Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, and Rob Goldstein, the company’s chief operating officer, explained that tokenization is not likely to replace the current financial system soon, but it could help both sides work more closely together.
In an article they co-wrote for The Economist, they describe the process as two groups moving toward a shared goal.
On one side are long-standing financial firms; on the other are newer players, such as fintech companies, stablecoin issuers, and blockchain networks.
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Both are learning to cooperate rather than compete. They suggest that in the future, investors might manage all kinds of assets, stocks, bonds, and crypto, through a single digital wallet rather than keeping them separate.
At first, Fink and Goldstein struggled to see the value of tokenization because it was caught up in the excitement of the crypto boom, which often looked speculative. Over time, they came to see its practical use.
They noted that tokenization could open up more ways to invest beyond the usual public markets for shares and bonds.
They also stress that this shift must be carried out responsibly. Policymakers and regulators need to update existing rules so that traditional markets and tokenized systems can operate safely together.
They warned that without proper oversight, the benefits could be lost.
Fink and Goldstein conclude with a simple principle for regulators: the form of an asset should not change how its risk is viewed. They said, “A bond is still a bond, even if it lives on a blockchain”.
Recently, BlackRock’s Robbie Mitchnick said most clients see Bitcoin as a store of value, not a tool for daily payments. Why? Read the full story.
