FX settlement provider CLS invests in blockchain consortium R3

Foreign exchange settlement provider CLS has invested $5 million in R3, the New York-based blockchain startup, CLS and R3 told Reuters on Wednesday. CLS, which settles over $5 trillion of payment instructions a day for its members, will take a seat on R3's board of directors, the companies said.
The deal forms part of the third tranche of R3's fundraiser, which included investments from Singapore real estate firm OUE and Japanese IT services provider TIS, according to a person familiar with the matter. OUE and TIS also invested $5 million each in R3, the person said. OUE and TIS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.