Exploring How Ethereum Is Poised to Become a Core Infrastructure for Tokenization
In recent weeks one of the biggest names in global finance put a spotlight on Ethereum and its role in the future of how financial markets work. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, released its 2026 thematic outlook featuring crypto and tokenization as major themes expected to influence markets in the years ahead. Central to this narrative is the idea that Ethereum the blockchain network best known for its smart contract capabilities could become the “toll road” of tokenization, meaning a central layer where tokenized assets are issued, settled and ultimately used in financial activity. But a deeper look at the data and the evolving landscape shows that while the potential is enormous, there are also quiet risks that could shift this vision in unpredictable ways.
In this article we unpack what BlackRock means by tokenization and why Ethereum is at the centre of this story. We also explore the challenges and complexities that could influence whether this narrative becomes reality.
What Is Tokenization and Why It Matters
Tokenization refers to the process of representing real world assets or value on a blockchain. These assets can include cash, bonds, stocks, real estate, or other instruments that traditionally exist outside of digital networks. By tokenizing an asset it becomes easier to move, trade, or program economic behaviour using smart contracts computer code that runs on blockchains. This concept promises to open new forms of liquidity, fractional ownership, 24/7 markets and faster settlement compared with traditional finance.
In simple terms tokenization is like turning a traditional asset into digital pieces that can be traded or managed on a blockchain with the same efficiency as digital money. For example a $10,000 bond could be split into thousands of smaller tokens that many investors can own and trade. This concept could make markets more inclusive and efficient over time.
BlackRock’s 2026 outlook suggests that the tokenization of assets will be one of the driving forces in markets over the next decade. With this shift, the choice of which blockchain networks underpin these tokenized assets becomes critical.
BlackRock’s Vision for Ethereum as a Toll Road
According to BlackRock’s report Ethereum currently underpins about 65 percent of all tokenized assets on public blockchains. That means more than half of the known value of tokenized real world assets sits on Ethereum’s network.
The report uses the metaphor of a toll road to describe Ethereum’s potential role. Just like cars pay tolls to use a highway, the idea is that tokenized markets might pay fees in the form of transaction costs or settlement fees as activity flows through Ethereum. In this scenario Ethereum becomes an infrastructure layer, a foundation upon which financial markets can operate in a digital, programmable way.
For BlackRock this framing is important because it shifts the focus from price speculation to utility and infrastructure. Rather than simply betting on the price of ETH, the network could benefit from the growth of tokenized markets if institutions and investors choose Ethereum for issuance and settlement of digital assets.
The Growing Interest in Tokenization
Institutional interest in tokenization is growing on multiple fronts. Traditional financial firms are exploring tokenized versions of securities, funds and even money market products. One example is BlackRock’s own tokenized money market fund called BUIDL, which exists on Ethereum and other chains. As tokenized products grow in usage and adoption they could drive more activity on the networks where they live.
From stablecoins cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currency to tokenized bonds and cash equivalents, the trend lines suggest that digital asset markets are becoming more interconnected with traditional finance. Furthermore, BlackRock’s position as a leading provider of both Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange traded funds highlights its deep engagement with digital asset infrastructure.
Tokenization also holds appeal because it can make financial markets more inclusive and efficient. Fractional ownership opens opportunities for smaller investors while settlement on a blockchain can occur in seconds rather than days, potentially reducing costs and risks. These advantages are part of why financial institutions are paying attention.
Why Ethereum’s Dominance Is Not Guaranteed
Despite the optimism about Ethereum’s future role there are several reasons why its dominance could be challenged or diluted over time.
One important factor is the rapid growth of layer 2 scaling solutions and alternative blockchains. Ethereum rollups networks that bundle transactions off the main chain before settling them back on it already secure tens of billions of dollars in value. These rollups often handle most day to day transaction activity even though they rely on Ethereum for security. That dynamic could change how fees are collected and where economic activity actually occurs.
