Citi Projects $5.5 Trillion Boom in Tokenized Securities by 2030
By John Nada·Jun 1, 2026·6 min read
Citi projects tokenized securities to soar to $5.5 trillion by 2030, driven by Wall Street's embrace and stablecoin growth.
Tokenization is stepping out of the shadows. Citi's report signals a seismic shift as Wall Street giants embed this revolutionary technology directly into their trading systems. The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) plans to initiate trades of tokenized securities as early as July, with a more extensive rollout slated for October. Nasdaq and Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, are not far behind, crafting frameworks for blockchain-based shares, as reported by CoinDesk.
Tokenization, a process that involves putting real-world investments onchain, is set to transition from the testing phase into everyday business operations. According to Citi’s report titled "Tokenization 2030: Wall Street On-Chain" shared with CoinDesk, the current global market for these digital investments is a modest $17 billion. However, this market is expected to surge to $5.5 trillion by 2030, marking a major turning point in the financial landscape.
The anticipated growth underscores the full weight of American financial power and the global reserve currency moving on change at scale. As DTCC and the NYSE embed tokenization into capital markets, it marks a significant tipping point for the industry. This development is driven by three major shifts, as outlined in the report.
Firstly, traditional companies that run the world’s stock markets are integrating this technology directly into their regular trading systems. In early May, DTCC announced it would start limited production trades of tokenized securities in July, with a broader launch of its platform set for October. Meanwhile, Nasdaq is working on a framework for companies to issue blockchain-based shares, with a potential launch as early as 2027. Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, also has plans for tokenized stocks. Nasdaq has also received regulatory approval to allow certain stocks to be issued and traded in this digital onchain form.
Secondly, the rise of trusted digital cash is providing the missing piece to make these trades settle instantly. Standard stablecoins are expected to grow to a $1.9 trillion market by 2030, working alongside digital bank deposits to allow assets and cash to swap at the exact same moment. The report anticipates that the growth of stablecoins alone could create about $1 trillion in new demand for U.S. government bonds. This is because the companies issuing stablecoins back their digital cash with these real bonds.
The stablecoin market is set to expand substantially. With an expected market size of $1.9 trillion by 2030, stablecoins will play a crucial role in facilitating instant settlement trades alongside digital bank deposits. This growth alone could generate a demand for $1 trillion in U.S. government bonds. The stablecoins, by being backed with real-world assets like U.S. Treasury bills, ensure a level of stability and trust that is crucial for the adoption and integration of tokenized securities into mainstream markets.
Thirdly, the regulatory landscape is clearing up, with a significant U.S. digital asset bill advancing to a Senate vote. On May 14, the Senate Banking Committee managed to end a four-month stall, with a 15-9 bipartisan approval by the committee, which advanced the Clarity Act to its next step. This move potentially sets the stage for mainstream adoption of tokenization as government rules become clearer and more supportive of digital asset transactions.
Citi anticipates that mainstream public markets, including U.S. stocks and government bonds, will primarily drive this growth. They predict that 10% of the U.S. Treasury bill market and 3% of the stock market will be tokenized by 2030. If just 10% of U.S. investors transition to digital trading platforms, it could spark a $2.6 trillion demand for tokenized stocks. This demand projection highlights the significant interest and potential for growth within the tokenized securities market.
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Yet, the transition won't be immediate. Like the gradual adoption of electronic toll systems, both old and new financial structures will coexist until the digital system fully integrates. The report compares this shift to how highways adopted electronic toll tags like E-ZPass. Toll roads did not become fully automated in one day. Instead, states built wider roads with parallel lanes for both cash and automated drivers, which added extra cost and confusion before everyone eventually switched over to the fully automated system.
In this evolving landscape, "Structural Orchestrators"—major banks and investment firms controlling both real assets and digital cash rails—are poised to gain significant advantages. These entities will manage trades within their networks, leveraging their control over both the real assets and the digital infrastructure required for transactions. The convergence of existing systems with digital innovations paints a picture of the future financial market, where efficiency and speed redefine trading norms.
Citi envisions the tokenized securities market ballooning to $5.5 trillion by 2030 from a mere $17 billion today. This escalation reflects major structural changes as both traditional finance and crypto converge. Citi's base forecast places the market anywhere between $2.7 trillion and a bullish $8.2 trillion, depending on the speed of adoption. This wide range of forecasts illustrates the level of uncertainty and potential within the market, depending on how quickly and widely tokenization is embraced.
On the other side, complex areas like private credit and private equity are each expected to reach a much smaller $100 billion globally by 2030. These sectors, while important, face more challenges in terms of liquidity and regulatory hurdles, which may slow down their transition to a tokenized format compared to public markets.
Ultimately, this new setup will give a significant advantage to the "Structural Orchestrators". These are the specific big banks and investment firms that control both the real assets and the digital cash rails used to pay for them, allowing them to handle the entire trade inside their own network. By managing the entire transaction process, these orchestrators can offer more seamless and efficient services, further driving the adoption of tokenized securities.
As the financial world prepares for these shifts, the integration of tokenization into mainstream markets is expected to redefine how trading and investment strategies are formed and executed. The anticipated growth and adoption of tokenized securities present both challenges and opportunities for existing financial institutions and new entrants alike. The ability to adapt and innovate in this changing environment will be crucial for success.
The report emphasizes that the growth they forecast will happen in mainstream public markets, such as U.S. stocks and government bonds, rather than private markets, which are harder to trade and change slowly. This focus on public markets highlights the scalability and potential impact of tokenization on a global scale, as these markets represent a substantial portion of global financial activity.
The anticipated boom in tokenized securities underscores the transformative potential of blockchain technology within the financial sector. By enabling more efficient and transparent trading processes, tokenization offers a pathway to modernize and enhance existing financial systems. As the industry continues to evolve, the role of innovative technologies like blockchain and tokenization will be pivotal in shaping the future of finance.