Tokenisation: a better way to own what you own

Tokenization represents a fundamental rewiring of the financial system, replacing legacy, paper-heavy infrastructure with blockchain-based smart contracts to eliminate friction and duplicate ledgers. By converting assets into self-sovereign code, this shift enables 24/7 trading, improved liquidity, and greater accessibility for global investors. Theo Golden, Head of Digital Assets at Baillie Gifford, explains that tokenization functions like an operating system upgrade, allowing assets to become active, interoperable "Lego bricks" that support emerging agentic economies. Current momentum stems from the maturation of stablecoins, more progressive regulatory environments like the UK’s FCA, and a generational shift in institutional leadership. Ultimately, this transition aims to provide a more efficient, transparent, and user-centric financial ecosystem, moving beyond traditional, heavily intermediated models to deliver superior client outcomes through shared, verifiable records of truth.