Blockchain security firm CertiK, blockchain infrastructure provider V Systems and Malaysian law firm Zaid Ibrahim & Co. (ZICO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support banks and financial institutions developing tokenized financial products. The agreement combines capabilities in blockchain technology, digital asset security and legal advisory, with a focus on opportunities across Greater China and Southeast Asia.

The MOU was signed at Cyberport, Hong Kong's digital technology and fintech hub, during a session of the Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2026, held as part of Hong Kong FinTech Week, one of Asia's largest fintech events. Under the agreement, the three parties intend to combine their capabilities to help financial institutions meet the technical, security and legal requirements involved in bringing tokenized products to market.

Each partner contributes a distinct capability. V Systems develops modular, institution-grade blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platforms serving banks, sovereign-level investors and regulated financial institutions. CertiK provides security services including smart contract audits, formal verification, penetration testing, Proof of Reserves and on-chain monitoring through its Skynet platform.

ZICO supplies the legal expertise, with practices covering fintech, digital assets and capital markets. Its work includes advising on tokenized capital market instruments and payment systems, adding a legal dimension to the collaboration as institutions explore the issuance and deployment of digital financial products. In practical terms, tokenization refers to issuing or representing traditional instruments, such as bonds and funds, in digital token form on blockchain infrastructure, an area where banks and sovereign-level institutions are moving from pilots into production.

The agreement builds on earlier cooperation among the companies in institutional tokenization and blockchain security. V Systems served as the technology platform provider for Malaysia's first tokenized sukuk, priced by Khazanah Nasional Berhad in 2026. CertiK has also carried out independent security assessments of blockchain systems delivered by V Systems for regulated financial institutions in Malaysia and Singapore.

“We see Greater China and ASEAN as key growth engines for institutional tokenization,” said YK Goh, CEO of Coded Solution Limited (V Systems). “Through this MOU, we are establishing a partnership to make blockchain infrastructure more scalable, strengthen security and improve cross-border interoperability. Closer collaboration between the two ecosystems will help us pursue opportunities across both regions. Islamic finance is one such opportunity, and Malaysia's well-established Islamic finance framework gives us a strong foundation to build on.” Malaysia is a leading global center for Islamic finance, where sukuk are structured to comply with Shariah principles, giving tokenization initiatives in the country an established institutional and regulatory base to draw on.

According to ZICO, the regional focus reflects growing interest in real-world asset tokenization and cross-border capital flows. The firm views coordination between technical infrastructure, security and legal frameworks as important to enabling institutions to operate across different markets.

“Institutional tokenization is reaching an inflection point across ASEAN and Greater China, driven by growing appetite for real-world asset tokenization and cross-border capital liquidity,” said Jonathan Lim, Managing Partner at Zaid Ibrahim & Co. “Connecting regional digital asset initiatives requires aligning technical resilience, on-chain security, and multi-jurisdictional clarity. This strategic collaboration creates a powerful catalyst to unlock institutional participation and streamline cross-market execution for digital financial instruments across both regions.”

CertiK said the collaboration is intended to address security and regulatory considerations early in the development of institutional tokenization projects, rather than treating them as later-stage requirements.

“As banks and sovereign-level institutions move tokenization into production, security has to be built in from the start,” said Esme Pau, Head of Capital Markets and Policy at CertiK. “Working with V Systems and ZICO, we aim to help institutions address security and regulatory needs early and prepare tokenized products for cross-market deployment.”

The MOU establishes a framework for the three organizations to combine their expertise as banks and other financial institutions assess tokenized products and potential cross-border applications across Greater China and ASEAN. As with framework agreements of this kind, the collaboration outlines areas of cooperation rather than fixed commercial commitments; how it translates into concrete joint projects, specific tokenized issuances or cross-border deployments across the two regions is the next development to watch.

Source: Metaverse Post