The Digital Finance Initiative (DFI) is a Guernsey Financial Services Commission programme to support the positioning of the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a trusted, agile, and forward-thinking jurisdiction for digital financial innovation.
DFI serves as the umbrella identity for:
-
Digital Finance Regulatory Strategy - a framework that supports innovation in blockchain, tokenisation, stablecoins, and emerging financial technologies - while maintaining robust oversight and international alignment;
-
Industry Engagement via the Digital Forum - a platform for dialogue and collaboration. The Forum invites stakeholders to shape the future of digital finance through roundtables, workshops and consultations; and
-
Innovation Sandbox + Concierge - a structured pathway for firms to launch new products and services under tailored licensing conditions, with insight from the Commission.
Guernsey’s strengths - stability, agility and credibility - make it uniquely positioned to thrive in the evolving digital finance landscape. With a proven track record in financial services and a commitment to innovation, DFI reflects the jurisdiction’s readiness to embrace the future of finance.
Whether you're a startup, a global firm, or a policy leader, DFI offers a gateway to meaningful engagement, regulatory clarity, and sustainable growth.
What's next in the DFI?
As part of the DFI:
- We are reviewing opportunities to enhance the guidance within the Handbook on Countering Financial Crime with a focus on supporting firms using technology effectively to combat financial crime efficiently;
- With the launch of the Innovation Sandbox + Concierge, we're reinforcing our openness to early conversations to discuss licensing novel digital finance propositions; and
- We are consulting on reducing our Virtual Asset Service Provider licence application fees.
Digital Forum
The Digital Forum is a collaborative space for industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and policy thinkers to help shape the future of digital finance in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
As part of the DFI, the Forum hosts a series of roundtable discussions focused on emerging technologies, regulatory priorities, and strategic opportunities. These sessions are designed to be open and discursive - bringing together diverse perspectives to inform what the DFI should do next.
Upcoming Roundtable
Details of our next roundtable will be shared here soon.
Previous Roundtables
Artificial Intelligence in Finance: Innovation, Oversight and Opportunity
Date: 1 December 2025
Location: Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey
The Commission hosted two roundtable discussions under Chatham House rules on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial services, bringing together industry representatives and service providers.
Participants shared practical experiences and emerging opportunities for AI adoption. While most firms are currently using embedded tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT, there is growing interest in more advanced applications, including data analytics, client engagement and risk management.
Discussions explored governance, data quality and security considerations. Attendees highlighted the value of education for boards and leadership teams, alongside case studies to build confidence and capability.
Insights from these sessions will inform future policy development and engagement initiatives. We welcome continued dialogue with interested parties as this work progresses.
Custody of digital assets
Date: 22 October 2025
Location: Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey
The Commission hosted two further roundtable discussions focussing on the custody of digital assets with a wide cross section of participants from across the financial, advisory and legal services sectors. Discussions, which were held under Chatham House Rules, covered all aspects of custody and safeguarding of the various types of digital assets. Once again, we would like to extend our thanks to all who participated in these sessions and the valuable insights and ideas they provided. These helped inform policy development in this area for the consultation paper due to be launched in December 2025. We welcome any further engagement with those who might have been unable to attend these sessions and any other interested stakeholders.
Stablecoin Infrastructure
Date: 16 September 2025
Location: Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey
We hosted two roundtable discussions under Chatham House rules on the topic of stablecoin. We were pleased to welcome over 40 participants from across the financial services and advisory sectors. Discussions focused on the potential use of stablecoin in the Bailiwick, sector-specific applications, and the development of an appropriate regulatory framework. We are grateful to all who contributed to these valuable conversations, and we welcome ongoing engagement from those who were unable to join and other stakeholders. Insights from these sessions, as well as future workshops, help inform policy development, such as the consultation paper due to be launched in December 2025.
Tokenisation
Date: 17 July 2025
Location: Glategny Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey
We hosted a roundtable discussion on tokenisation, involving a cross section of industry representatives with knowledge and interest in the subject discussing the current and potential use cases of the technology in the Guernsey financial services sector and how the regulatory framework might facilitate its use. The event was well-supported and the discussion focused primarily on fund tokenisation and tokenised securities. Several follow-up, bilateral meetings have followed on from this initial event and engagement will continue.
The intention is to use this engagement to inform refinement and development of new and existing policy on digital assets, such as the consultation paper due to be launched in December 2025.
Innovation Sandbox + Concierge
The Innovation Sandbox + Concierge offers an environment for firms to launch innovative products and services within a structured framework paired with a regulatory concierge service. Whether you're exploring blockchain, tokenisation, AI-driven finance, or other innovative solutions, the Innovation Sandbox + Concierge is designed to help you engage with the regulatory landscape in a constructive and informed way.
Contact & Support
-
Ask us about DFI: [email protected]
-
Guernsey Finance promotes and connect Guernsey as a leading international finance centre in key markets and can connect you to Guernsey’s financial services experts.