Citi Forecasts Stablecoins and Tokenized Securities Growth
The global post-trade market is on track for a major transformation, with stablecoins and tokenized securities expected to account for 10% of all transactions by 2030, according to a new report by Citigroup (Citi).
The bank’s latest Securities Services Evolution Report surveyed 537 senior executives across custodians, banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and institutional investors in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
More than half of respondents said their firms are strategically implementing digital assets into post-trade operations, signaling the next phase of blockchain adoption in global finance.
United States Leading, Europe and Asia Following
Regional expectations showed strong differences:
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United States: 14% of post-trade volumes expected to run on digital assets by 2030
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Europe: 10% forecast
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Asia-Pacific: 9% forecast
The US outlook stands out, driven by regulatory clarity from the GENIUS Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025.
Additionally, leadership from major firms such as Circle (USDC issuer), BlackRock, and other institutions scaling digital liquidity has bolstered US confidence in stablecoins and tokenization.
Blockchain to Drive a “Post-Trade Revolution”
According to Citi, distributed ledger technology (DLT) is poised to deliver key benefits by 2028, including:
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Faster settlement and clearing of securities
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Liquidity improvements in global markets
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Lower funding and operational costs for institutions
The report emphasized that DLT adoption is transitioning from early experimentation to strategic implementation, with the industry approaching a “tipping point” for global transformation.
Generative AI to Play a Role in Market Evolution
The report also found 57% of firms are piloting generative AI (GenAI) for post-trade operations.
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67% of institutional investors already use GenAI for reconciliation, reporting, clearing, and settlements
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83% of brokers, 63% of custodians, and 60% of asset managers are testing GenAI for onboarding processes
Citi noted that faster onboarding could “bridge the gap between retail and institutional clients” and significantly cut costs.
Stablecoins and Tokenization Near Tipping Point
As global adoption accelerates, stablecoins are being recognized as a tool for collateral efficiency and cross-border settlement, while tokenized securities expand the market for private assets.
Citi concluded that the next five years will see rapid transformation of the post-trade industry, combining blockchain, AI-powered automation, and tokenization to reshape how financial markets operate.
