Strategic Priority by Sector

As of July 2026, 84% of financial firms have designated tokenization as a strategic priority, according to the Broadridge Tokenization Pulse Survey [Source: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/07/16/tokenization-has-become-a-strategic-priority-for-84-of-financial-firms]. This shift marks a transition from experimental pilots to production-scale infrastructure, with 100% of firms managing over $250 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) now viewing digital assets as a core strategic pillar [Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tokenized-assets-a-key-priority-for-financial-services-firms-broadridge-survey-finds-302826937.html].

Strategic Priority by Sector

The urgency for tokenization is most pronounced in capital markets, where the need for real-time settlement is highest.

[Source: https://www.broadridge-ir.com/news/news-details/2026/Tokenized-Assets-a-Key-Priority-for-Financial-Services-Firms-Broadridge-Survey-Finds/default.aspx]

Primary Drivers for Prioritization

1. Proven Institutional Scale

The maturity of market infrastructure has reduced the perceived risk of adoption. Broadridge’s Distributed Ledger Repo (DLR) platform reached an average daily volume of approximately $365 billion in May 2026 [Source: https://www.broadridge-ir.com/news/news-details/2026/Tokenized-Assets-a-Key-Priority-for-Financial-Services-Firms-Broadridge-Survey-Finds/default.aspx]. This high-volume success has demonstrated that blockchain can handle the throughput required for global finance.

2. Growth of "Safe" Tokenized Assets

The rapid expansion of tokenized U.S. Treasuries has provided a low-risk entry point for conservative institutions. Total tokenized Treasury value reached $12 billion in 2026, led by major institutional products:

• BlackRock’s BUIDL: ~$2.1 billion
• Franklin Templeton’s BENJI: ~$1.0 billion [Source: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/07/16/tokenization-has-become-a-strategic-priority-for-84-of-financial-firms]

3. Operational Efficiency and Liquidity

Firms are prioritizing tokenization to capture specific operational advantages:

• Atomic Settlement: Real-time delivery vs. payment (DvP) eliminates the traditional T+1 or T+2 settlement lag, reducing counterparty risk.
• 24/7 Availability: Moving toward continuous market access, as evidenced by the NYSE's move toward 24/7 tokenized security trading venues.
• Fractionalization: Enabling smaller investment increments for high-value assets like private equity.
• Programmable Compliance: Embedding KYC/AML rules directly into the asset's smart contract to automate regulatory adherence.

4. Regulatory Clarity

Global regulatory frameworks in the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore have provided the legal certainty necessary for long-term investment. 55% of firms believe these frameworks will have a positive impact on adoption [Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tokenized-assets-a-key-priority-for-financial-services-firms-broadridge-survey-finds-302826937.html]. Additionally, 41% of institutional investors indicated they would increase allocations if custody and trading infrastructure continued to improve.

Implementation Strategy: The Hybrid Approach

Rather than a "rip and replace" strategy, 69% of firms are pursuing a hybrid infrastructure approach [Source: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/07/16/tokenization-has-become-a-strategic-priority-for-84-of-financial-firms]. This involves connecting existing legacy ledgers to blockchain rails, allowing traditional and digital assets to coexist. 92% of executives expect this coexistence to be the standard operating model for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion: Tokenization has moved from a "wait and see" technology to a strategic necessity due to the proven scale of DLT repo markets, the success of tokenized Treasuries by BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, and the shift toward 24/7 atomic settlement. While 84% of firms prioritize it, the primary remaining hurdles are operational complexity and the integration of DLT with legacy systems.