BlackRock highlights tokenization and the blockchain pie chart in its 2026 outlooks

BlackRock, the leading global asset manager, has confirmed that tokenization and digital assets are major transformative forces for markets by 2026. In its latest strategic report, the company includes cryptocurrencies among the key catalysts capable of profoundly reshaping how investors access financial markets. Alongside artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure, digital assets appear as central elements to modernize the financial system.

Bitcoin and Ether, new pillars of investment strategies

The 2026 Thematic Perspectives report, led by Jay Jacobs, head of US equity ETFs at BlackRock, places Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins at the heart of a rapidly evolving investment universe. With Bitcoin (BTC) currently trading at $78.43K and Ethereum (ETH) at $2.39K, these two cryptocurrencies symbolize a growing interest from institutional investors in digital assets. These mentions from a company managing over $10 trillion in assets carry particular significance for the sector.

BlackRock’s analysis team classifies crypto among the “investment locomotives” capable of exerting unprecedented influence on markets. Although brief in the report, this classification has major strategic implications for legitimizing digital assets among traditional investors.

iShares Bitcoin Trust, unprecedented success

The iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the spot Bitcoin ETF launched in January 2024, is described as the most spectacularly growing listed product in history. This distinction signifies more than just commercial success: it signals increasing acceptance of blockchain as a legitimate structured investment tool.

The fund’s net assets now exceed $70 billion, demonstrating sustained investor appetite for Bitcoin exposure within a regulatory and professional framework. This success validates BlackRock’s strategy, which positions cryptocurrencies not as speculative assets but as essential components of a modern, diversified investment allocation.

Tokenization reshapes asset classes

BlackRock highlights tokenization—the digital representation of real assets such as real estate, stocks, or bonds—as a transformative trend gaining momentum. This process transcends mere technological innovation: it embodies a structural shift in market access. US dollar-backed stablecoins are pioneers in this space, already demonstrating operational viability of this model.

The report states: “As tokenization progresses, the opportunity to access asset classes beyond cash and US Treasuries via blockchain will also expand.” This vision positions blockchain as a modernized financial infrastructure capable of democratizing access to traditional markets.

Ethereum dominates the tokenized asset market according to the pie chart

The pie chart published by BlackRock illustrates a clear dynamic: Ethereum captures over 65% of the tokenized asset market, consolidating its position as the dominant blockchain for this application. This dominance is no accident. Ethereum hosts the densest ecosystem of decentralized applications (DApps) and token infrastructures, making it the natural choice for developers and issuers.

BlackRock explicitly recognizes Ethereum as a key beneficiary of the growth of tokenization. The pie chart supports this analysis, showing that the concentration of tokenized assets on Ethereum reflects real technological advantages and an established user base. This recognition strengthens Ethereum’s legitimacy beyond crypto circles.

A strong signal for digital markets

For cryptocurrency investors, this report marks a symbolic turning point. BlackRock incorporates digital assets into a broader set of “mega forces” driving transformation—alongside geopolitical shifts, AI-powered computing needs, and global infrastructure deployments. This classification elevates cryptocurrencies from niche speculative assets to a structural element of future economies.

The asset manager suggests that these dynamics are not only reshaping economies but fundamentally altering portfolio construction and management. While the report does not directly address regulatory challenges or Bitcoin’s volatility, the overall tone clearly indicates that BlackRock sees substantial potential in digital assets, especially for modernizing the global financial infrastructure.