A Brief History of Tokens: A Journey from the Past to the Distant Future

Too Long; Didn't Read

Tokens have come a long way from being a fancy concept developed by computer geeks dreaming about total decentralization to a billion dollar industry involving world-leading companies like <a href="https://www.ccn.com/bmw-blockchain-trial-uses-cryptocurrency-tokens-to-improve-mileage-tracking/" target="_blank">BMW</a> and <a href="https://www.tokendaily.co/p/rakuten-coin-rakuten-will-roll-its-9b-loyalty-program-into-a-new-blockchain-based-cryptocurrency-techcrunch" target="_blank">Rakuten</a> and various governments, including <a href="https://bitcoinexchangeguide.com/indian-government-to-explore-own-crypto-tokens-use-for-public-services-and-loyalty-programs/" target="_blank">India</a>. Lately, there have been a series of developments concerning the tokenization of various assets, ranging from stocks to art pieces and everything in between. Companies use these tokens as bonuses and loyalty points, <a href="https://www.coindesk.com/malta-stock-exchange-partners-to-build-global-token-exchange/" target="_blank">tokenize</a> their stocks, or some go even further by listing them on various exchanges. Is this becoming a trend? If so how did we get here and what is the next step?