The Block Research · 2024
The Future of Tokenization: How ZKsync Is Changing the Game
The Block Research report examines how ZKsync's Elastic Chain architecture is positioned to capture the projected $10–16 trillion tokenized asset market by 2030. The report argues that while tokenization of real-world assets has already surged past $11 billion, the industry has yet to achieve full on-chain issuance and value transfer — and that ZKsync's combination of scalability, customization, confidentiality, security, and native interoperability addresses the key technical and enterprise-readiness blockers preventing that transition.
Key takeaways
- 97% of institutional investors (BNY Mellon/Celent survey) agree tokenization will revolutionize asset management; BCG/ADDX project a $10–16T tokenized asset market by 2030
- ZKsync's Elastic Chain enables full on-chain issuance by eliminating intermediaries, minimizing counterparty risk, enabling real-time settlement, and improving liquidity through automated smart contracts
- Modular ZK Stack lets enterprises customize chain type, gas token, data availability, data visibility, accessibility (permissioned/permissionless), sequencing, and consensus — supporting granular compliance and confidentiality requirements
- Early institutional traction includes Tradable ($500M+ private credit tokenization), Fidelity International ($50M money market fund on ZKsync Era), Deutsche Bank (asset tokenization platform on a ZK Chain), and Buenos Aires government (decentralized digital identity for 3.6M residents)
- Three remaining adoption blockers identified: regulatory clarity, technological robustness, and enterprise readiness — with the Elastic Chain directly addressing the latter two while positioning enterprises to adapt as regulations evolve