Tokenization’s True Value Lies in Infrastructure, Not Just Assets
New York, NY – Investors seeking to profit from the burgeoning world of tokenization should look beyond tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and instead focus on the underlying networks that power this financial revolution, according to Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise. He identifies Ethereum, Solana, and Chainlink as prime candidates poised to benefit significantly.
The Limitations of Tokenized Assets
In a recent interview, Hougan acknowledged that tokenized assets offer some marginal advantages, such as 24/7 trading and enhanced borrowing capabilities. However, he emphasized that a tokenized Tesla share, for instance, remains fundamentally a Tesla share, with the majority of its returns derived from the company’s performance rather than the tokenization itself.
“If you want to benefit from tokenization as an investor, you have to own the infrastructure that makes it happen,” Hougan stated.
Key Altcoins for Tokenization Gains
Hougan also advised investors to consider companies actively developing within the tokenization space, characterizing the trend as a “once-in-a-generation upgrade” to the global financial system.
Chainlink’s Dominant Position
He specifically highlighted Chainlink, estimating its market share for connecting blockchains to real-world data at an impressive 70% to 80%. As more real-world assets migrate onto the blockchain, Hougan predicts that nearly all of them will necessitate interaction with Chainlink’s services.
He placed Chainlink’s current valuation between $6 billion and $7 billion, a figure he described as “relatively small” given its potential to underpin global markets for the next three to five decades.
The interviewer pointed out that spot Chainlink ETFs, launched in December 2025, have not experienced a single week of net outflows, even amidst a challenging market sentiment. Hougan interpreted this as a clear indication that “investors get it.”
Implications for Retail Investors
Looking ahead, Hougan anticipates two significant transformations over the next decade. He also suggested that tokenization could emerge as the most impactful financial inclusion tool to date, providing individuals with mobile phones access to global investment opportunities.
