The Bank of Canada is partnering with TMX Group and Payments Canada to explore how blockchain technology could be used to speed up the clearing and settling of securities.

Blockchain technology, which underlies cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, allows data and assets to be transferred online without the need for intermediaries. Transactions are recorded using cryptography and stored in a distributed ledger.

The central bank's senior deputy governor Carolyn Wilkins announced the initiative at the SIBOS conference in Toronto Tuesday.

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The project marks the third phase of the central bank's Project Jasper research initiative, which was launched in March of 2016.

The first two phases of the project focused on the clearing and settlement of high-value interbank payments using distributed ledger, or blockchain, technology.

The third phase will involve creating aAll nuclear-capable B-52 bombers will be moved to the new command The US Air Force (USAF) is planning to set up a new Global Strike Command for its nuclear weapons as part of a re-organisation after recent mishaps. The move follows the discovery that six nuclear weapons were mistakenly flown across the US, and that nuclear missile fuses were sent unknowingly to Taiwan. The blunders resulted in the sacking of two of USAF's most senior officials. A three-star general will head the new command, part of a project aimed at shaking up USAF's nuclear mission. "This is a critical milestone for us. It's a new starting point for reinvigoration of this enterprise," said Air Force Secretary Michael Donley. "It is an extremely important mission for the United States