Citi's latest "Securities Services Evolution" report, based on a survey of 537 industry leaders including custodians, brokerages, and asset managers, forecasts that stablecoins and tokenized assets will fundamentally transform global post-trade markets within five years. The banking giant emphasizes that stablecoins issued by financial institutions will be primary enablers of this shift, significantly enhancing collateral efficiency and fund tokenization.
The report highlights that 10% of market volume could consist of tokenized assets by 2030, driven by institutional engagement and AI-driven automation. The Asia-Pacific region is leading adoption due to regulatory support and retail investor interest. Notably, 86% of surveyed firms are testing AI in customer onboarding, while 57% are running pilot projects for post-clearance transactions.
Citi links this transformation to the transition to T+1 settlement in the US, which has increased the need for automation due to higher trade fail scrutiny and accelerated operational timelines. Chris Cox, Head of Citi Investor Services, stated: "The industry is on the cusp of a historic transformation driven by the adoption of digital assets and the application of artificial intelligence."