SKN | Australia Eyes $16.7B Boost as Central Bank Backs Tokenized Finance

Key Points

• Australia sees up to $16.7B annual economic upside from tokenization.
• Central bank backs digital asset infrastructure as “revolutionary.”
• New sandbox environment planned to test tokenized markets.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has thrown its support behind real-world asset tokenization, highlighting its potential to significantly reshape the country’s financial system.

Assistant Governor Brad Jones pointed to findings from Project Acacia, which estimate that tokenized finance could contribute around $16.7 billion annually to Australia’s economy, with even greater upside if new markets emerge.

Project Acacia Signals Major Opportunity

Project Acacia, a collaborative initiative between the central bank and industry groups, explored how tokenized assets could improve efficiency in wholesale financial markets.

The results suggest that integrating blockchain-based systems into traditional finance could streamline transactions, reduce costs and unlock new liquidity opportunities across markets.

Sandbox to Accelerate Innovation

To build on these findings, the central bank plans to introduce a digital financial market infrastructure sandbox. This controlled environment will allow businesses and regulators to test tokenized assets, digital money and new financial systems safely before wider adoption.

The initiative could also connect with future central bank digital currency developments, further modernizing Australia’s financial ecosystem.

Global Race for Tokenized Assets Heats Up

The push comes as global interest in tokenization accelerates. McKinsey & Company has projected that tokenized assets could reach nearly $2 trillion in value by 2030, underscoring the scale of the opportunity.

Australian regulators have also warned that failing to act could leave the country behind in the global shift toward digital finance.

Rapid Growth Despite Market Headwinds

The tokenized asset sector has expanded rapidly, with onchain real-world asset value reaching record levels and growing more than 200% over the past year.

This growth has continued even during broader crypto market weakness, suggesting that tokenization is emerging as a key long-term trend rather than a short-term cycle.

A Strategic Shift Toward Digital Finance

Australia’s central bank now views modernizing financial infrastructure as a strategic priority. By supporting tokenization and related innovations, the country aims to position itself at the forefront of the next phase of global finance.

If successfully implemented, these efforts could transform how assets are issued, traded and settled—bringing traditional finance closer to a fully digital future.