ARK Invest Opens $10M Stake in BlackRock-Backed Securitize Amid Tokenization Growth

ARK Invest, led by CEO Cathie Wood, has invested approximately $10 million in Securitize, a leading firm specializing in tokenizing traditional financial assets onto the blockchain. This investment represents about 3.25% of ARK's Venture Fund assets, making Securitize the fund's eighth largest holding after artificial intelligence companies. Securitize has been pivotal in issuing over $4.6 billion in tokenized assets, collaborating with major institutions such as BlackRock, Hamilton Lane, and Apollo. The tokenization market has experienced rapid growth, expanding 112% this year to $33 billion, with projections estimating it could reach $18.9 trillion by 2033, signaling strong institutional interest in blockchain-based asset trading. ARK's investment underscores a belief that tokenization can reduce settlement times, increase market accessibility, and operate continuously, marking a significant trend in traditional finance's integration with blockchain technology. Despite challenges like regulation and liquidity, the partnership between ARK and Securitize highlights a strategic push towards the future of on-chain finance.