“Tokenisation is the process of converting sensitive data or real-world assets into non-sensitive, unique digital identifiers (tokens) for secure use, commonly seen in data security (replacing credit card numbers with tokens) or blockchain (representing assets like real estate as digital tokens).” – Tokenisation
Tokenisation is the process of replacing sensitive data or real-world assets with non-sensitive, unique digital identifiers called tokens. These tokens have no intrinsic value or meaning outside their specific context, ensuring security in data handling or asset representation on blockchain networks.
In data security, tokenisation substitutes sensitive information like credit card numbers with tokens stored in secure vaults, allowing safe processing without exposing originals. This meets standards such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA, reducing breach risks as stolen tokens are useless without vault access.
In blockchain and crypto, it converts assets like real estate, artwork, or shares into digital tokens on a blockchain, enabling fractional ownership, trading, and custody while linking to the physical asset in secure facilities.
Typically involves three parties: the data/asset owner, an intermediary (e.g., merchant), and a secure vault provider. Sensitive data is sent to the vault, replaced by a unique token, and the original is discarded or stored securely. Tokens preserve data format and length for system compatibility, unlike encryption which alters them.
Don Tapscott, a pioneering strategist in digital economics and blockchain, is closely linked to asset tokenisation through his co-authorship of Blockchain Revolution (2016). With Alex Tapscott, he popularised the concept of tokenising real-world assets, arguing it democratises finance by enabling fractional ownership and liquidity for illiquid assets like property.
Born in 1947 in Canada, Tapscott began as a management consultant, authoring bestsellers like The Digital Economy (1995), which foresaw internet-driven business shifts. He founded the Tapscott Group and New Paradigm, advising firms and governments. His blockchain work critiques centralised finance, promoting decentralised ledgers for transparency. As Chair of the Blockchain Research Institute, he influences policy, with tokenisation central to his vision of a ‘token economy’ transforming global markets.
3. https://www.fortra.com/blog/what-data-tokenization-key-concepts-and-benefits
4. https://www.fortanix.com/faq/tokenization/data-tokenization
5. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-tokenization
6. https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/tokenization
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