The tokenization operating model: roles, workflows, cadence
Issuance is the easy part. The real work is lifecycle events, reporting, approvals, and investor comms.
A tokenization program succeeds when the operating model is explicit: who does what, when decisions are made, and how reporting stays consistent.
Define responsibilities across the stack
Most failures are coordination failures. Assign ownership across issuance, onboarding, custody, reporting, and support.
Make responsibilities clear between issuer, legal counsel, and infrastructure partners.
- Issuer owner and approvals
- Partner responsibilities (KYC/custody/issuance)
- Support and escalation paths
Turn the process into a workflow
Convert your issuance steps into a workflow with checkpoints: feasibility, documentation, onboarding configuration, issuance, and operations.
This makes timelines predictable and reduces rework.
Set cadence: reporting and investor communications
Credibility increases when cadence is defined upfront: what gets reported, how often, and in which format.
Cadence should match both regulatory expectations and investor needs.
- Periodic reporting and updates
- Lifecycle event handling
- Data exports and auditability
If you can’t describe your operating cadence, you don’t have a program — you have a prototype.