Second, tokenization is inherently a multi chain opportunity. Many financial products and institutional issuers are exploring tokenization across different networks. BlackRock’s BUIDL fund itself is available on seven blockchains, with cross-chain interoperability supported by tools like Wormhole. That means tokenized assets are not limited to a single network, and issuers may choose chains based on cost, speed or specific use cases rather than sticking to Ethereum exclusively.
A third factor complicates the narrative: how activity is measured. Stablecoin transaction volumes an important indicator of usage include large amounts of automated or “inorganic” activity that don’t reflect real economic settlement. When that “noise” is stripped out the figures can shrink dramatically, making it harder to assess true demand for Ethereum’s settlement layer.
In other words the road might be wide but not always filled with real traffic. If activity shifts to other platforms or if issuance and settlement happen off the main Ethereum chain, the fee capture and economic benefit for Ethereum could be less than expected.
The Role of Regulation and Institutional Adoption
Tokenization does not exist in a vacuum. Its success depends on clear regulatory frameworks that allow institutions to issue and trade digital representations of traditional assets within legal and compliance structures.
In the United States and other jurisdictions, regulators are still clarifying how tokenized assets fit into existing securities, commodities or banking laws. Without clear rules, institutions may hesitate to commit large pools of capital to tokenized products, or they may seek permissioned or hybrid blockchains that operate within a regulated framework rather than public networks like Ethereum.
Institutional adoption also depends on ecosystem tools such as custody solutions, compliant marketplaces and settlement infrastructure that can meet institutional standards. These requirements often differ from retail focused solutions, which prefer open access and minimal restrictions.
The development of these tools is still ongoing. For Ethereum to realize the vision of being the tokenization backbone, it must not only handle volume but also meet the needs of institutions that demand security, transparency and compliance.
The Long Term Outlook for Tokenization and Ethereum
Despite the challenges there is reason for optimism. The tokenized asset sector is still in its early stages, and global interest from banks, asset managers and fintech firms continues to rise. If regulatory clarity improves and institutions feel comfortable issuing tokenized products, the total value moved on blockchain networks could grow significantly.
BlackRock’s report suggests that tokenization may become a major theme driving markets by 2030 and beyond. As token issuance increases worldwide, networks that facilitate secure settlement and liquidity could capture significant economic activity. This could create new revenue streams for blockchains that successfully support large volumes of real world assets.
However the future is not guaranteed to unfold on a single network. The multi chain reality of blockchain technology means that competition, innovation and specialization could lead to a landscape where several networks play important roles. Ethereum may be a leading contender, but its position as the sole or dominant settlement layer will be influenced by technical developments, institutional preferences and regulatory outcomes.
What Investors and Builders Should Watch
For anyone building projects or investing in digital assets there are several key trends to monitor:
Adoption of tokenized products by major financial institutions. Growth in tokenized funds, bonds, cash equivalents and other assets will be a major signal of market maturation.
Regulatory frameworks that define how tokenized assets are treated. Clear rules can unlock institutional capital and encourage broader participation.
Network activity beyond headline metrics. Distinguishing between real economic usage and simulated or automated activity gives a clearer view of true demand.
The evolution of multi chain infrastructure and interoperability. The success of bridges, rollups and cross chain solutions affects where real economic activity happens.
Staying informed about these factors can help investors and builders make more educated decisions about where to allocate resources, which technologies to adopt, and how to position for long term growth.
Conclusion
BlackRock’s recent thematic outlook places Ethereum at the centre of a vision where tokenization reshapes markets by making traditional assets programmable, accessible and efficient on blockchains. This framing highlights the potential for the network to serve as a toll road where billions of dollars worth of economic activity could flow.
Yet the path forward is complex. Multi chain competition, evolving metrics, regulatory environments and institutional preferences all influence whether Ethereum’s role continues to expand or becomes shared with other platforms. The reality is that tokenization is more than a technology trend it is a structural shift in how value can be represented and traded digitally.
As tokenization grows it promises to blur the lines between traditional finance and digital markets, and Ethereum’s success in this shift will depend on its ability to adapt and integrate with the broader financial ecosystem. Whether or not it becomes the dominant settlement layer remains a dynamic and evolving story.
