Bitfinex Targets 80% Cost Reduction for Tokenized Asset Markets

Bitfinex Securities hit a milestone in September 2026, surpassing $500 million in listed assets. The platform aims to open up capital access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. The real-world tokenized asset market, excluding stablecoins, stands at about $40 billion and is expected to grow into the trillions by 2030. Paolo Ardoino, the chief technology officer of Bitfinex, has set an ambitious goal to cut the cost of issuance and capital raising by 80% through tokenized markets over the next five years.

Bitfinex Securities recently argued that the prevailing narrative around asset tokenization only addresses half of the problem. While many focus on retail investors gaining access to fractions of large companies, Bitfinex emphasizes the need to connect capital-starved businesses to a global investor base. The platform offers private credit, Treasury bonds, commodities, fixed income, and public and private equity among its listed assets.

Ardoino described tokenization as an updated 'transport layer' for existing assets. He stressed that without regulatory frameworks expanding capital access, the impact of tokenization remains limited. Bitfinex Securities provides 0% maker and taker fees, settlements in seconds, and issuance timelines of around 20 business days, compared to months through traditional channels. The platform operates within the fintech lab of the Astana International Financial Centre and has obtained licenses in El Salvador.

Ardoino compared Bitfinex's approach to the growth of Tether (USDT), which took six years to reach significant scale outside traditional finance. He highlighted the importance of fieldwork, effort, and persistence. The success of the model will be measured by an 80% reduction in issuance and capital-raising costs within five years, down from the current 4% compared to traditional market fees of around 7%.