Tokenization in Finance: Robinhood CEO Predicts Major Change

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said at the Token2049 conference in Singapore that tokenization could change the whole financial system. He explained that in the future, almost all the assets could be put on blockchain, reports Wu Blockchain. This would join traditional finance with cryptocurrency. Tenev also noted that U.S. regulations are behind Europe, but the trend toward tokenization is unstoppable.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said at Token2049 in SG that tokenization will consume the entire financial system, putting all assets on-chain and merging traditional finance with crypto. He noted U.S. regulation lags Europe, but the trend is unstoppable. The tokenization market is…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) October 2, 2025

Tokenization Today

Tenev said the tokenization market is currently about $32 billion. While this is great, it is still very small compared to global equities, which were worth over $115 trillion in 2023. This shows the huge growth potential for tokenized assets in the upcoming years.

Tokenization means turning real-world assets, like stocks, bonds or property, into digital tokens on a blockchain. These tokens can be bought, sold or used in decentralized finance (DeFi). This makes trading faster and cheaper. For example, someone could buy a small part of a property token instead of the entire building, opening opportunities for the smaller investors.

Combining Traditional Finance and Crypto

Tenev emphasized that tokenization will connect traditional finance with crypto. By putting assets on blockchain, processes like trading, settlement and record-keeping could become faster and more efficient.

“Tokenization can change how ownership and liquidity work in financial markets,” Tenev said. This could let small investors access assets that were once only available to big institutions. Tokenization can also make global markets more inclusive, giving people worldwide opportunities that were only for wealthy investors before.

Regulation Still Catches Up

Europe has started regulating tokenized assets, but the U.S. is still behind. Tenev said clear U.S. rules are important for safe adoption. Even then, he believes tokenization is certain. Financial institutions will need to get used to it or risk falling behind.

Industry experts agree that proper regulation will increase adoption by both retail and institutional investors. Without clear rules, tokenized markets could grow slowly. And companies might face legal challenges if they move too quickly. Careful regulation will make sure that tokenization strengthens the financial system instead of creating problems.

How Tokenization Could Change Markets

If tokenization grows, it could reshape the global financial system. Stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets could become easier to trade and more accessible to the smaller investors.

Large institutions could save money and time by automating the processes. Transparency would improve because blockchain keeps clear records. Further, settlement times could be reduced from days to minutes, and transaction fees could be much lower. Tokenization could also create new financial products that appeal to investors worldwide.

The Future of Tokenization in Finance

Robinhood and other crypto-focused companies are watching tokenization úp close. As blockchain adoption grows, tokenized assets could become a normal part of finance.

Tenev’s comments suggest that traditional finance and cryptocurrency could work together soon. Tokenization might not stay as just a small idea. Instead, it could become a major part of the global financial system, offering new opportunities for investors everywhere. If markets and regulators work well, this could be the start of a new era in finance.