What was once a cautious experiment for major financial institutions is rapidly turning into a large-scale transformation.
A new study by State Street suggests that global asset managers are no longer testing the waters of blockchain – they’re diving in.
The findings reveal a powerful shift in sentiment: institutional investors are now planning to double their exposure to digital assets within the next three years, reflecting a new level of confidence in blockchain technology. This change comes as more firms begin viewing tokenization not as a concept, but as an operational necessity for the future of investing.
Unlike early experiments focused on crypto trading or custody, institutions are now targeting private equity and fixed-income markets for blockchain integration. The process – known as tokenization – turns traditional instruments into digital tokens that can be traded or fractionalized, effectively making assets that were once illiquid far easier to manage.
By the end of the decade, many large firms expect as much as a quarter of their portfolios to exist in tokenized form. That transformation could reshape how asset ownership, liquidity, and transparency function across the financial system.
One of the strongest drivers behind this shift is the promise of efficiency. Participants in State Street’s research highlighted faster trade execution, improved tracking of holdings, and significant reductions in compliance and administrative costs. Nearly half of those surveyed anticipate operational savings exceeding 40% once digital asset infrastructure is fully integrated into their workflows.
Interestingly, the move toward blockchain is not happening in isolation. The report notes that generative AI and quantum computing are emerging as powerful complementary technologies that could help automate complex investment processes and improve portfolio modeling.
State Street, which safeguards around $49 trillion in assets, says nearly half of its institutional partners have already formed dedicated teams focused on digital assets. The bank’s Chief Product Officer, Donna Milrod, described the transformation as more than a technical update. It represents, she said, a fundamental strategic overhaul of how clients operate and compete in the next generation of finance.
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