#IslamicFinance

Tokenised sukuk: the missing layer in emerging sovereign debt?

Geopolitical instability in the Middle East and Southeast Asia has created an urgent need for efficient sovereign capital mobilization to fund energy diversification and infrastructure reconstruction. Tokenised sukuk, which are Sharia-compliant certificates representing asset ownership, offer a promising mechanism to address these financing gaps by lowering entry barriers and automating lifecycle processes via smart contracts. While traditional sukuk markets have proven resilient during recent volatility, tokenisation provides a path to enhance liquidity and settlement efficiency through blockchain integration. Early initiatives like INABLR’s 'Sukuk-as-a-Service' on the Tezos blockchain and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank’s Smart Sukuk platform demonstrate the viability of these digital instruments. Malaysia’s sovereign fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, has already piloted tokenised sukuk, signaling a shift toward digital sovereign debt. However, widespread adoption depends on overcoming regulatory fragmentation and establishing common standards for cross-border interoperability. Ultimately, tokenised sukuk represent a critical evolution in Islamic finance, potentially serving as a foundational layer for the future of sovereign debt markets.

omfif.org·Jul 4