range of financial instruments more efficiently over an encrypted peer-to-peer network.

These instruments, which Symbiont calls 'smart securites', are self-enforcing, self-executing contracts that can offer cost and time savings compared with transactions brokered using legacy systems.

Once a security is issued onto Symbiont's distributed ledger, it acts autonomously, eliminating the traditional manual processing of financial transactions.

Founded in 2014, Symbiont raised $1.25m in June 2015, and issued its first smart security on the bitcoin blockchain shortly after, in August.

Based in New York, the startup has roughly 10 employees and is focused on capital markets applications of blockchain teach.

Image via Shutterstock

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.