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Sunday, October 6, 2024

SECP’s Asset Fractionalization Initiative: Revitalizing Real Estate and Attracting Foreign Investment

SECP's Asset Fractionalization Initiative aims to revitalize Pakistan's real estate, attract foreign investment, and enhance economic activity by subdividing assets for digital trading.

Pakistan is currently grappling with challenging political and economic conditions, making it imperative to bolster foreign exchange reserves. To rejuvenate the economy, the government should embark on ambitious initiatives. One such initiative is the asset fractionalization program launched by the SECP, which has the potential to boost economic activity and foreign reserves.

This initiative includes the subdivision of real estate assets into smaller units, enhancing their accessibility for digital trading. This fosters economic activity and simultaneously enhances documentation within the real estate sector, assisting the FBR in maintaining digital records.

While SECP’s ambition is commendable, implementing fractional asset operations may take time. Local stakeholders are interested, but exploring participation from foreign companies via the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) could be beneficial.

Credible sources report that, for an entity to become an Asset Fractional Operator, an entity must meet specific requirements: it must be a Public Limited Company with a minimum capital of PKR 1 billion and obtain a SECP license costing PKR 1 million. These measures reflect SECP’s dedication to a secure, well-regulated asset fractionalization environment, safeguarding end users’ funds.

Several IT companies have demonstrated significant interest in the program, with some even developing digital platforms to facilitate transactions. Nevertheless, the overall success of this initiative relies heavily on the public’s level of education and awareness. People must become accustomed to the idea of digital investment, where a simple click can grant them ownership of real estate assets, which contrasts with the current conventional processes.

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Regulator is promoting blockchain technology to enhance investor confidence in secure and transparent transactions. In our discussion with tech expert Hasnain Azam, representing a tech firm in SECP talks, we found that many companies with basic tech solutions struggle to meet SECP’s standards, particularly in blockchain. Hasnain noted that regulator hasn’t provided detailed tech guidelines yet. SECP’s core goal is to enable secure asset transfers through smart contracts using a verified digital ledger within a blockchain network, aiming to prevent fraud and ensure data transparency.

In essence, Pakistan’s economic difficulties prompt the SECP’s asset fractionalization program to rejuvenate foreign reserves and the realestate sector. Success depends on public awareness, foreign investment, and adherence of tech firms to SECP regulations. Embracing this initiative necessitates inclusive education and transparency for Pakistan’s economic revival.