??? Tokenisation hits multi-trillion dollar mark with giants on board

Will tokenisation really make trading and investing easier? Or are there built-in challenges we can't ignore? How will regulators keep tokenisation safe while also supporting innovation?

Today, we'll look into how tokenisation is making investment opportunities more affordable and accessible. We’ll dig into its huge potential, especially with major players starting to adopt it.?

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??? Tokenisation hits multi-trillion dollar mark with giants on board

Tokenisation might go mainstream sooner than we think.

There have been pretty good signs from industry giants, which adds more trust to the concept.

• State Street , for example, is looking into creating stablecoins and tokenised deposits.

• BlackRock , the world's largest asset manager, has already launched a tokenised money market fund on the Ethereum blockchain.
• Even Goldman Sachs is getting ready to launch new tokenisation products.

Regulators on the other side are trying to catch up by rolling out new crypto-specific regulations to provide more clarity and oversight.

To better understand the context and importance of tokenisation, let's take a closer look at its current status and where it’s heading.

Background

• Tokenisation changes investment by making it more affordable and accessible.
• It improves transparency, reduces costs, and changes how assets are traded, priced, and their liquidity.
• New players like crypto exchanges and custodians have entered the scene, while traditional firms are also expanding into digital assets.
• Regulators are getting involved, trying to provide clearer rules and frameworks for this space, like the EU's MiCA regulation.

Today

• Tokenisation is creating new types of assets. Everything from real estate and infrastructure to bonds and carbon credits can now be tokenised.
• ESG is a huge focus, and there's potential for tokenised green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and carbon credits.
• Companies like Coinbase and Fireblocks have emerged, competing and collaborating with traditional players.
• There are already 41 companies in 17 countries trialling property tokenisation.
• The voluntary carbon market is booming, but faces challenges around supply and quality of credits. Digital solutions could help tackle this.

What's Next

• Digital assets are expected to make up 5-10% of global assets by 2030 as crypto, stablecoins, CBDCs, and DeFi continue growing.
• Asset servicers have to adapt to this new scene by providing tailored solutions to the clients.?
• Asset servicers will need to partner with new players and traditional firms to build platform-based solutions.
• The role of asset servicers is growing towards being the "trusted stewards" of assets across multiple blockchains and protocols.

?? Will asset services be able to stay relevant? Or will DeFi make them obsolete?

?? myZoi launches UAE’s first digital wallet for the underbanked to cut remittance fees and improve financial inclusion.?

?? UAE and Indonesia sign MoU to link payment systems and enhance cross-border transactions.

?? Mashreq partner with Profinch to expand globally and improve its tech with Oracle solutions.

?? Raqami Islamic Digital Bank and Paysys Labs partner to upgrade Pakistan’s digital payments with real-time technology.

?? FREENOW integrates Alipay+ to allow Asian tourists to book and pay for taxis in Europe with familiar e-wallets.

?? Jordan Kuwait Bank has launched eliWallet with Mastercard and FOO, a prepaid wallet for multi-currency transactions with virtual and physical cards.

?? Trustly is promoting open banking at checkouts as a cheaper alternative to credit cards , with potential for rewards.

?? Bahrain’s new “open banking” rules will require banks to get customer consent, share information, and report on API performance.

?? Wirex and Visa partner to promote digital currency use with the launch of Wirex Pay, a new payment chain for easy crypto and traditional transactions.

?? SoMon becomes the fastest-growing web3 social app, hitting 300k transactions and 30k registrations within two weeks of launch.

?? Telegram plans to launch a mini app store for blockchain-related activities.

?? Kraken partners with Tottenham as its official crypto and web3 sponsor to increase fan engagement and blockchain adoption.

?? Binance can now invest client funds in U.S. Treasury bonds, adding a safe investment option and potentially attracting new investors.

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??Egyptian fintech company MNT-Halan has raised $157.5 million to fund its upcoming expansion into new markets.

?? Egypt’s dopay raises $13.5 million to expand its digital payroll platform.

?? Majarra acquires NLP tech company Lableb, to strengthen its position in Arabic digital content and step into the AI sector.

?? Muller & Phipps Middle East acquires UAE-based Power League Gaming, planning to scale Dubai operations and expand into Saudi Arabia by Q4 2024.

?? Swyt, a UAE-based IT solutions provider, secures seed funding to boost R&D and expand across the Gulf region.

?? Tokinvest raises $500k in pre-seed funding to improve its infrastructure, expand its team, and speed up market entry.

How to Leverage the Cloud for Digital Banking: Why do banks invest heavily in cloud tech? This report looks into how banks can use the cloud to improve customer experiences and keep up with the high competition from fintechs. It shows that the shift from old, bulky systems to flexible, composable architectures makes banks more agile and ready for market changes. ?Click here to read the full report.

This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, I had the pleasure of hosting Vikram Suri, Managing Director at FIS for the Middle East and Turkey. We discussed FIS’s impact in the GCC and their push to innovate for their clients. We covered topics like balancing tech innovation with stability in banking, new payment methods, the importance of security, and the future of digital assets. Tune in for this insightful episode by clicking here.

Now, a quick break for your wellness. Chief Wellness Officer at FAB Diego Carrete is on a mission to help executives get fit, increase their energy, and live longer.

Today, he explains why we should be doing specific exercises with our kids.

Hello there,?

Kids move much less these days, and screen time affects their brain development negatively. This can affect their vestibular system.

Here are some exercises you can do with your kids to ensure their brain and vestibular system develop:?

1. Rock & Roll: Encourage your child to explore rocking motions early on, whether it's on a yoga ball, balance board, rocking chair, or by swaying to music while standing.?

1. Slide Safely: Sliding down a slide fast while sitting upright is a fun spatial activity. Keep your child safe by spotting them with one hand in front and one behind.?

1. Upside Down Fun: Prioritise activities that invert your child, like gentle dips, hanging from bars, or trying mini handstands against a wall.?

1. Spin Around: Spinning activities – like twirling, using a Frisbee, or tire swing – help your child engage their vestibular system.?

1. Balance Practice: Help your child improve their balance with activities like walking on a curb, balancing on couch cushions, or trying yoga poses.

That’s it for now,

Helpful? See you next week, where we'll talk about 5 Golden rules for body recomposition.?

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