DBS Launches Tokenized Crypto Notes on Ethereum, Expands Investor Access

DBS, Singapore's largest bank, is expanding its blockchain strategy by offering tokenized structured notes on the Ethereum public blockchain, making complex financial products more accessible to accredited and institutional investors beyond its private client base. These tokenized notes, available on platforms such as ADDX, DigiFT, and HydraX, enable fractional investments as low as $1,000 compared to the traditional $100,000 minimum, allowing investors to gain exposure to digital assets with reduced downside risk. In the first half of 2025, DBS clients traded over $1 billion in these crypto-linked structured notes, reflecting strong demand, particularly from family offices and professional investors in Singapore. DBS's move aligns with Singapore's broader efforts to become a tokenized finance hub, supported by initiatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore like Project Guardian and Global Layer One. Meanwhile, Japan's SBI Holdings plans to digitize equities via blockchain through a joint venture with StarTail Group, aiming to reduce fees, speed up trading, and increase international access to Japanese stocks by converting shares into digital tokens by late 2026 or early 2027. This reflects a global trend toward financial asset tokenization, with similar developments in the US, where tokenized stocks and ETFs are advancing under regulatory guidance.