HSBC pioneers Quantum Protection for AI-powered FX trading

Hsbc Pioneers Quantum Protection For Ai-Powered Fx Trading

HSBC has become the first bank to use quantum protection for AI-powered foreign exchange trading, safeguarding sensitive trading data against potential cyber threats. In a world-first trial, HSBC used Quantum Key Distribution to protect a €30 million trading scenario. The technology, powered by BT, Toshiba, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), is part of HSBC’s commitment to staying ahead of technological advancements and ensuring customer asset protection. The bank’s CEO, Colin Bell, emphasized investing in quantum technologies. HSBC’s quantum scientists, cyber-crime experts, and trading specialists will use insights from this experiment to integrate Quantum Key Distribution into key trading tools.

HSBC Implements Quantum Protection for AI-Powered Trading

HSBC’s CEO, Colin Bell, emphasized the importance of investing in quantum technologies, stating that the bank is preparing for the future and actively shaping it. He highlighted the trial’s significance in shaping the future of cybersecurity and reiterated the bank’s commitment to protecting its customers’ assets.

Collaboration with BT, Toshiba and Amazon Web Services

This milestone was achieved through a collaboration with BT, Toshiba, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The partnership underscores HSBC’s commitment to staying ahead of technological advancements and ensuring maximum protection for its customers’ assets in the quantum era. The bank processed 4.5 billion payments for their customers last year, worth an estimated value of £3.5 trillion.

Cyber-attacks and Quantum Computers

The financial sector faces increasing threats from cyber-attacks and the emergence of quantum computers. HSBC is proactively addressing these threats through research and development to ensure the resilience of its financial systems in an increasingly quantum future. This initiative aligns with the UK Government’s ambition to enable the commercial viability of quantum communications, as outlined in the recent National Quantum Strategy.

Quantum Experiment in Foreign Exchange Trading

Richard Bibbey, HSBC’s Global Head of FX and Emerging Markets Rates and Commodities, highlighted the importance of data security in the rapidly evolving world of foreign exchange trading. He described the quantum experiment as a significant leap in finance, marking the first time quantum communications have been used to reinforce secure trading and transactions.

HSBC’s quantum scientists, cyber-crime experts, and trading specialists will use the insights from this experiment to explore how Quantum Key Distribution can be integrated into key trading tools to secure them against future quantum attacks.

HSBC’s Quantum Infrastructure

In July, HSBC became the first bank to join BT and Toshiba’s quantum secure metro network in collaboration with AWS. This involved installing quantum infrastructure in their Global Headquarters in Canary Wharf, spanning 63km via fiber-optic cables to their data center in Slough. This move further demonstrates HSBC’s commitment to leveraging quantum technology to enhance the security of its financial systems.

The quantum revolution is not on the horizon; it’s already here. By investing and experimenting in quantum technologies now, HSBC is not just preparing for the future; we’re shaping it.

“Today’s trials will define tomorrow’s triumphs. Successfully pioneering quantum protection for our FX trading is a significant step with far-reaching implications for the blueprint of our future cybersecurity.
“We are determined to do whatever we can to protect our customers assets, both now and in the future. This trial marks an important step in this commitment”.


In the world of foreign exchange trading, currency dynamics are evolving faster than ever. Ensuring the security of our client’s data is paramount and we must constantly innovate and stay ahead of the curve.

This ground-breaking quantum experiment marks a considerable leap in the world of finance. For the first time, we have leveraged the power of quantum communications to further reinforce our secure trading and transactions.

HSBC Global Head of FX and Emerging Markets Rates and Commodities, Richard Bibbey

Summary

HSBC has initiated a world-first trial using quantum cryptography to protect AI-powered foreign exchange trading from potential cyber threats, including future quantum attacks. This significant step towards quantum-resistant encryption is part of HSBC’s proactive approach to ensure the continued resilience of its financial systems in an increasingly quantum future.

  • HSBC has become the first bank to use quantum protection for AI-powered foreign exchange trading, aiming to safeguard sensitive trading data against potential cyber threats, including future quantum attacks.
  • In a global first, HSBC used Quantum Key Distribution to protect a €30 million trading scenario from Euros to US dollars on its HSBC AI Markets trading terminal.
  • The technology, developed in collaboration with BT, Toshiba and Amazon Web Services (AWS), is part of HSBC’s commitment to staying ahead of technological advancements and ensuring maximum protection for its customers’ assets.
  • The bank processed 4.5 billion payments last year, worth an estimated £3.5 trillion, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
  • HSBC’s move is in line with the UK Government’s ambition to enable the commercial viability of quantum communications, as outlined in the recent National Quantum Strategy.
  • The bank’s quantum scientists, cyber-crime experts and trading specialists will use the insights from this experiment to explore how Quantum Key Distribution can be integrated into key trading tools to secure them against future quantum attacks.
  • In July, HSBC became the first bank to join BT and Toshiba’s quantum secure metro network, installing quantum infrastructure in their Global Headquarters in Canary Wharf.