Infrastructure Tokenization

This report assesses whether the use of blockchain to digitize equity or debt financing for infrastructure projects (tokenization) provides sufficient benefits to justify its adoption, specifically to inform the World Bank's potential exploration of the technology.

• The primary obstacle to utilizing blockchain for infrastructure financing is the absence of regulatory frameworks specifically designed for tokenized securities, despite some progress in a small number of countries.
• While tokenization aims to democratize finance by reducing minimum investment sizes, securities regulations have frequently limited access to accredited investors in existing projects.
• Tokenization involves converting asset ownership, debt, or physical assets into digital tokens on a blockchain, which can increase liquidity and tradability for historically illiquid assets through automation and disintermediation.
• Blockchain technology, characterized by decentralization, immutability, and transparency, can potentially improve the financing and management of infrastructure through Security Token Offerings (STOs) and streamlined post-trade processes such as clearing and settlement.
• Tokenized securities are distinguished from crypto assets in that they serve as digital vehicles for equity or debt and are subject to the same regulations as traditional off-chain equivalents.

APA

Rahim,, D. U. (2023). Infrastructure Tokenization. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/infrastructure-tokenization-blockchain-financing

Chicago

Rahim,, David Uzsoki,Safa. Infrastructure Tokenization. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/infrastructure-tokenization-blockchain-financing.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rahim, |first1=David Uzsoki,Safa |title=Infrastructure Tokenization |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=18 April 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/infrastructure-tokenization-blockchain-financing |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rahim2023infrastructure, author = {Rahim,, David Uzsoki,Safa}, title = {{Infrastructure Tokenization}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/infrastructure-tokenization-blockchain-financing}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }