UBS has successfully completed two proof-of-concept projects in collaboration with blockchain engineering firm Nethermind, demonstrating how the public Ethereum network could support the operational and regulatory requirements of financial institutions without modifying its underlying protocol.
The pilot initiatives were designed to evaluate whether public blockchain infrastructure can accommodate the strict compliance standards required by banks and other regulated organizations. According to the participating companies, the results represent an important step toward making public blockchain technology more accessible to the traditional financial sector.
The two proof-of-concept projects demonstrated that regulated financial institutions can implement compliance controls on top of the public Ethereum network while preserving its openness, neutrality, and interoperability.
Compliance Built Without Changing Ethereum
A central objective of the collaboration was to determine whether financial institutions could satisfy regulatory obligations without altering Ethereum’s core architecture. The partners reported that the tests showed compliance measures can be integrated into the operational systems used by banks rather than embedded within the blockchain protocol itself.
This approach allows institutions to maintain compatibility with the broader Ethereum ecosystem while meeting governance, risk management, and regulatory expectations. By keeping the underlying network unchanged, the solution supports broader interoperability and avoids fragmenting the public blockchain environment.
Custom Controls and Transaction Routing Tested
The project focused on two critical stages of blockchain transaction processing.
First, UBS and Nethermind configured an Ethereum node capable of applying customizable compliance and risk management controls. These controls included restrictions that allowed transactions only from pre-approved wallet addresses while preventing interactions with selected smart contracts based on institutional policies.
Second, the teams developed a routing component designed to send approved transaction bundles through relay services directly to selected builders, helping ensure that validated transactions were reliably included on the blockchain.
UBS and Nethermind have completed two joint proofs of concept showing that a public, permissionless network can support the compliance and operational needs of regulated financial institutions.
The PoCs show that banks and asset managers can apply strong compliance controls… pic.twitter.com/uJuDGPupGn
— Nethermind (@Nethermind) June 23, 2026
The pilots, conducted on Ethereum’s Sepolia test network, consistently processed compliant transactions without involving any live client activity, highlighting the potential for institutional-grade blockchain operations.
Supporting Digital and Tokenized Asset Strategies
According to UBS, the initiative aligns with its broader strategy of expanding capabilities in digital and tokenized assets through a responsible and client-focused approach. The bank indicated that the project demonstrated how institutional controls and public blockchain interoperability can coexist without compromising Ethereum‘s fundamental principles of openness and neutrality.
Nethermind also viewed the collaboration as a significant achievement, noting that the results illustrate how infrastructure-level solutions can satisfy institutional requirements while preserving the accessibility and interoperability of public blockchain networks.
The collaboration highlights a growing industry shift toward leveraging public blockchain infrastructure instead of isolated private networks, enabling regulated institutions to access digital asset ecosystems while maintaining compliance and governance standards.
Public Blockchain Adoption Gains Momentum
The successful completion of the pilots reflects a broader trend within the financial industry, where banks and other regulated organizations are increasingly evaluating public blockchain technology for digital asset applications. Rather than relying exclusively on private blockchain systems, institutions are exploring methods that combine the transparency and connectivity of public networks with robust compliance frameworks.
Both UBS and Nethermind indicated that they intend to build upon these proof-of-concept projects as blockchain technology and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of public blockchain infrastructure in traditional financial services.
