Digital Assets Explained: Types, Tokenization, and Value

The definition of a digital asset is “anything that exists in binary data which is self-contained, uniquely identifiable, and has a value or ability to use.” When the term originated in the mid-90s, digital assets were items such as videos, images, audio, and documentation. Since then, technological advances have given the term new life. In practical terms, this includes any digital file or token with owner-assignable rights or utility.

How Blockchain Expanded Digital Assets

Blockchain technology didn’t change the meaning of digital assets, but it did make the term cover a broader range of items. Importantly, many digital assets have the potential to disrupt entire industries and even the global market moving forward. Today, inventions such as cryptocurrencies are part of the digital asset revolution.

Why Blockchain Spawned New Digital Asset Classes

To understand why digital assets evolved so much, you need to first study why blockchain technology creates new efficiency in the market, and even new markets. Simply put, a blockchain is nothing more than a giant network of computers that simultaneously verifies data on a digital ledger. This network enables data to be stored, unaltered, and verified via code.

The transparency blockchain technology brings to the world is unprecedented. This technology allows people, for the first time in history, to unequivocally prove certain aspects of a digital asset. You can prove items such as ownership, authenticity, transaction history, and location without the need to involve third parties. As such, blockchain technology ushered back in the age of bilateral, peer-to-peer exchange.

The ability to erase the middleman comes from blockchain’s programmability. Blockchain digital assets utilize rules that are built into the code of the network, and/or the token itself. Importantly, these standards receive continuous auditing via the network. This coding has advanced significantly since the emergence of blockchain tech. Today, advanced integrated protocols known as smart contracts are at the core of the digital asset revolution.

Bitcoin: The First Scarce Digital Asset

Bitcoin (BTC +0.18%) represented the biggest change to the meaning of the term digital asset to date. This was the first successful system to combine cryptography and blockchain technology to create a scarce, programmable digital asset. In essence, the Bitcoin whitepaper was the beginning of the digitization of the economy. Discussing the impact of Bitcoin globally, Marc Lowell Andreessen, a pioneer of the web browser, said: “We’ll all look back in 20 years and conclude that Bitcoin was as influential a platform for innovation as the Internet itself.”

2008 Financial Collapse

To understand the motivation behind the Bitcoin concept, you need to take a look at the economic state of the world in 2008. The international banking system was in the middle of a crisis. In multiple instances, governments and central banks altered regulations to further their debt-holding capabilities.

Digital Assets – The Bitcoin Whitepaper

It is believed that this perceived instability of fractional-reserve banking partially led the anonymous founder of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, to seek to create a decentralized international economy. This new open market would be free from the stranglehold of government and borders.

From Bitcoin to Altcoins: The Industry Emerges

As the Bitcoin concept began to gain international attention, so too did the coin’s value. In less than five years, other developers started to create their own coins. These coins, such as Litecoin(LTC -0.31%), Ethereum(ETH +0.98%), and Monero(XMR +1.32%), all utilize blockchain technology to secure their value. Although these coins utilized similar technology, each digital asset had a different approach to the market.

For example, Litecoin sought to be the silver to Bitcoin’s gold, whereas Ethereum wanted to provide developers an alternative to Bitcoin’s scripting limitations. Monero took a totally different approach, creating a digital asset that focused primarily on privacy.

Digital Assets as an Asset Class

Today, blockchain technology allows us to tokenize nearly everything we own. Consequently, non-liquid items, such as debt, can now be traded between eligible participants, in person or across the internet. This ability to tokenize any item creates entirely new digital asset classes in the market. These new asset classes continue to develop. As such, lawmakers continue to adjust regulations to account for the new efficiency that these services bring.

Beyond cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), governance tokens, and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) have emerged. For example, BlackRock’s first tokenized fund on a public blockchain (BUIDL) launched in 2024 and surpassed $1B in AUM in 2025, highlighting growing institutional adoption.

Digital Asset Taxonomy (Types & Examples)

As the world of digital assets continues to grow, so has the desire for regulators and investors to categorize the different types of tokens in existence. Token taxonomy is the classification of digital assets on the blockchain. Importantly, token taxonomy will play a prominent role in the markets moving forward because the classification of a digital asset determines its issuance and trading capabilities. For example, security tokens must adhere to securities regulations. If not, there are legal repercussions. The three main types of token classifications are:

• Cryptocurrency – This type of digital asset includes traditional cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin. These tokens usually function as a form of digital cash. As such, they are decentralized and offer a true peer-to-peer exchange protocol.
• Utility Token – This type of digital asset operates within the ecosystem of a platform to derive value and complete various tasks. Importantly, it doesn’t represent any direct ownership or investment in a firm.
• Security Token – Security tokens are any token that, by design, represents a share of ownership or an investment in a company. Usually, these tokens are found in highly-regulated markets such as real estate, securities, or stock markets.

The following chart looks at a few more examples of token classes and their use cases.

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Tokenization: Real-World Use Cases and Market Impact

Digital assets such as security tokens continue to disrupt the real estate market. For example, platforms such as Red Swan allow property owners to tokenize their real estate. The firm partnered with Polymath to tokenize up to $2.2 billion in commercial property across the US. Tokenized properties offer some huge advantages over traditional real estate sales. For one, the entire sales process can be faster and require less involvement from third-party organizations. Also, tokenized properties can transfer economic ownership in seconds, subject to compliance and the underlying legal structure.

More broadly, tokenized funds (such as tokenized U.S. Treasuries and money market strategies) are gaining traction as investors seek on-chain yield and faster settlement. This momentum suggests tokenization will keep expanding into mainstream finance as regulations and infrastructure mature.

The Future of Digital Assets

Today, digital assets are everywhere we look. Every single currency, asset, supply chain, and even reward point has the potential for tokenization. As such, the term digital asset will continue to encompass a growing number of items. For now, tokenization appears to be the path towards the future.

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Digital Asset FAQ

Are NFTs considered digital assets?

Yes. NFTs are unique digital assets that provide verifiable ownership and provenance on a blockchain.

How are security tokens different from utility tokens?

Security tokens represent regulated financial interests (like equity or debt). Utility tokens provide access or functions inside a platform and generally do not convey ownership.

Can a token transfer instantly replace traditional legal settlement?

The token can move instantly on-chain, but legal ownership or registry updates depend on the asset structure and applicable regulations.

What is a tokenized fund?

A traditional fund whose ownership interests are issued and transferred as blockchain tokens, enabling faster settlement and potentially broader access for qualified investors.