A new nationwide survey from the Coalition for Tokenized Markets (CTM) and HarrisX suggests that Americans are increasingly receptive to tokenized investments once they understand the technology’s practical benefits. While public awareness of tokenization remains relatively low, the research indicates that demand rises significantly when the concept is framed as an evolution of regulated financial markets rather than a cryptocurrency product.

The Coalition for Tokenized Markets (CTM) and market research firm HarrisX have released the 2026 Report on Tokenization Adoption, offering new insight into how U.S. consumers view digital assets, blockchain-enabled financial products, and the future of tokenized investments.

Based on a survey of 2,008 registered U.S. voters, the report highlights an important trend for the financial services industry: education appears to be a larger barrier than consumer demand. Only 31% of respondents said they were familiar with tokenization, but 50% expressed interest in investing in tokenized versions of traditional financial assets after learning about the technology and its potential benefits.

Interest was even stronger among existing digital asset users, reaching 85% among cryptocurrency owners and 79% among respondents already familiar with digital assets.

What Is Tokenization?

Tokenization is the process of representing ownership of real-world financial assets—such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or investment funds—as digital tokens recorded on a blockchain.

Unlike cryptocurrencies, which function as independent digital assets, tokenized securities represent existing regulated financial instruments while potentially improving how they are issued, traded, settled, and managed.

The survey suggests that consumers respond more positively when tokenization is presented as financial infrastructure modernization rather than blockchain innovation.

Among the benefits tested, respondents ranked faster settlement, 24/7 market access, lower transaction costs, and simpler asset transfers as the most compelling advantages. By comparison, describing tokenization as simply “using blockchain technology” generated the weakest level of interest.

Trust Remains With Traditional Financial Institutions

One of the report’s most significant findings is that consumers continue to place greater confidence in established financial institutions than in crypto-native companies.

According to the survey, 45% of respondents said they would trust traditional financial institutions to offer tokenized investment products, compared with 28% who preferred cryptocurrency or technology firms.

The findings suggest banks, asset managers, custodians, and regulated investment firms may be better positioned to lead the commercialization of tokenized financial products as the market matures.

Respondents also emphasized the importance of investor protections, including strong cybersecurity, clear regulatory oversight, competitive fees, and the ability to hold tokenized investments through existing brokerage or investment accounts.

Regulatory Clarity Continues to Shape Adoption

The research comes as policymakers continue debating digital asset legislation in the United States.

A separate HarrisX survey of 1,008 registered voters, conducted in early August 2026, found 74% support for the proposed CLARITY Act after respondents learned about the legislation’s objectives. Support crossed political lines, with majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents expressing approval.

The survey also found that 44% of voters would consider supporting a candidate outside their preferred political party if that candidate advocated responsible digital asset regulation and backed the CLARITY Act. Among cryptocurrency owners, that figure increased to 74%, indicating digital asset policy is becoming a more influential election issue.

Beyond domestic regulation, respondents also favored international coordination. Nearly 78% of Americans said it is important for U.S. and European regulators to develop compatible frameworks that allow tokenized investments to move efficiently across borders.

Why Tokenization Matters for Financial Markets

Tokenization is increasingly viewed as one of the most significant developments in financial market infrastructure. By digitizing ownership records and automating settlement processes through distributed ledger technology, financial institutions aim to improve market efficiency while reducing operational costs.

According to McKinsey & Company, tokenization could unlock trillions of dollars in economic value over the coming decade by transforming how financial assets are issued and traded. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has similarly projected substantial growth in tokenized real-world assets as institutional adoption accelerates across capital markets.

Major financial institutions and technology companies—including BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon—continue investing in blockchain infrastructure, digital asset custody, and tokenization platforms, reflecting growing institutional interest in regulated digital finance.

The HarrisX and CTM findings suggest widespread adoption may depend less on blockchain technology itself and more on regulatory certainty, trusted financial institutions, and clearly demonstrated benefits for investors. As tokenized markets continue evolving, traditional financial firms appear well positioned to bridge conventional investing with next-generation digital financial infrastructure.

Top Insights

  • Consumer awareness of tokenization remains limited, but interest doubles once investors understand its practical benefits and real-world financial applications.
  • Americans place greater trust in traditional financial institutions than crypto-native firms for offering tokenized investment products.
  • Faster settlement, lower fees, and continuous market access rank higher than blockchain technology as drivers of adoption.
  • Strong investor protections and clear SEC and CFTC regulations remain essential for mainstream acceptance of tokenized assets.
  • Bipartisan support for digital asset regulation suggests tokenization and crypto policy are becoming increasingly important financial and political issues.

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