Morgan Stanley Executive Predicts Tokenized Asset Market Could Reach $10 Trillion by 2030

Amy Oldenburg, the head of digital asset strategy at Morgan Stanley, has projected that the market for tokenized real-world assets could reach between $3 trillion and $10 trillion by the year 2030. This statement was made during her appearance at the TOKEN2049 conference, as reported by crypto.news.

Oldenburg expressed confidence in this range, stating, "We’ll definitely be within that range without question." She highlighted the potential for blockchain technology to streamline processes in areas such as private shares, structured notes, and investment funds, reducing paperwork and administrative burdens.

Despite the optimistic outlook, Morgan Stanley has postponed its plans to support tokenized stocks on its alternative trading system (ATS) until the first quarter of 2027. Oldenburg noted that the delay is due to insufficient client demand and the need for more products to be available in the market.

Additionally, Morgan Stanley is developing its own wallet infrastructure to facilitate the holding of tokenized assets and financial products. The bank is also monitoring the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which is set to launch a tokenization service for securities at the end of October.

In June, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted preliminary conditional approval for Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, a proposed national trust bank aimed at offering digital asset custody, trading, and staking services.

Recent Developments in Tokenized Assets

As of October 15, Binance's bStocks tokenized-equity offering has surpassed $1 billion in assets under management, just four months after its launch. This milestone highlights the increasing interest in trading blockchain-based representations of traditional shares.

Binance reported over $40 billion in cumulative trading volume and an expanded range of tokenized US shares and exchange-traded funds, indicating a strong demand for these products.

Eligible users can trade tokens designed to track exposure to underlying securities, although these instruments may not provide the same corporate voting or shareholder rights as direct shareholding. Their appeal lies in features like fractional access and transferability.

However, these products are not available to US persons and are subject to eligibility restrictions in other regions. The future growth of the tokenized asset market will depend on transparent backing, reliable liquidity, and the ability to offer unique advantages over traditional market infrastructure.

New Insights from Morgan Stanley's Amy Oldenburg

• Bitcoin is being positioned as a "digital gold" with a strong rationale for investment.
• Oldenburg emphasizes the need for Bitcoin to trade more like gold rather than risk assets.
• She discusses various factors affecting Bitcoin's demand, including stablecoins, quantum risks, AI, and inflation.
• Oldenburg highlights that one day or one inflation print should not dictate Bitcoin's long-term outlook.
• She notes that tokenization could potentially transform every asset class.
• Morgan Stanley is actively assessing quantum risks related to digital assets.
• The firm has established a Digital Asset Lab to explore innovations in the cryptocurrency space.

New Developments in Crypto Investment Services

Postbank, Bulgaria's fourth-largest bank, plans to integrate crypto and stock investments into its mobile banking app by early 2027. This service will allow users to buy a variety of assets, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, and gold.

The bank aims to promote small-sum and fractional investing, enabling customers to invest in portions of expensive assets. Postbank has not yet disclosed its investment platform partner or specific assets available for investment.

In a similar move, Fibank has also announced plans to offer crypto investments through its My Fibank app, partnering with Bitpanda. Both banks are responding to evolving regulatory conditions in the EU by incorporating investment services into their platforms.