ADI Chain and Shipfinex have announced an exclusive partnership to create what they describe as the first regulated, institutional-grade tokenized maritime asset class.
Under the arrangement, Shipfinex will originate and structure eligible maritime assets while ADI Chain provides the blockchain, distribution and settlement infrastructure. Shipfinex claims an initial pipeline of around 35 vessels valued at approximately $500 million. Each vessel would sit within its own special-purpose vehicle. Depending on the final product structure, tokens could give holders exposure to vessel-backed credit, charter revenue or a fractional share of broader economic interests in the ship. Settlement is expected through stablecoins denominated in UAE dirham and US dollars.
Shipfinex holds an in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for broker-dealer services but is not yet operational. No maritime asset tokens have been issued publicly.
The bigger challenge for tokenized shipping sits outside the technology. Many investors may have limited knowledge about what they are investing in. Vessels frequently change hands, operate under flags of convenience and are held through layers of corporate entities. For any investor buying a fractional interest, the fundamental question is how to verify that the token is genuinely linked to the vessel and its actual owner.
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