Approaches to asset tokenization for the development of e-commerce

Abstract

In the paper, using the example of analysing the approaches of scientific research of scientists from different countries, a new form of development of trade and economic relations is explored – e-commerce and its innovative electronic financial instrument – asset tokenization. The study was based on an analysis of the approaches of scientists, as well as on practical analytical studies, which presented an understanding of the features of the influence of tokens as a financial instrument on the development of e-commerce. Among the main methods used in the study, the comparative method, the method of historical reconstruction of development and analytical interpretation, as well as other general scientific and specialized methods were used, which formed an interdisciplinary methodological toolkit. Based on the research materials of scientists, the article makes a historical excursion into the formation of e-commerce and its digital and financial instruments in the context of global economic crises and overcoming their consequences for the financial market infrastructure, because of which three periods of development of the transformation of e-commerce are identified. As a result, the paper proves that the scientific problem of tokenization of assets has been little studied; the materials of the authors’ scientific research indicate the formation of three main areas of research: the formation of transaction logistics; digitization of the supply chain; the transformational impact of blockchain technology in the development of e-commerce. The article presents the main characteristics of scientific approaches for each of the three groups of studies, which reflect the impact on the development of e-commerce. The systemic impact of asset tokenization on the development of e-commerce is summarized as a transition to a new level of simplification of interaction between counterparties and the formation of an innovative system for protecting ownership of a digitized asset, which also affects its liquidity, and prospects for further research on this new economic issue are presented.