<p>Can blockchain change the way we invest, own assets and move money? That question sat at the heart of Finance Forward, a new initiative launched today by WION, part of the Zee Media Group, at India Blockchain Week 2026. Marking a new chapter in conversations around the future of finance, the initiative brings together financial institutions, technology leaders, policymakers and experts to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping the financial landscape. From new investment models to regulatory challenges, the platform aims to bridge conversations between industry and policymakers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Asset tokenisation, artificial intelligence, digital payments, taxation and cybersecurity dominated discussions on day one, according to a ground report by WION’s principal correspondent Disha Yadav from Mumbai.</p><h3><strong>Understanding tokenisation</strong></h3><p>At the centre of today’s discussions was asset tokenisation, the process of converting ownership rights in real-world assets into digital tokens on a blockchain. The technology raises the possibility of investing in a fraction of a property or financial asset rather than purchasing it outright, potentially lowering entry barriers for investors and improving the efficiency of transactions. Discussions at the event explored how this works in practice and what protections are available to investors.</p><h3>Regulation, taxation and industry expectations</h3><p>While the technology continues to evolve, participants noted that the legal and regulatory framework will ultimately determine how far it can go. Conversations centred on ownership rights, taxation, smart contracts and investor protection, with the industry seeking greater clarity on the roles of issuers, distributors, custodians and regulators. With Budget 2027 on the horizon, expectations around a clearer policy framework are also coming into focus.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-host-indian-ocean-rim-association-foreign-ministers-in-new-delhi-1793538287700">India to host Indian Ocean Rim Association foreign ministers in New Delhi</a></p><h3>AI and cybersecurity</h3><p>Beyond blockchain, artificial intelligence emerged as another key theme of the day. From AI-powered payments to automated financial transactions, new technologies are reshaping how consumers and businesses interact with money. However, greater digital adoption is also expanding the threat landscape, with deepfakes, identity theft, online financial fraud and the misuse of digital assets posing new challenges for law enforcement.</p><h3>Bigger picture</h3><p>Discussions also touched on cross-border taxation, the future of real estate investment, and the infrastructure needed to support digital assets. For India, participants noted, the opportunity lies in building an ecosystem where innovation can grow alongside strong consumer safeguards and institutional trust. As Finance Forward takes these conversations ahead, one question remains central: Is tokenisation the future of finance? The answer, organisers say, will depend on how effectively technology, regulation and investor confidence come together.</p>

Asset tokenisation, artificial intelligence, digital payments, taxation and cybersecurity dominated discussions on day one, according to a ground report by WION’s principal correspondent Disha Yadav from Mumbai.

Can blockchain change the way we invest, own assets and move money? That question sat at the heart of Finance Forward, a new initiative launched today by WION, part of the Zee Media Group, at India Blockchain Week 2026. Marking a new chapter in conversations around the future of finance, the initiative brings together financial institutions, technology leaders, policymakers and experts to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping the financial landscape. From new investment models to regulatory challenges, the platform aims to bridge conversations between industry and policymakers. Asset tokenisation, artificial intelligence, digital payments, taxation and cybersecurity dominated discussions on day one, according to a ground report by WION’s principal correspondent Disha Yadav from Mumbai. Understanding tokenisation At the centre of today’s discussions was asset tokenisation, the process of converting ownership rights in real-world assets into digital tokens on a blockchain. The technology raises the possibility of investing in a fraction of a property or financial asset rather than purchasing it outright, potentially lowering entry barriers for investors and improving the efficiency of transactions. Discussions at the event explored how this works in practice and what protections are available to investors. Regulation, taxation and industry expectations While the technology continues to evolve, participants noted that the legal and regulatory framework will ultimately determine how far it can go. Conversations centred on ownership rights, taxation, smart contracts and investor protection, with the industry seeking greater clarity on the roles of issuers, distributors, custodians and regulators. With Budget 2027 on the horizon, expectations around a clearer policy framework are also coming into focus. Also read: India to host Indian Ocean Rim Association foreign ministers in New Delhi AI and cybersecurity Beyond blockchain, artificial intelligence emerged as another key theme of the day. From AI-powered payments to automated financial transactions, new technologies are reshaping how consumers and businesses interact with money. However, greater digital adoption is also expanding the threat landscape, with deepfakes, identity theft, online financial fraud and the misuse of digital assets posing new challenges for law enforcement. Bigger picture Discussions also touched on cross-border taxation, the future of real estate investment, and the infrastructure needed to support digital assets. For India, participants noted, the opportunity lies in building an ecosystem where innovation can grow alongside strong consumer safeguards and institutional trust. As Finance Forward takes these conversations ahead, one question remains central: Is tokenisation the future of finance? The answer, organisers say, will depend on how effectively technology, regulation and investor confidence come together.

