ISO 24165-1:2021

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 24165-2 - Data elements for registration and display on the DTI registry (complements Part 1).
• ISO/IEC 7064:2003 - Check character systems.
• Contextual standards referenced: ISO 4217, ISO 6166, ISO 22739 (definitions for DLT/blockchain).

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.