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IOSCO Warns Tokenization of Traditional Assets Introduces New Technology Risks

The watchdog concludes many issues still fit existing securities rules, with the blockchain layer introducing distinct vulnerabilities.

Overview

  • In a report published Tuesday, the global securities regulator said tokens tied to stocks, bonds and other assets could expose investors to risks not fully captured by current practices.
  • IOSCO flagged ownership uncertainty arising from varied token structures, including confusion over rights to the underlying asset versus the token itself.
  • The report warns that third-party token issuers create counterparty risk and that growing links to crypto markets could transmit shocks through spill-over effects.
  • Adoption remains limited even as commercial interest grows, with new tokenized products appearing on online brokers and experiments by firms such as Nasdaq while other Wall Street players stay cautious.
  • Efficiency claims are uneven because trading still depends on traditional infrastructure, and issuers rarely disclose measurable cost or speed improvements.