“We’re so early” is one of the crypto sector’s best-known sayings, and when it comes to tokenizing real-world assets, it’s completely true. Bullish estimates from Boston Consulting Group predicted last year that the crypto sector could be a $16.1-trillion market by the end of the decade — a truly staggering figure. Analysts imagined a world where illiquid assets such as real estate, physical art and even exotic beverages were tokenized — opening up the door to fractional ownership. This could...

Surging interest rates and a challenging economic climate are making it difficult for individuals and businesses to access credit. In emerging markets with a high proportion of unbanked people, such issues are nothing new. Consumers who lack accounts with a financial institution often struggle to apply for loans at competitive rates — primarily because they lack a credit rating. As a result, wary lenders increase the cost of borrowing to applicants perceived as risky. It’s a vicious cycle — a...