At the Token2049 conference in Singapore, Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood Markets Inc, described asset tokenization as the driving force that could reshape the entire financial system.
“Tokenization is a freight train that will absorb the financial system,” — Tenev told Bloomberg.
According to him, the digitization of assets — from equities to real estate — could expand today’s market from “less than 1% of trillions” to tens of trillions of dollars.
Tokenization as a Global Megatrend
Tenev expects adoption to accelerate once both public and private assets migrate to blockchain-based infrastructures. He also suggested that wide-scale tokenization will likely occur outside the United States first, where regulatory environments may be more flexible.
Proponents see tokenization as a tool for:
- Democratizing access to traditionally illiquid assets,
- Reducing transaction fees,
- Unlocking global liquidity across financial services.
Robinhood’s Tokenization Strategy
In June 2025, Robinhood launched its own Layer-2 network on Arbitrum, designed specifically for tokenized trading.
Despite regulatory scrutiny in the EU and criticism related to the distribution of tokenized equity products, Robinhood confirmed it will continue scaling tokenized stocks and integrate them into DeFi ecosystems.
Additionally, Tenev revealed that Robinhood plans to explore prediction markets — expanding event-contract products to international markets.
“This is a different animal — with the potential to disrupt industries ranging from media and gaming to active trading,” — he said.
Strengthening Market Position
Beyond tokenization, Robinhood continues to gain traction in traditional finance. In September 2025, the company officially joined the S&P 500 index, marking a major milestone for the brokerage.
The Bigger Picture
Tenev’s forecast underscores that tokenization is not just a niche trend but a structural shift in financial services. With tens of trillions in potential market expansion, Robinhood is positioning itself at the forefront of the next era of digital finance.
