The WEF defines the role of tokenization in the financial system by 2026

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has stopped treating blockchain technology as an experimental promise and is now formally integrating it into its systemic modernization strategy. 

Blockchain technology has become a key component in the design of modern global finance. Its evolution has led it to move beyond being seen as a proposal limited to specialized environments and to occupy a significant place in how financial systems are structured. 

In a geoeconomic context marked by fragmentation, this technology allows for more efficient coordination of operations by shifting trust to code-based systems and offering a level of transparency built in from the ground up.

The transformation driven by this technology reduces historical frictions associated with intermediaries, verification times, and inefficient processes. In this context, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has taken an active role in promoting a more structured vision for blockchain development through its initiative. Future of Blockchain and Digital AssetsThrough this initiative, the organization seeks to align regulatory criteria between different countries, avoiding the dispersion of rules that often arises when each jurisdiction moves forward separately.

The proposal emphasizes the practical application of the technology, prioritizing its technical implementation over speculative approaches. From this perspective, blockchain-based infrastructure is positioned as a key element. essential for modernizing financial marketsespecially in areas such as settlement of trades and access to capital in real time, where speed and efficiency make all the difference.

Global governance and sovereignty in the deployment of digital assets

The World Economic Forum is making progress in building a legal framework that will allow the integration of blockchain technology across borders. After thoroughly reviewing nine key jurisdictions and considering proposals such as the Genius Act in the United StatesThe organization aims for a shared regulatory framework to facilitate its adoption across diverse environments. Its current approach moves away from promotional enthusiasm and focuses on providing practical, neutral guidance that enables governments and businesses to incorporate this technology safely and clearly.

Blockchain, which originated as a technology linked to cryptocurrencies, is now emerging as an infrastructure capable of modernizing multiple sectors. In this context, the WEF is paying particular attention to the central bank digital currencies for wholesale use, considering them a key element in the evolution of international payments. 

By 2026, the vast majority of central banks are already exploring or implementing digital versions of their currencies, with the aim of making transactions between financial institutions more efficient and reducing risks through interconnected distributed ledger systems.

For the WEF, achieving this level of integration requires strict adherence to guiding principles such as fairness and transparency, which is why it insists that the benefits of technology must be accessible to governments at all levels, avoiding the creation of new technological gaps. 

Regulation plays an active role in this process, especially following the implementation of legal frameworks such as the Genius Act in the United States and the MiCA regulation in Europe. These regulations provide the necessary legal foundation for stablecoins and other digital assets to operate under clear oversight. Based on this, the organization emphasizes that the technical discussion is now shifting towards how these laws influence the geoeconomic landscape, enabling the digital economy to function safely and legally across various jurisdictions.

Tokenization: The new frontier of financial efficiency

The WEF also identifies in the tokenization A new, massive use case for blockchain technology is emerging, with an increasingly visible impact on how assets are managed and transferred. This innovation transforms property rights into digital representations, opening access to markets that were previously limited or inaccessible to many participants. 

Between May 2025 and April 2026, various reports from the agency highlight how this evolution facilitates the financing of securities and improves portfolio management in both the public and private sectors.

The ability to schedule property ownership introduces a layer of efficiency that transforms traditional processes. Companies can reduce operating costs while automating tasks such as dividend distribution and regulatory compliance. This allows for more precise and continuous management, with less friction in transactions that previously required multiple intermediaries.

In parallel, the financial ecosystem is broadening its focus to include Decentralized Finance (DFS). These tools are beginning to be integrated into the agendas of large corporations exploring their potential to complement existing banking services. The Global Future Council is analyzing how these protocols can operate under governance frameworks that reduce risks and provide stability, in an environment that is already showing clear signs of maturity.

By 2026, the conversation has moved beyond a purely technical focus and is centered on the actual implementation of more modern and efficient infrastructure. The goal of organizations now is to build a reliable technological foundation that facilitates global trade and allows digital assets to become an essential part of a more connected and functional financial system.

From this perspective, the World Economic Forum considers blockchain technology as a disruptive innovation When applied responsibly, cryptocurrencies have the potential to strengthen trust, reduce unethical practices, and give users greater control. The organization also recognizes cryptocurrencies as an entry point to new forms of value creation and as agents capable of transforming traditional financial markets.