On this week's episode of Yahoo Finance Future Focus, our host Brian McGleenon spoke to BCB Group Chief Product Officer Ashley Pope about the transformative impact of blockchain's settlement capabilities on established financial institutions.

Pope highlighted how blockchain facilitates near-instantaneous settlement, driving traditional market players to adapt rapidly to evolving client expectations. He emphasised that the expectation for instant settlement, inherent in the cryptocurrency sphere, is gradually permeating into traditional finance. This trend is fueled by evolving user needs, ultimately aiming for a world where value moves at the speed of the Internet.

To bridge this gap, traditional financial incumbents are exploring innovative solutions, such as Visa's stablecoin settlement for merchants and JP Morgan's initiatives like Onyx to enhance liquidity in private markets. Additionally, the UK government's plan to oversee fiat-backed stablecoins signals a broader trend towards embracing crypto-inspired settlement mechanisms.

Pope discussed a diverse range of settlement options, including stablecoins, native cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and litecoin, and existing payment rails like FPS in the UK and SEPA in Europe. He also noted how blockchain providers are also offering cross-border payment solutions, exemplified by Ripple's On-Demand Liquidity service.