Tokenization Will Transform Finance Faster Than Digital Disruption of Media, Says Crypto Executive

Tokenization is poised to reshape the financial sector more rapidly than the digital transformation affected traditional media, such as newspapers and physical music formats. This assertion comes from Keith Grossman, the president of MoonPay, a company specializing in crypto payments.

Key Takeaways

Tokenization is expected to transform finance more swiftly than digitization impacted traditional media.
The tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) could lead to 24/7 market access, lower costs, and faster settlements.
Financial institutions must adapt to these changes to thrive in the evolving tokenized landscape.
The DTCC is set to roll out tokenized financial products by 2026, starting with U.S. Treasuries.

Tokenization Will Transform Finance Faster Than Digital Disruption of Media, Says Crypto Executive

Grossman highlighted that, while many were concerned that digitization would destroy media, it ultimately led to its evolution. He emphasized that the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA)—which involves representing conventional physical assets on blockchain—will compel established financial institutions to adapt to this new landscape.

RWA, RWA Tokenization
The market cap for the RWA sector, excluding stablecoins, approaches $19 billion as of now. Source: RWA.XYZ

According to Grossman, traditional finance giants like Citi, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase will continue to operate but in a transformed capacity. This is similar to how media companies persisted after the digital transition in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which disrupted long-standing business models.

The key to success amid the transition to tokenized finance lies in adapting early, rather than resisting the inevitable shift toward a global financial system powered by blockchain technology, Grossman explained.

Related: Wall Street's $4 Quadrillion Backbone Set to Introduce Tokenized U.S. Treasuries

The Impact of Tokenizing Real-World Assets

Tokenizing real-world assets presents numerous advantages. These include 24/7 market accessibility, global scalability of asset classes, reduced transaction costs through the removal of middlemen, and dramatically shorter settlement times—from days to just minutes.

In a significant move in September, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a joint statement aiming to establish a regulatory framework for around-the-clock capital markets.

RWA, RWA Tokenization
The vast majority of tokenized RWA value resides on the Ethereum network. Source: RWA.XYZ

The transition to a 24/7 trading model marks a notable shift from traditional markets that close during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

In December, the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC)—a firm that managed around $3.7 quadrillion in settlement volume in 2024—gained SEC approval to begin offering tokenized financial instruments. The DTCC plans to introduce tokenized assets by the second half of 2026, initially focusing on U.S. Treasuries and stock indices.

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