Surge in Tokenized Assets in South Africa

Many organizations in South Africa are exploring how to utilize blockchain technology for tangible assets, given its numerous benefits.

Assets that were once difficult to trade, expensive, and generally accessible only to large institutions can now be traded by a broader range of investors. Additionally, these assets can be settled almost instantly and stored alongside other blockchain assets in digital wallets.

Tokenisation denotes the digital representation of ownership of real assets through tokens on a blockchain.

Examples of tokenised real assets include government bonds, real estate, private equity shares, and money market funds.

The ramifications of tokenisation could be significant for local asset managers.

A fund that typically takes weeks to settle and mandates a minimum investment of millions of rand could, in its tokenised form, settle in seconds and be available to a much larger pool of investors.

A portfolio of government bonds could act as collateral in real time, while private credit could be fragmented and traded on digital platforms.

The efficiency advantages are already being realized by global institutions, and the required infrastructure for local adaptation is currently being developed.

Luno has introduced over 60 tokenised US stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for South African investors, with more than 50,000 customers investing in tokenised stocks since its launch in August 2025.

The discourse surrounding stablecoins closely relates to tokenisation because digital cash is necessary to settle transactions involving tokenised assets.

This is exactly what South Africa’s rand-backed stablecoin, ZARU, strives to accomplish. Launched earlier this year, ZARU was created through a consortium that includes Sanlam, Luno, EasyEquities, and Lesaka.

The tokenisation market for real-world assets reached $33.91 billion in 2025, showing a 70% year-on-year increase.

Global market forecasts differ, from McKinsey’s cautious estimate of $4 trillion by 2030 to Standard Chartered’s optimistic prediction of $30 trillion by 2034.

Prominent financial institutions including BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, JPMorgan, and Fidelity have already tokenised US Treasuries.

In April 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that tokenisation represents a fundamental shift in financial architecture.

Conference

Tokenisation will be a focal point among South Africa’s leading thinkers and institutions at the Luno Institutional Digital Assets Conference (LIDAC26) on 11 June 2026 at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

Confirmed speakers include Luno CEO James Lanigan, Sanlam Financial Markets CEO Jacques le Roux, Deputy Minister of Finance Ashor Sarupen, economist Adrian Saville, and independent economic strategist Refilwe Moloto.

Attendance is by application only, with limited spots available.

If you’re interested in learning how institutions can leverage tokenisation, apply here.

About Luno

Luno is a leading digital asset investment platform committed to improving the global financial system. Founded in 2013, it has earned the trust of over 16 million users across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Luno has expanded its offerings beyond cryptocurrencies to include a wide array of digital asset investments, encompassing tokenised assets and bundles that combine crypto with shares in top global companies.

Luno provides individuals, professional traders, businesses, and institutions with secure, accessible, and innovative means to invest in the digital economy.

• Luno is ISO27001 certified, ensuring strong security measures across all areas of its operations.
• In 2025, Luno was recognized as the most secure crypto platform globally by Upguard, a third-party cyber risk evaluation service.
• Luno publishes an independently verified proof of reserve report monthly.
• Luno topped the list of crypto exchanges in both the 2025 and 2026 MyBroadband surveys, as well as in the February 2025 Analytico survey of South Africa’s preferred technology brands.

www.luno.com

Investing in crypto assets carries the risk of capital loss. Luno (Pty) Ltd is an authorized financial services provider (FSP No. 53314) and a registered credit provider (NCRCP22123).

This information is not financial, tax, legal, investment, or any other type of advice; nor is it an encouragement to trade. It is intended as general market commentary for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.

Moneyweb does not endorse any products or services mentioned in sponsored articles on our platform.