Robinhood CEO Predicts Tokenization Will Transform Trillions in Financial Assets
SINGAPORE – Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev forecasts tokenization will fundamentally reshape the financial landscape, expanding the accessible market for real-world assets from a low single-digit valuation to potentially “dozens of trillions” of dollars. Speaking at the token2049 conference in Singapore, Tenev described tokenization as “a freight train” poised to overhaul the existing financial system.
The shift to tokenizing assets – representing ownership of real-world items like stocks, real estate, or commodities as digital tokens on a blockchain – promises to broaden investment access and lower trading fees. This comes as Robinhood itself has begun offering tokenized shares as June, a move that quickly drew scrutiny from regulators, including those in the European Union.The company reported a doubling of cryptocurrency revenue in the second quarter, reaching $160 million, signaling digital assets are now a key growth driver.
Tenev believes the convergence of cryptocurrencies and traditional finance is inevitable, envisioning a future where “everything will be on-chain in one form or another.” He highlighted the United States’ existing, functional financial infrastructure as a factor potentially slowing widespread adoption, suggesting a more gradual, rather than rapid, transition to full tokenization.
“The financial system works in practice,” Tenev explained,comparing the current situation to a well-maintained,if slower,train system. ”That’s why we don’t have bullet trains – trains at a moderate speed transport just as well.”
The trend, though, is expected to gain momentum globally, extending beyond the United States, according to Tenev.
