Tokenized Debt

Definition ∞ Tokenized debt represents a financial obligation or loan that has been converted into a digital token on a blockchain. This transformation allows debt instruments to be fractionalized, traded, and managed programmatically using smart contracts. Each token can represent a portion of the debt, with its terms and conditions recorded immutably on the ledger. Tokenized debt offers increased liquidity, transparency, and efficiency compared to traditional debt markets, potentially reducing settlement times and administrative costs. It enables new forms of decentralized lending and credit markets, broadening access to capital.
Context ∞ News regarding tokenized debt often focuses on the emergence of new decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols offering on-chain lending and borrowing solutions. Discussions frequently involve the integration of real-world assets into blockchain systems as collateral for tokenized debt. Regulatory bodies are also examining how to classify and oversee these digital debt instruments, given their potential to disrupt traditional financial markets.