Opinion by: Zurab Ashvil, founder and CEO of T3RRA
When people talk about crypto and decentralized technology, there’s an underlying assumption that what’s really being discussed is the replacement of traditional finance.
Memecoins and speculative surges may dominate new cycles, but actual value is more likely to be found in building bridges.
It’s found in reports of crypto firms launching traditional investment products, the increasing tokenization of real-world assets and a general shift from hype-driven launches to building robust foundations, such as programmable finance, regulatory clarity and real-world utility.
This is not a collision between two conflicting entities but a convergence that lays the groundwork for a more open, efficient and resilient global financial system.
Bridging the gap between TradFi and DeFi
The desire is there: Institutional capital is not anti-innovation but needs to lower counterparty risk and embed programmable governance. In this instance, regulatory clarity is the critical enabler.
In the United States, the approval of spot Bitcoin ETPs and the introduction of the GENIUS and STABLE Acts have provided the framework for banks and institutions to engage with digital assets confidently. States like Texas and Wyoming are advancing their digital asset initiatives, while on the other side of the Atlantic, Europe’s MiCA regulation has introduced market rules for crypto assets.
This regulatory momentum unlocks capital, reduces risk and fosters innovation that can withstand scrutiny. Yet there is an argument that this shift toward institutionalization and regulation betrays crypto’s original ethos of decentralization and freedom.
That overlooks the reality of finance.
For innovation to become mainstream, there must be a balance between tradition and disruption. No matter what the service or product you are trying to develop, your audience will remain small if you cannot deliver the same levels of trust, security and scale that established institutions offer.
This isn’t about abandoning crypto’s disruptive instincts. It’s about leaning into its strengths. Blockchain offers transparency, programmability and speed, which can be harnessed to broaden access, unlock new sources of capital and improve experiences while delivering the levels of trust and scale previously only found in established finance.
This does mean that crypto projects have to meet new standards — transparent onchain records, automated compliance, and programmable cash flows are now increasingly the benchmarks for any blockchain-backed service or offering that matters. This is a marked departure from the opacity and fragmentation plaguing legacy finance and earlier crypto cycles.
Tokenization can introduce real-world utility
Nowhere is this shift from hype to infrastructure more apparent than in real estate. Commercial real estate is one of the world’s most valuable asset classes, and one of the most illiquid. With high transaction costs and governed by systems designed long before the first computer existed, much of the sector’s reported $38 trillion value is trapped.
Yet crypto, through blockchain-based tokenization, could offer an answer. One report suggests that trillions in real estate could be tokenized by 2035, democratizing access to the asset class, transforming wealth creation and unlocking liquidity.
Related: Dubai launches first licensed tokenized real estate project in MENA region
Tokenizing real estate introduces fractional ownership, opening the asset class to a broader range of investors. A student in one part of the world could own a fraction of a shopping center in another; an Asian community can generate revenue via yields from a development in Europe, or vice versa. A crypto exchange can secure assets against property or offer real estate-backed rewards.
The implications for the broader market are significant. As infrastructure matures, we will see a surge in tokenized assets and greater institutional participation, accelerating the blurred lines between traditional and decentralized finance. As that becomes more pervasive, we’ll shift from an era of speculative excess to tangible utility and sustainable growth.
Enhancing established systems
Only by building robust, transparent infrastructure can the industry achieve its promise of democratizing finance. Enhancement, not replacement, is the path forward.
The projects that will define the next decade are those that prioritize regulatory clarity, institutional-grade security and verifiable economic models. The future of crypto is not about overthrowing the old order, but about enhancing it to make finance more open, efficient and accessible for all.
Opinion by: Zurab Ashvil, founder and CEO of T3RRA.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
