# Asset Tokenization in Financial Markets: The Next Generation of Financial Infrastructure Content type: Research Paper Summary: This report by the World Economic Forum assesses the transformative potential of asset tokenization for the global financial system. The analysis examines how DLT-based infrastructure can improve efficiency, transparency, and market access. The WEF emphasizes that tokenization is not merely a technological upgrade but a fundamental shift in market structure that necessitates collaboration between public and private stakeholders. The document provides a framework for evaluating the business case Key concepts: World Economic Forum, wef, financial markets, infrastructure, policy, tokenization, global finance
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Asset Tokenization in Financial Markets: The Next Generation of Financial Infrastructure

World Economic Forum

Technical ReportJanuary 2025

Abstract

This report by the World Economic Forum assesses the transformative potential of asset tokenization for the global financial system. The analysis examines how DLT-based infrastructure can improve efficiency, transparency, and market access. The WEF emphasizes that tokenization is not merely a technological upgrade but a fundamental shift in market structure that necessitates collaboration between public and private stakeholders. The document provides a framework for evaluating the business case for tokenization, considering factors such as clearing and settlement speed, capital efficiency, and operational risk. Furthermore, it addresses the policy implications, urging global harmonisation to prevent regulatory fragmentation. The report concludes with actionable recommendations for financial institutions and regulators, highlighting the importance of developing scalable, interoperable, and compliant DLT infrastructure to support the next generation of global capital markets.

Key Findings

  • 1Tokenization will likely lead to a reduction in settlement times to near-instantaneous.
  • 2Interoperability between public and private DLTs is critical for global market integration.
  • 3Regulatory harmonization is the primary driver for institutional adoption.
  • 4Asset tokenization enables new models for capital market participation and fractionalized ownership.

Topics

weffinancial marketsinfrastructurepolicytokenizationglobal finance
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Citation

World Economic Forum (2025). Asset Tokenization in Financial Markets: The Next Generation of Financial Infrastructure. Technical Report. https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Asset_Tokenization_in_Financial_Markets_2025.pdf

BibTeX

@misc{assettokenization2025,
  title = {Asset Tokenization in Financial Markets: The Next Generation of Financial Infrastructure},
  author = {World Economic Forum},
  year = {2025},
  howpublished = {\url{https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Asset_Tokenization_in_Financial_Markets_2025.pdf}},
}

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