Tokenised Money Enters Corporate Finance Mainstream

Corporate adoption of tokenised money is advancing rapidly, with a new survey by Singapore's DBS Bank finding that 88% of participating businesses have already deployed or are testing digital financial instruments for payments and treasury management.

The study, released on Wednesday, surveyed 422 business and finance executives from organisations generating annual revenues above $500 million across 11 markets. Approximately two-thirds reported that their companies had introduced tokenised money at scale or begun using it in selected locations, suggesting that the technology is moving beyond preliminary trials among larger corporations.

Stablecoins emerged as the most widely adopted instrument, cited by 63% of respondents, followed by tokenised deposits at 53% and tokenised money market funds at 52%. These technologies represent financial assets on digital ledgers, potentially allowing businesses to transfer funds more quickly and manage liquidity outside conventional banking hours.

Demand is being driven partly by companies expanding into new markets and seeking greater control over cross-border settlements. The survey identified Southeast Asia as the leading destination for international business expansion, while respondents also reported growing interest in using China's renminbi for trade settlement.

The findings point towards a changing competitive environment for transaction banks, which face pressure to integrate digital settlement services into existing corporate banking infrastructure. However, the results reflect the responses of large businesses rather than the wider corporate population. Regulation, interoperability and settlement reliability will remain important considerations as financial institutions assess how tokenised money can operate alongside conventional payment systems.