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Tokenisation is the process of creating a digital representation of a non-digital asset. According to the paper, this new technology has great potential to democratise access to alternative investments, while also enabling asset managers to innovate by investing in alternative asset tokens, thereby broadening the types of exposures they can potentially offer investors.

Alternative investments are expected to account for 18-24% of the global investable market by 2025[1], and include such vehicles as hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private debt and real assets such as real estate, infrastructure and natural resources, which are generally less liquid, accessible and transparent in terms of information than traditional assets.

Like any major disruption, tokenisation is able to shape the financial landscape, opening new opportunities for banks, assets and wealth managers. For asset managers specifically, it could create new investment opportunities, changing the way they analyse and invest in this market, creating potential changes in the dynamics of multi-assets investing. Ultimately, it would mostly benefit end investors, be they retail, high net worth individuals or institutional, as it would allow them to access alternatives in an easier and more affordable way. Tokenisation could potentially also offer access to new types of assets such as art, wine, or even revenues associated with sports teams.

As the authors explain, the tokenisation process involves multiple steps, including deal structuring, digitisation, primary distribution, post-token management and finally the enablement of secondary market trading. Across the alternatives landscape, tokenisation may be able to address a number of challenges often faced by both GPs (general partners) and LPs (limited partners), including:

Improving liquidity: tokens can be traded in secondary markets

- Enabling faster and cheaper transactions: reduced transaction and lifetime cost through lower complexity and better operational efficiency

- Offering greater transparency: token holders' rights and legal responsibilities as well as record of ownership can be embedded into the tokens themselves

- Broadening access: increased access by more investors to previously unaffordable or not easily divisible asset classes

This paper is the first in the market to cover the broad spectrum of tokenisation across all of the categories broadly defined as being 'alternative'. It includes a discussion of the basics of blockchain technology and tokenisation, highlights some of the special considerations inherent in bringing tokenisation to alternative investments and, finally, provides key insights and considerations for the major alternative investment categories.

The research paper, entitled Tokenisation of Alternative Investments, is available here:

David Bouchoucha, Head of Private Debt & Real Assets at BNP Paribas Asset Management, comments: "At BNP Paribas Asset Management we are striving to unlock innovative investment opportunities for our clients, and this is especially true in private markets where efficient sourcing is a key determinant of performance. Through this research paper on tokenisation we aim to raise clients' awareness of the benefits of tokenisation and blockchain technology to access new pools of assets, for example within infrastructure financing, and how best to position for future innovation in this area."

Adrian Lai, Chief Executive Officer of Liquefy, comments: "The synergies possible resulting from the adoption of disintermediating technologies such as blockchain are no longer a question of 'if' but 'when'. While the full scope of applications of blockchain technology is still being explored, it is undeniable that blockchain technology has disruptive implications for the financial industry. Liquefy is particularly interested in the democratisation and efficiencies that can be achieved, especially in relatively exclusive asset classes within alternative investments. With this paper we hope to distil and share some insights on how technology can innovate investment in alternative assets."

Joanne Murphy, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Industry Relations with the CAIA Association, comments: "Inherent in the implementation of any new disruptive approach that has the potential to further democratise investor access to the various corners of the alternative investment space is a concurrent need for education. It is important that those tasked with developing and distributing the tokenised vehicles described in this fascinating new paper maintain a credo of 'investors first', something that should never be 'disrupted.'"