TOKENIZATION
Industry Use Cases Using Blockchain
TOKENIZATION
Tokenization in blockchain refers to the process of converting rights to an asset
whether physical (like real estate or gold) or digital (like data or intellectual
property) into a digital token on a blockchain network.
A token is a representation of an object or digital representations of assets.
Just like the general use of tokens in day-to-day life, in the blockchain world,
tokens also represent something of value. However, the critical difference is
that the token exists digitally on a blockchain and is operated
cryptographically, which means that they are generated, protected, and
transferred using cryptographic protocols.
Therefore, tokenization as a process that converts an asset to a digital token
on a blockchain. Specifically, it is a process of converting the ownership rights
of a real-world asset into a cryptographic/digital token on a blockchain.
It can be used to represent commodities, real estate, ownership of art,
currency, or anything else of value.
ADVANTAGES OF TOKENIZATION
Tokenization offers a wide range of advantages, transforming the way assets are
managed, exchanged, and utilized within financial and non-financial systems.
Below are some of the most significant benefits:
Faster Transaction Processing: Since all parties and transaction data reside
on the blockchain, there's no need for intermediaries, counterparty
confirmations, or manual settlement. Blockchain enables seamless, near-
instant execution of transactions, significantly speeding up processing.
Increased Flexibility: With global adoption of token-based systems
particularly in payments tokenized assets are easier to manage across borders.
This supports greater interoperability and accessibility on an international
scale.
Cost Efficiency: Compared to traditional financial systems, tokenization
reduces both implementation and transaction costs. Digitization eliminates
several intermediaries, lowering fees for end users and streamlining
operations. Tokenization also increases overall system efficiency by enabling
asset liquidity and reducing redundancy such as sharing customer data
securely across institutions.
ADVANTAGES OF TOKENIZATION
Decentralization: Tokens typically operate on public blockchains, benefiting
from the decentralized nature of these networks. While some degree of
centralization may be introduced for compliance or governance, the underlying
technology promotes distributed control and peer-to-peer interactions.
Enhanced Security: Tokenized assets are secured through cryptographic
methods inherent to blockchain. As long as implementation follows industry
best practices and standards, the system offers a high level of protection
against tampering and fraud.
Transparency and Auditability: Transactions involving tokens are recorded
on a public, immutable ledger. This ensures transparency and allows all
activities to be auditable by anyone, enhancing accountability in the system.
Improved Trust: The combination of security, transparency, and
decentralization fosters greater trust among users and investors. With less
dependence on central authorities, participants can rely on the underlying
technology for fairness and accuracy.
ADVANTAGES OF TOKENIZATION
Fractional Ownership: Tokenization allows assets to be divided into smaller
units, enabling multiple parties to hold fractional shares. This makes high-value
assets like fine art, real estate, or collectibles accessible to a wider range of
investors without complex legal structures.
Lower Entry Barriers: Traditional financial systems often involve lengthy
verification processes and multiple intermediaries. Blockchain-based
tokenization simplifies entry, allowing users to engage by simply accessing a
decentralized application (DApp), depositing funds, and interacting with the
ecosystem secured by the cryptographic trust model of blockchain.
Innovation in Financial Applications: Tokenization has paved the way for
novel applications such as decentralized lending platforms, insurance products,
and decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Securities can now be tokenized and
traded with increased speed and reliability, leading to improved customer
satisfaction.
Greater Liquidity: Tokenization increases market liquidity by making
previously illiquid assets like real estate or artworks easily tradable. By
enabling fractional ownership and public trading, these assets become
DISADVANTAGES OF
TOKENIZATION
With all these advantages, there are, however, some issues that must be
addressed in the tokenization ecosystem:
Regulatory Challenges: Regulation remains one of the most debated issues
in the realm of tokenization. Traditional financial systems offer regulatory
oversight and recourse through authorities and ombudsman services. In
contrast, blockchain networks, especially those that are decentralized, often
lack a central entity responsible for oversight or customer support. This raises
the question of accountability when something goes wrong. While the
emergence of security token standards and legislation has started addressing
these gaps by treating certain tokens as securities and applying conventional
regulatory frameworks many issues remain unresolved. These evolving
regulations aim to build investor trust but require further development and
international alignment.
DISADVANTAGES OF
TOKENIZATION
Emerging Financial Crimes: The tokenization ecosystem opens up avenues
for new, technically complex forms of financial crime. These threats differ
significantly from traditional fraud methods and are often difficult for the
average user to detect. For instance, front-running and market manipulation on
decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms are increasingly concerning, highlighting
the need for robust monitoring and security mechanisms.
