Lloyds completes UK’s first gilt purchase using tokenized deposits via Canton Network and Archax

On Jan 7, 2026 Lloyds Banking Group completed the first U.K. gilt purchase using tokenized deposits. Lloyds issued tokenized deposits on the Canton Network; Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets used those tokenized deposits to buy a tokenized gilt from crypto trading platform Archax; Archax then moved the underlying cash back to its regular Lloyds account. Lloyds said benefits included instant settlement, automated agreements, improved transparency and security. Tokenized deposits can still earn interest and remain covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Participants were Lloyds, Archax and the Canton Network.
AI Analysis
The transaction is a concrete first-of-its-kind adoption: tokenized deposits were issued on the Canton Network and used to buy a tokenized gilt on Archax, with underlying funds returned to a regular Lloyds account. Lloyds highlighted operational benefits (instant settlement, automation, transparency, security) and noted deposits still earn interest and stay covered by FSCS. The story signals positive institutional adoption but contains no tradeable price, issuance size, or regulatory change, so market-moving impact is low.