Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani shares how Indians can enjoy a $3.3 trillion jackpot locked in plots and flats

India is moving towards becoming an $8 trillion economy by 2035, but it must overcome major challenges, according to ‘The Great Unlock: India in 2035’ report by Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and chairman of Infosys and Arkam Ventures.

"Tokenisation of land assets can unlock $3.3 trillion in capital," Nilekani said, pointing to data showing that Indians hold nearly 50% of their assets in real estate, with bank deposits being the next largest holding at 15%. While India’s land capitalisation rate is at 5% compared to 40% in the USA, the creation of a unified ledger and a credible verification process could increase the rate of monetisable land assets, according to Fortune.

The study highlights four major hurdles: rising income disparity, low levels of formalisation, limited market access, and low productivity. India’s growth remains concentrated, with only 13 out of 788 districts contributing to half of the nation’s GDP.


Income inequality is significant, with the top 10 per cent of the population accounting for nearly 60 per cent of total income. Around 200 million workers continue to migrate from poorer states in search of better opportunities.

What is Real Estate Tokenization?
Real estate tokenization is the process of converting the value of a physical property into digital tokens that can be bought, sold, or traded on a blockchain platform. Each token represents a fractional ownership stake in the property, allowing investors to participate in real estate markets without the need for substantial capital. This innovative approach not only enhances accessibility to real estate investments but also improves liquidity and transparency within the market, according to a EY report.

The report explains that the real estate investments often require significant capital and can be difficult to sell quickly. Tokenization allows investors to buy and sell fractional shares, making it easier to enter and exit investments.

Tokenized real estate can be accessed by investors around the world, fostering a diverse investor base and enabling cross-border investments. The global real estate market is projected to reach an astounding $280 trillion with assets under management (AUM) totaling $3.7 trillion. Tokenization could unlock a significant portion of this market for international investors.

The latest survey from EY revealed that 58% of high-net-worth investors view lower transaction costs as a key incentive to invest in tokenized assets.