Australia Risks Being “Left Behind” as Tokenization Transforms Global Markets – ASIC

Core Viewpoint - Australia's financial regulator warns that the country risks falling behind in the global shift towards blockchain-driven tokenization, urging immediate regulatory modernization to embrace innovation [1][2]. Group 1: Tokenization Overview - Tokenization is transforming capital markets by converting real-world assets into digital tokens, allowing for instant settlement, fractional ownership, and increased investor access [3][6]. - The global market for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) has surpassed $35.8 billion, with private credit and U.S. Treasury debt being the most significant segments [6][7]. Group 2: Comparative Analysis - Longo compares the current wave of tokenization to previous financial technology milestones, emphasizing the need for Australia to innovate or risk stagnation [2][3]. - Other countries, such as Switzerland and the U.K., are advancing in tokenization, with Switzerland's SIX Digital Exchange processing over $3 billion in digital bond issuances [5]. Group 3: Future Projections - The market for tokenized RWAs could expand to $16 trillion by 2030, driven by major financial institutions integrating blockchain into traditional finance [7].