Digital Assets Go Big: Malaysia’s 3-Year Tokenization Roadmap Revealed

Malaysia’s central bank has launched a three-year push to test tokenizing real-world assets, aiming to move experiments from concepts into live trials.

The plan sets out pilots and proof-of-concepts that regulators and industry will run together over the next few years.

Malaysia: Digital Asset Innovation Hub Moves Into Action

Based on reports, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission have created a Digital Asset Innovation Hub and an Industry Working Group to guide projects.

The hub will host pilots on things like supply-chain finance for small and medium sized enterprises, Shariah-compliant finance, and green or ESG-linked instruments.

These are the first use cases BNM has highlighted. The goal is to test ways tokenized assets might improve access to funds and make settlement clearer for smaller firms.

A Three-Year Roadmap With Pilots Beginning In 2026

Reports have disclosed the roadmap runs for three years and points to proofs-of-concept and pilot testing in 2026, with wider trials planned in 2027.

Industry consultation is open until one March 2026, giving firms a chance to send feedback on rules and technical designs.

Regulators are studying how tokenized deposits, stablecoins, and even linkages to a wholesale central bank digital currency might fit into existing systems. How those pieces will work together has not been fixed yet.

There are practical questions that remain. Will tokenized assets trade on public blockchains or in permissioned systems? How will legal ownership be recorded when an asset is split into tokens?

Based on reports, regulators want to protect retail investors while still letting firms test real use cases. That balancing act will be crucial.

Focus On SMEs And Shariah Finance While Monitoring Risks

The push could open new funding routes for SMEs, help make cross-border settlements easier, and offer Islamic finance structures in token form. But it also carries risks. Market integrity, consumer protection, and operational resilience will need close checks.

Regulators are expected to set guardrails before any large rollouts. Some observers say the move is Malaysia positioning itself alongside other regional centers that have been exploring tokenization.

Regulated firms, fintech startups, banks, and asset managers are being invited to take part. Based on reports, the initiative will run pilot projects, collect data, and then shape formal rules. That process could take the whole three years, depending on results and feedback.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView