BlackRock Proposes Tokenization of AI Compute Power in New Research Paper

BlackRock’s Digital Assets Research team has released a white paper titled “The Machine-Native Economy: How digital assets connect intelligence, commerce, and compute,” which envisions a future where AI compute power is tokenized and traded as digital assets. The paper highlights three key areas where AI and programmable finance intersect: automated machine-to-machine payments, tokenized financial assets, and markets for computing capacity.

The researchers argue that standardized digital contracts could facilitate financing and programmable settlements for compute resources, allowing AI agents to select providers based on performance metrics. The report estimates that revenue from hyperscaler cloud services could reach approximately $1.1 trillion annually by 2030, indicating a significant market opportunity for tokenized compute.

Furthermore, BlackRock suggests that AI agents will require “machine-native money,” with stablecoins being the primary candidate for transactions. The paper critiques traditional banking systems, stating that they are ill-equipped for the needs of autonomous software, which cannot wait for bank transfers. Instead, it advocates for on-chain assets that can settle transactions in real-time.

While the white paper does not introduce new products, it reflects BlackRock’s ongoing strategy to expand its digital asset offerings, having previously launched various tokenized financial instruments. However, the firm cautions that the markets for these technologies are still largely speculative and require robust infrastructure for permissions and compliance.

New Insights on Tokenization in Financial Markets

U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Michael Selig has warned of a significant shift towards mass tokenization in financial markets over the next decade, indicating that this change could surpass the impact of the last several decades combined.

The CFTC is adapting its regulatory framework to include certain stablecoins issued by national trust banks as eligible tokenized collateral, reflecting a broader effort to integrate blockchain technology into existing market structures.

Market participants are interpreting Selig’s remarks as a sign of a favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies, which may boost demand for Bitcoin and other digital assets.

Current market pricing shows a 48.5% probability of Bitcoin reaching $88,000 by September 27, 2026, a decrease from 57% the previous day, indicating that traders are considering the evolving regulatory landscape alongside macroeconomic factors.

Key developments to watch include further regulatory updates and statements from influential figures like Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and SEC Chair Gary Gensler, as well as any legislative progress on crypto regulation in the U.S. Senate.