How AI and blockchain are reshaping finance: Key takeaways from global leaders

Abu Dhabi recently hosted a major discussion on AI and blockchain’s role in finance. About 40 top figures from banks like BlackRock, regulators, and tech firms joined forces to explore how these technologies could transform markets. The focus wasn’t just on theory—it was on real challenges. Leaders talked about AI making more decisions without human input, which could overload current systems. Blockchain was seen as a way to keep things secure and transparent as more automated machines interact. Tokenization—turning assets like gold or stocks into digital tokens—was a hot topic too. Some argued it could redesign entire markets, from trading to settlements. Early examples like tokenized gold already pull money from traditional funds, showing early demand.But big obstacles remain. Rules are unclear, especially for stablecoins and digital assets. Some regulations make holding crypto too risky for big institutions, with capital charges as high as 1, 250% under Basel rules. Different countries also have messy overlap between anti-money laundering checks, tax rules, and accounting standards. Without clear, balanced guidelines, innovation could stall. The roundtable also pointed out that tokenization only works if markets stay liquid and redemption is easy. Otherwise, it’s just a fancy way to wrap assets without real change. Hype isn’t the same as progress. Leaders stressed the need for strong governance, identity checks, and audit trails. Systems must stay reliable even as AI takes bigger roles. Experts say the future depends on cooperation. Regulators, banks, and tech firms need to align on rules before adoption scales. Some worry that if governments over-regulate too soon, experimentation dies. Others say waiting too long could let risks grow unchecked. The balance is tricky.