Traditional finance is undergoing a profound transformation as the adoption of digital assets and blockchain-based tokenization accelerates worldwide. According to a landmark survey conducted by Deloitte and published in October 2025, an overwhelming 97% of global CFOs anticipate integrating cryptocurrency features into their organizations’ operations. Most strikingly, 23% of these finance leaders plan to leverage cryptocurrencies within their treasury functions over the next two years—a clear indicator that digital assets are on the brink of mainstream adoption.

Tokenization—the process of representing real-world and financial assets as blockchain-based digital tokens—has evolved from niche experimentation to a strategic imperative within global banking and corporate finance. Deloitte’s “2025 Global Blockchain Survey” polled more than 1,200 senior finance executives across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, reflecting the evolving mindset of a sector under pressure to innovate rapidly.

The Momentum Behind Tokenization in Finance

Despite regulatory uncertainties and lingering skepticism, momentum for tokenization has surged as organizations seek solutions for enhanced transparency, efficiency, and access to new markets. According to Deloitte’s findings, three out of four surveyed CFOs believe that tokenization “will fundamentally change the way value is transferred, assets are owned, and finance is conducted.”

Asset tokenization enables fractional ownership, simplifies settlement processes, and can dramatically lower transaction costs. Institutions are experimenting with tokenized bonds, equities, real estate, and even commodities. Notably, global asset manager BlackRock launched its own tokenized fund products in 2025, with CEO Larry Fink declaring, “The next generation for markets, the next generation for securities, will be tokenization.” Fink’s remarks echo the sentiment found in the survey, which suggests that tokenized assets will soon reach a tipping point of adoption, creating new avenues for global investment.

Data from Boston Consulting Group projects the asset tokenization market could surpass $16 trillion by 2030, representing 10% of global GDP. The financial world’s largest players—including JPMorgan, Citi, and Goldman Sachs—are investing in blockchain technology to support tokenized trading, clearing, and settlement platforms. This wave of institutional participation reflects the growing conviction that tokenization offers measurable advantages in liquidity, transparency, and market efficiency.

Crypto in Corporate Treasury and Beyond

The survey’s spotlight on treasury functions is particularly notable. As of Q4 2025, more than a third of Fortune 500 companies report having some exposure to digital assets, either through direct holdings, payments, or treasury reserves such as Bitcoin and stablecoins. The shift is driven by several trends:

• Inflation and currency risk hedging: Companies seek to diversify reserve assets as macroeconomic volatility persists.
• Global transaction efficiency: Crypto allows for faster, cheaper cross-border payments, vital for multinational enterprises.
• Appealing to new markets: Crypto-native consumer bases and business partners are becoming increasingly important around the world.

The move toward embracing crypto-treasury operations has been underscored by high-profile recommendations from firms like Morgan Stanley, which recently advised clients to consider a 2-4% Bitcoin allocation in institutional portfolios. Meanwhile, companies such as MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Square continue to publicize multi-billion-dollar crypto holdings, validating the growing mainstream acceptance of such strategies.

The Regulatory Landscape: Progress and Hurdles

Regulatory clarity remains the largest barrier to full-scale adoption. OECD reports highlight that jurisdictions including the European Union (through the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation, MiCA), the United States, Singapore, and the UAE are advancing legal frameworks for digital asset integration.

The European Central Bank and Bank of England have both piloted tokenized bond issuances on permissioned blockchains in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating an institutional willingness to lead from the front. Yet, regulations surrounding tokenized securities, cross-border data standards, and anti-money laundering requirements remain a moving target in other parts of the world.

Deloitte’s survey finds that 64% of CFOs identify regulatory concerns as the primary challenge but expect “substantial progress” by 2027 due to mounting industry and public-sector collaboration.

Outlook: The Future Is Tokenized

As tokenization blurs the lines between traditional and digital finance, financial institutions are racing to adapt their infrastructure and business models. From upgrading legacy banking systems to establishing alliances with fintech startups and compliance experts, the finance industry is witnessing a surge in innovation.

With central banks worldwide piloting Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and asset managers rolling out tokenized fund products, momentum shows no signs of slowing. The integration of smart contracts, automated compliance, and blockchain-based audit trails portends a future of real-time, borderless finance.

For CFOs, institutional investors, and regulators alike, the new Deloitte survey signals an inflection point. Digital assets, once viewed as speculative, are fast becoming critical planks of financial infrastructure. Whether driven by competitive pressure, technological promise, or shifting customer expectations, tokenization is poised to reshape the architecture of global finance in the years to come.