Why Tokenized Assets Aren’t Taking off Despite the Hype—What’s Holding Investors Back

Franklin Templeton executive Chetan Karkhanis highlights that while tokenized real-world assets have moved beyond technical proofs of concept, significant structural barriers prevent widespread adoption. The primary challenges include a lack of standardized blockchain infrastructure, interoperability issues between disparate networks, and fragmented cross-border regulatory frameworks. Currently, tokenized cash and asset products operate on isolated rails, complicating settlement and limiting liquidity compared to traditional financial markets. The Bank for International Settlements and IOSCO have both identified these operational and regulatory dependencies as critical hurdles to scaling the industry. Franklin Templeton, managing $1.78 trillion in assets, emphasizes that success depends on simplifying the user experience so that blockchain technology eventually fades into the background. Rather than displacing traditional finance, tokenization is expected to integrate with existing distribution platforms to offer familiar products like money market funds and ETFs. Ultimately, the sector's growth will be measured by sustained secondary market liquidity and broader investor participation rather than technological novelty alone.