Wall Street Calls Tokenization Strategic – Its Own Survey Says Equities Are the Exception

Broadridge Financial Solutions' inaugural Tokenization Pulse Survey reveals that 84% of senior decision-makers in the U.S. and Canada view tokenization as strategically important, with 68% expecting it to reshape financial markets within five years. While institutional appetite for tokenized mutual funds and money market funds is high, conviction regarding tokenized equities remains significantly lower due to complex governance and corporate action requirements. Despite this institutional hesitation, a16z crypto data shows tokenized stock transfer volumes surged to $9.22 billion in June, a 170x increase year-over-year. This discrepancy highlights a growing divide between regulated, hybrid infrastructure being built by traditional firms and the rapid growth of crypto-native synthetic equity wrappers. Traditional institutions are prioritizing infrastructure stability and regulatory compliance, whereas retail-driven DeFi platforms are capturing immediate demand for onchain equity exposure. The survey indicates that 69% of firms plan to hybridize existing systems rather than build separate ones, reflecting a cautious approach to integrating digital assets. Ultimately, the market is evolving at two distinct speeds, with institutional-grade funds leading the adoption curve while equity tokenization faces unresolved operational hurdles.