Citizens Bank has released a report suggesting that blockchain technology could significantly accelerate global GDP by eliminating the 'friction tax' in payments, settlement, recordkeeping, and ownership verification. Analysts, led by Devin Ryan, argue that blockchain adoption can enhance economic growth through faster capital velocity, a broader investable universe, and infrastructure that meets the demands of a digital, AI-driven world. The report highlights the New York Stock Exchange's plan to launch a tokenized securities platform for 24/7 trading of U.S. equities and ETFs, pending regulatory approval. This initiative reflects a trend among major institutions to integrate blockchain into core systems, aiming to capture new opportunities and mitigate disruption. The analysts emphasize that blockchain's economic impact will initially manifest through faster capital velocity, reducing trapped collateral and counterparty risk, thus freeing balance sheets for more economic activity. Over time, tokenization is expected to expand the investable universe by making it feasible to issue, trade, and finance currently illiquid or complex assets. This includes traditional securities and new digital economy asset classes, supported by efficient on-chain collateral for lending. The report underscores blockchain's alignment with a digital, AI-driven economy, facilitating real-time settlement and authentication at scale.