Legal Status of Tokens: The legality of owning, trading, or using tokens
varies across jurisdictions. In some countries, cryptocurrencies and tokens are
banned or heavily restricted, which limits their adoption and hinders the
growth of tokenized ecosystems. This legal uncertainty poses a risk to both
developers and investors.
Technological Barriers: Although tokenized systems are designed for
efficiency, they can pose a challenge to individuals unfamiliar with digital tools.
Many users are accustomed to traditional, in-person banking systems and may
struggle with navigating blockchain-based applications or trading platforms.
The complexity of interfaces, lack of user-friendly tools, and general
technological illiteracy among some segments of the population can become
significant barriers to entry.
DISADVANTAGES OF
TOKENIZATION
Security Vulnerabilities: While blockchain technology is inherently secure
due to its cryptographic foundations, security issues can still arise particularly
at the application layer. Smart contracts and decentralized applications
(DApps) built on top of the blockchain may contain bugs or design flaws that
can be exploited by attackers. These vulnerabilities often stem from poor
development practices, immature coding languages, or the rapidly evolving
nature of the ecosystem. As a result, users may face financial losses even if the
underlying blockchain remains uncompromised.
TYPES OF TOKENS
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, so does the variety and
complexity of tokens built on top of it. Before diving into the different types of
tokens, it's important to distinguish between coins and tokens.
A coin is the native cryptocurrency of a blockchain; Bitcoin on the Bitcoin
blockchain and Ether on the Ethereum blockchain are prime examples. These
coins function as the base layer currency of their respective networks.
In contrast, a token is a digital asset created on an existing blockchain,
typically to represent assets or access services. For instance, while Ether is the
native coin of Ethereum, thousands of additional tokens used in applications
like games, finance, or decentralized services have been built on the Ethereum
network using its smart contract capabilities.
Tokens can be divided broadly into two categories based on their usage:
fungible tokens and non-fungible tokens.
FUNGIBLE TOKENS
Fungible tokens are digital assets that are interchangeable, divisible, and
identical in value and type. (OR) From an economics perspective, fungibility is
the interchangeability of an asset with other assets of the same type.
Similar to traditional currency (e.g., one $10 bill is equivalent to any other $10
bill), these tokens do not have unique characteristics that differentiate one
from another. Examples include cryptocurrencies like Ether or stablecoins like
USDT.
Fungible tokens work on the same principle. They are:
1. Indistinguishable: Tokens of the same type are indistinguishable from each
other. In other words, they are identical.
2. Interchangeable: A token is fully interchangeable with another token of the
same value.
3. Divisible: Tokens are divisible into smaller fractions.
NON FUNGIBLE TOKENS (NFTS)
Non-fungible tokens or NFTs or nifty, are unique, non-interchangeable, and
often indivisible digital assets. Unlike fungible tokens, NFTs represent
ownership of unique items or attributes such as digital artwork, in-game
collectibles, or certificates.
Examples include a rare digital painting or a unique game character. For
example, a collectible painting is a non-fungible asset, as it cannot be replaced
with another painting of the same type and value. Each painting is unique and
distinguishable from others.
One of the earliest and most popular uses of NFTs was the game CryptoKitties,
where users could buy, sell, and breed unique digital cats.
NON FUNGIBLE TOKENS (NFTS)
NFTs are:
1. Unique: NFTs are unique and different from other tokens of the same type or
in the same category.
2. Non-interchangeable: Since they are unique and represent specific
attributes, these tokens are not interchangeable with tokens of the same
type. For example, a rare painting is unique due to its attributes and is not
interchangeable with another, even an exact-looking replica. We can also
think about the certificate of authenticity that comes with a rare painting:
that is also non-interchangeable with another due to its unique attributes
representing the rare art.
3. Indivisible: These tokens are available only as a complete unit. For
example, a college diploma is a unique asset that’s distinguishable from
other diplomas of the same type. It is associated with a unique individual and
is thus not interchangeable and it is not rational for it to be divided into
fractions, making it indivisible.
NON FUNGIBLE TOKENS (NFTS)
Popular NFT-based projects include:
CryptoKitties
Gods Unchained
Decentraland
Skyweaver
My Crypto Heroes
STABLE TOKENS
Stable tokens are designed to minimize volatility by pegging their value to
traditional assets like fiat currencies or precious metals. These are especially
useful for everyday transactions where price stability is essential. Examples
include:
USDT (Tether) – Pegged to the US Dollar
USDC – A regulated stablecoin issued by Coinbase and Circle
Price stability is typically maintained through collateralization, where the token
is backed by reserves (like USD or gold), and sometimes algorithmic control.
Unlike volatile assets like Bitcoin, stable tokens offer a more predictable store
of value.