Paul Johnson BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says tokenization will define the future of finance, calling it the next wave of opportunity for investors and institutions alike.
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Bets Big on Tokenization
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has declared that tokenization represents a once-in-a-generation shift for global finance. In his latest CNBC interview, the head of the world’s largest asset manager said tokenizing traditional assets will open new doors for investors and reshape how money flows across markets.
With $13.46 trillion in assets under management, including over $104 billion in crypto holdings, BlackRock is already a dominant force in both traditional and digital finance. Now, Fink says the firm is preparing to lead the transition toward tokenization, calling it “the next wave of opportunity” that could redefine investment strategies for decades.
Tokenization as the Future of Asset Management
Fink explained that tokenization has the potential to bridge crypto-native investors and traditional financial products. By converting exchange-traded funds and other financial instruments into digital tokens, BlackRock could help onboard a new generation of investors into long-term financial ecosystems.
“If we can tokenize an ETF and digitize that ETF,” Fink said, “we can bring first-time crypto investors into traditional markets while keeping them in a digital framework.” His remarks underscore a growing belief among institutional leaders that blockchain technology can streamline access, improve transparency, and eliminate friction across the financial system.
Fink’s optimism arrives at a time when tokenization is gaining traction across multiple sectors. Market research from Mordor Intelligence estimates that the global tokenization market currently valued at over $2 trillion in 2025 could soar past $13 trillion by 2030, signaling one of the fastest-growing areas in finance.
BlackRock Expands Its Tokenization Footprint
BlackRock is not just talking about tokenization it is already building infrastructure around it. The company’s USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), launched in March 2024, is currently the largest tokenized cash market fund in the world, with $2.8 billion in assets.
Fink confirmed during BlackRock’s quarterly earnings call that the firm’s teams are exploring more ways to integrate tokenization across its products. “We’re moving away from traditional formats by replanting assets in a digital form,” he said, emphasizing the long-term commitment to this transformation.
This evolution aligns with BlackRock’s strategy to stay ahead of emerging financial technologies while maintaining investor trust. As Fink puts it, the next decade will be defined by how effectively institutions adapt to tokenization and digital asset infrastructure.From Crypto Skeptic to Blockchain Believer
Interestingly, Fink’s recent enthusiasm for tokenization and digital assets marks a significant departure from his earlier stance. In 2017, he famously dismissed cryptocurrencies as “an index of money laundering.” A year later, he stated that none of BlackRock’s clients had shown interest in crypto investments.
That narrative has completely flipped. Fink now believes digital assets, including crypto, can play a vital role in portfolio diversification comparing them to gold as an alternative asset class. Speaking to CBS’s 60 Minutes, he said, “There is a role for crypto in the same way there is a role for gold. It’s an alternative. For those looking to diversify, this is not a bad asset.”
When pressed on his changed perspective, Fink admitted that his understanding of the space has evolved. “I was a critic in the past,” he said, “but I grow and learn.”
His remarks reflect the broader institutional shift toward digital assets, where firms that once ignored crypto are now actively exploring how blockchain can modernize finance through tokenization.
Tokenization Set to Redefine Global Finance
Industry analysts agree that tokenization could fundamentally reshape how investors buy, sell, and own assets. By enabling fractional ownership and near-instant settlements, tokenized instruments can unlock liquidity and accessibility for markets that were previously restricted to high-net-worth or institutional players.
For companies like BlackRock, this innovation means creating new forms of value and reaching untapped investor bases. It also aligns with global trends toward decentralized finance and programmable money areas where traditional institutions have begun to find synergy rather than competition.
With Fink positioning tokenization as a cornerstone of BlackRock’s future, the world’s largest asset manager may soon serve as a gateway between traditional finance and the blockchain economy. The move not only signals confidence in digital infrastructure but also establishes a new benchmark for how the world’s financial giants plan to evolve in the digital age.
Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards.
