As digital currencies become more connected with mainstream finance, major players in the industry are racing to digitize real-world assets. This process, known as tokenization, involves converting assets like real estate, art, or company shares into digital tokens using blockchain technology.
One reason interest in tokenization is growing so fast is the rise of stablecoins. According to crypto investor Katie Haun, stablecoins have laid the groundwork for a broader shift to tokenizing other types of assets. She compared the potential of tokenization to the way streaming changed how people consume TV and movies.
Recently, trading firm Robinhood launched tokenized stock trading in Europe. It also handed out tokens tied to shares of high-profile private firms like SpaceX and OpenAI.
Meanwhile, Coinbase is pushing for broader access to tokenized securities in the U.S., while Kraken also introduced tokenized stock trading for international users. Investment giants Franklin Templeton and BlackRock have also entered the space with tokenized versions of money market funds.
According to McKinsey, tokenized assets could reach a market size of $2 trillion by the end of the decade.
This momentum comes at a time when digital assets are seeing widespread interest. Bitcoin, the largest crypto, continues to hit record highs, surpassing $123,000 recently. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has signaled strong support for what it calls a “golden era” for crypto.
Still, legal questions remain. Securities law is notoriously complicated, and even agreeing on what qualifies as a security can be a challenge, especially in the crypto world. For instance, Binance stopped offering tokenized stocks in 2021 after concerns were raised by German regulators.
Under the Trump administration, the SEC has taken a less aggressive stance compared to past leadership, dropping or pausing some lawsuits against crypto firms. Yet, the agency has urged caution on matters of tokenization. After Robinhood’s token offering, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce reminded companies that issuing tokenized stocks may still come with legal responsibilities around financial disclosures.
One of the more controversial aspects of tokenization involves private companies, which aren’t held to the same public reporting standards as companies listed on stock exchanges. Many startups now prefer staying private, raising money from institutional and wealthy investors instead of going public.
Tokenization advocates say this locks out everyday investors from opportunities to benefit from early-stage growth.“These deals often generate huge profits, but only for a select few with insider access,” said Johann Kerbrat from Robinhood. “Crypto offers a way to fix that imbalance.”
Critics, however, warn that without proper oversight, we could return to an era similar to the 1920s, before the SEC existed, when unregulated investment schemes cost people their savings.
As discussions around tokenization continue, entities like Bit Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: BTBT) will be following and assessing the opportunities that could be leveraged over the coming years.
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