Singapore’s largest bank, DBS, has launched tokenized structured notes on the Ethereum public blockchain, targeting accredited and institutional investors.
These notes, distributed through platforms like ADDX, DigiFT, and HydraX, are crypto-linked participation notes that pay cash returns when cryptocurrency prices rise while incorporating safeguards to limit losses during market downturns. By tokenizing the notes into $1,000 units—down from the traditional $100,000 minimum—DBS enhances liquidity and accessibility, making them more fungible and easier to trade.
The bank reported over $1 billion in trading volume for these instruments in the first half of 2025, with a 60% increase from Q1 to Q2. This move aligns with Singapore’s push to become a global hub for tokenized finance, supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Project Guardian and Global Layer One initiatives.
DBS plans to expand tokenization to equity- and credit-linked notes, reflecting growing institutional demand for digital assets. By lowering the minimum investment from $100,000 to $1,000, tokenization makes structured notes accessible to a broader range of accredited and institutional investors.
This could expand the investor pool, increase market participation, and drive demand for tokenized financial products in Singapore and beyond. Tokenized notes are more fungible and easier to trade on digital platforms like ADDX, DigiFT, and HydraX.
This improves liquidity compared to traditional structured notes, which often have limited secondary market trading, enabling faster and more efficient transactions. DBS’s initiative aligns with Singapore’s ambition to lead in digital asset innovation, supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Guardian and Global Layer One.
This strengthens Singapore’s position as a global hub for tokenized finance, potentially attracting more fintech and blockchain firms. The issuance of tokenized notes on the Ethereum blockchain signals growing institutional confidence in public blockchains for financial applications.
Portfolio Diversification and Risk Management
The crypto-linked participation notes offer returns tied to cryptocurrency price increases while incorporating safeguards to limit losses. This appeals to investors seeking exposure to digital assets with controlled risk, potentially diversifying portfolios in a volatile market.
The success of DBS’s tokenized notes could prompt regulators to further refine frameworks for digital assets, balancing innovation with investor protection. Singapore’s proactive regulatory approach may set a global standard for tokenized securities.
DBS’s plans to tokenize equity- and credit-linked notes suggest a broader shift toward tokenizing diverse asset classes. This could reshape capital markets, enabling fractional ownership and new investment opportunities across asset types.
Benefits of Tokenization
Tokenization divides high-value assets into smaller, affordable units (e.g., $1,000 vs. $100,000), lowering barriers to entry and enabling more investors to participate. Digital tokens are easily tradable on blockchain-based platforms, reducing friction and enhancing liquidity compared to traditional securities.
Blockchain’s immutable ledger ensures transparent, tamper-proof records of ownership and transactions, reducing counterparty risk and enhancing trust. Tokenization streamlines processes like issuance, settlement, and custody by leveraging smart contracts, reducing intermediaries and operational costs.
Tokenized assets can be traded on digital platforms accessible worldwide, expanding market reach and enabling 24/7 trading without geographic restrictions. Smart contracts embedded in tokenized assets enable automated features like dividend payments or risk safeguards, improving efficiency and customization.
DBS’s tokenized structured notes demonstrate how tokenization can transform traditional finance, offering scalability, efficiency, and inclusivity while positioning Singapore as a leader in the global digital asset landscape.







