“In GDF we have found a body that accelerates the adoption of digital assets via the development of conduct standards, digital finance best practices and the promotion of cutting edge technologies like DLT,” said Hervé Francois, Blockchain Initiative Lead on Digital Assets, ING. “As one of the most active banks in blockchain, we are pleased to contribute our extended knowledge on digital assets.”

ING joins Archax, Bandman Advisors, Bequant, Coinbase, Consensys, Crypto Compare, Diginex, DLA Piper, 11FS, Elipses, EY, Hogan Lovells, Huobi, Messari, Metaco, R3, Radix, Shapeshift, Solidus Labs, Steptoe & Johnson on the GDF Advisory Council. This group of industry experts, business leaders and technologists plays a key role in driving GDF activity. It is focused on the ongoing development of the GDF Code of Conduct and Code Self-Certification Programme, which enables GDF members to self-certify their compliance with the Code of Conduct.

As Custody Working Group Co-chair ING will steer the development of Code of Conduct principles for Custody and Custodians, in partnership with fellow Co-Chair Onchain Custodian and the working group members.

“I am excited to be personally involved in GDF as Co-chair of the Custody Working Group. We believe that delivering an industry network to support the safekeeping and transfers of digital assets is key to development of any institution grade ecosystem,” said Hervé Francois, Blockchain Initiative Lead of Digital Assets, ING.

GDF Exec. Co-chair & Board Member Lawrence Wintermeyer welcomed the new member, “the digital asset ecosystem is rapidly maturing driven by increased consumer and professional adoption. The involvement of ING, one of the world’s largest innovative banks, into the GDF community is indicative of the large opportunity the crypto and digital assets sector represents to traditional financial institutions and new entrants alike. We are delighted to add ING’s innovation and banking expertise to the GDF Advisory Council and Custody Working Group.”