<p>Asset tokenisation, artificial intelligence, digital payments, taxation and cybersecurity dominated discussions on day one, according to a ground report by WION’s principal correspondent Disha Yadav from Mumbai.</p>

Is tokenisation future of finance? WION launches Finance Forward at India Blockchain Week

In an exclusive show on tokenization, Token Money Magnet, the future of finance, let's listen to what the Founder and CEO of Zoth, Pritam Dutta, has to say about tokenization. Watch in for more details!

Tokenization could become a $5 trillion industry

In an exclusive show on tokenization, Token Money Magnet, the future of finance, let's listen to what ZeroTo3 Collective Founder and CEO Anuradha Chowdhary, has to say about tokenization. Watch in for more details!

'Tokenization is opportunity for creators', says ZeroTo3 Collective CEO| WION Token Money Magnet

'Token: Money Magnet' is an initiative by KALP in partnership with WION to spread awareness and educate on the impact of tokenization on global finance, converting real-world assets into digital tokens for enhanced liquidity and accessibility.

How long till tokenisation becomes widely adopted investment?

<p>Efforts to allow the use of tokenised shares of money-market funds from Wall Street giants such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton as collateral for trading advanced a step forward after a group of financial firms voted to ratify guidelines for their use.</p>

<p>A subcommittee of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Global Markets Advisory Committee voted Tuesday to pass its recommendations on the subject to the full committee. The recommendations describe how registered firms can use distributed ledger technology to hold and transfer non-cash collateral.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These recommendations will already have pre-existing regulations and processes so that blockchain can be utilised in a manner consistent with CFTC and other US regulators and derivatives clearing organisations' margin requirements. The full committee is going to vote on the recommendations sometime later this year.</p>

<p>This means that if the proposal's recommendations become fully ratified, it has the potential to expand the utilisation of tokenisation since many firms are looking to collateralise tokens for capital efficiencies. McKinsey estimates that the aggregate of the tokenised market excluding stablecoins - may reach $2 trillion by 2030 as it is driven by mutual funds, bonds and exchange-traded notes, loans and securitisations, and alternative funds. It is roughly about the same size as the entire crypto market.</p>

<p>Crypto prime brokers Hidden Road and FalconX are now allowing BlackRock's BUIDL token to be accepted as collateral.</p>

<p>Citadel, BlackRock, Bank of New York Mellon, and Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, are all members of the CFTC's Global Markets Advisory Committee.</p>


Efforts to allow the use of tokenised shares of money-market funds from Wall Street giants such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton as collateral for trading advanced a step forward after a group of financial firms voted to ratify guidelines for their use.

Efforts to allow the use of tokenised shares of money-market funds from Wall Street giants such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton as collateral for trading advanced a step forward after a group of financial firms voted to ratify guidelines for their use. A subcommittee of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Global Markets Advisory Committee voted Tuesday to pass its recommendations on the subject to the full committee. The recommendations describe how registered firms can use distributed ledger technology to hold and transfer non-cash collateral. These recommendations will already have pre-existing regulations and processes so that blockchain can be utilised in a manner consistent with CFTC and other US regulators and derivatives clearing organisations' margin requirements. The full committee is going to vote on the recommendations sometime later this year. This means that if the proposal's recommendations become fully ratified, it has the potential to expand the utilisation of tokenisation since many firms are looking to collateralise tokens for capital efficiencies. McKinsey estimates that the aggregate of the tokenised market excluding stablecoins - may reach $2 trillion by 2030 as it is driven by mutual funds, bonds and exchange-traded notes, loans and securitisations, and alternative funds. It is roughly about the same size as the entire crypto market. Crypto prime brokers Hidden Road and FalconX are now allowing BlackRock's BUIDL token to be accepted as collateral. Citadel, BlackRock, Bank of New York Mellon, and Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, are all members of the CFTC's Global Markets Advisory Committee.

BlackRock tokens edging closer to mainstream use as collateral

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