Tokenization is the process of converting assets or rights into digital tokens that can be stored, transferred, and tracked on a blockchain. These tokens can represent a wide variety of assets, such as physical assets like real estate or art, financial assets like stocks or bonds, or even access rights to a service or platform.
The most common type of tokenization is when it is used to create digital assets that can be traded on blockchain networks. This process allows for creating tokens that can be purchased and sold, rather than traded in physical assets, that would otherwise take a long time and cost to execute.
Real Application – Why Tokenization?
There are several reasons why tokenization has become a popular method for managing assets:
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Liquidity: Tokenization can increase the liquidity of assets that were previously difficult to trade. For example, tokenizing a piece of real estate can make it much easier to buy and sell shares in that property, even if the property itself is difficult to move or divide.
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Fractional ownership: Allows for fractional ownership of an asset, which can make it more accessible to a larger number of investors. For example, tokenizing an expensive artwork can allow many people to own a small piece of the artwork rather than only one person owning the entire piece.
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Automation and transparency: Allows for the automation of many processes traditionally done manually, such as the transfer of assets or the verification of identities. This can reduce the costs and complexity of many types of transactions and agreements and reduce the risk of errors or fraud.
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Access to global markets: Can allow assets to be traded and transferred globally, with lower barriers to entry and faster transaction times. This can create new opportunities for investors and businesses to access new markets..
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Cost-efficiency: Allows for the reduction of the cost of storing and managing assets. For example, with tokenization, there is no need to store valuable artwork or precious metal physically. This reduces the costs of storing and insuring the asset.
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Decentralization: Tokenization can enable decentralized ownership and management of assets, which can eliminate the need for intermediaries and centralized control. This can result in greater transparency, security, and control for the parties involved.
Keep in mind that the benefits of tokenization depend on the specific implementation and use case. Tokenization can have legal and regulatory implications, so it’s essential to research and consult experts before tokenizing an asset.
How do you create a Token?
The tokenization process involves the creation of a smart contract that represents the ownership of the asset and defines the rules of how the token can be transferred and managed. The smart contract is then deployed to the blockchain, and tokens are issued to represent the assets. These tokens can be purchased and sold on exchanges to access the rights and benefits associated with the underlying asset.
A smart contract is a digital set of rules and functions that the blockchain network can automatically execute. It is written in programing language and defines the properties and behaviors of the token. Here is a broad outline of the steps you should take to create a token on a blockchain:
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Choose a blockchain platform: There are several blockchain platforms that you can use to create a token, such as Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, or TRON. Each platform has its own set of rules and requirements, so you’ll need to choose one that is appropriate for your use case.
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Write the smart contract code: To create a token, you’ll need to write a smart contract in the programming language supported by the blockchain platform you chose. The smart contract defines the properties of your token, such as the total supply and the token’s name. There are also several pre-existing libraries that you can use to create the smart contract, like OpenZeppelin. You can use these libraries to create your own ERC-20 token, a very common standard in Ethereum.
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Test the smart contract: Before deploying the smart contract to the blockchain, it’s a good idea to test it to ensure it works as expected. This can be done by creating a test environment, which is a simulated blockchain network that you can use to test your smart contract.
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Deploy the smart contract: Once you have tested your smart contract, you can deploy it to the blockchain by sending a transaction to the blockchain that includes the smart contract code. This is called a “contract deployment transaction.” After it is deployed, it becomes a part of the blockchain and can’t be modified.
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Distribute the tokens: After the smart contract is deployed, you can distribute the tokens by sending them to the addresses of the people you want to have them.
Remember that creating a token on a blockchain can be a complex process, especially if you are unfamiliar with the underlying technology. In addition, it is crucial to consider the legal consequences of creating a token and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
It is always important to consult with the experts and do your own research before creating your own token, as the ecosystem is constantly evolving and changing, and the way of creating a token may also vary.
