Markets · Tokenisation · Monday, 19 October 2026 · 2 min read · Token+ Intel desk
Digital bond issuance reaches a record, says AFME
An AFME report finds digital bond issuance at a record high, with sovereign deals lifting volumes.
Key points
- AFME reports record digital bond issuance.
- Trade press attributes the jump to sovereign deals, reporting a figure of about €8.1 billion.
- Check the AFME report itself for definitions and period covered.
The Association for Financial Markets in Europe has published a report finding that digital bond issuance has reached a record high. TokenPost, reporting on the same figures, said sovereign deals lifted digital debt issuance to a record €8.1 billion.
Figures like these depend on what counts as a digital bond: native DLT issuance, tokenised representations, or hybrids. Readers should check AFME's methodology before comparing it with other market trackers.
The Democratize view
Volumes are still small next to conventional bond markets, but sovereign participation changes the conversation about legal certainty and secondary market depth.
Opinion of the Democratize editorial team.
What to watch: The share of issuance that settles in central bank money rather than private tokens.
Sources
- AFME · Digital Bond Issuance Reaches Record High, AFME Report Finds · Monday, 19 October 2026 Research
- TokenPost · Sovereign Deals Lift Digital Debt Issuance to Record €8.1 Billion · Tuesday, 20 October 2026 Specialist media
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Token+ Intel desk
Claudia Harken
Head of Marketing and Communications
Claudia Harken leads marketing and communications at Democratize.