Overview
ISO 24165-1:2021 specifies the method for registration and assignment of a Digital Token Identifier (DTI). It defines how to generate and assign a random, unique, fixed‑length identifier for fungible digital tokens in response to registration requests that meet specified application guidelines. The standard supports a registry model, provisional registration before token issuance, and clarifies terminology for tokens issued or recorded using distributed ledger technology (DLT) or blockchains.
Keywords: ISO 24165-1, Digital Token Identifier, DTI, token registration, token identifier, distributed ledger, blockchain.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Creation and assignment of a unique fixed‑length identifier for digital tokens (fungible digital assets using DLT).
- Excludes digital representations of currencies covered by ISO 4217.
- Terms and definitions
- Clear definitions for digital token, distributed ledger, blockchain, fungible, asset, timestamp, etc., aligning with ISO/IEC terminology.
- Eligibility
- Who can apply (any organization or individual) and which digital tokens qualify.
- Provisional issuance rules allow applying for a DTI before full token issuance.
- Application data
- Required applicant information and digital token technical details; optional descriptive metadata for registry display.
- DTI code structure
- Specification of the identifier’s constituents, uniqueness guarantees and display rules (fixed-length, random and unique).
- Registry and assignment
- Registry components, assignment process and operational responsibilities.
- Registration Authority (RA)
- RA naming, contact, and service provision requirements; dispute resolution guidance for contested registrations.
- Technical references
- Normative references such as ISO 24165-2 (data elements) and ISO/IEC 7064 (check character systems); Annex A covers check character calculation.
Applications and who benefits
- Token issuers and developers seeking standardized identifiers for fungible tokens.
- Cryptocurrency exchanges, custodians, wallet providers and payment processors for clear token identification and reconciliation.
- Financial institutions, regulators and compliance teams for reporting, tracking and audit trails.
- Data providers, researchers and market infrastructure operators for analytics, accounting and market surveillance.
- Use cases: token listing, custody reconciliation, transaction reporting, research, interoperability between platforms.
Related standards
ISO 24165-1 provides a practical framework to uniquely identify fungible digital tokens across platforms, improving interoperability, transparency and operational efficiency in DLT-based markets.