ARK Invest Expands into Tokenization with Stake in Securitize

ARK Invest, the renowned asset management firm led by Cathie Wood, is strengthening its position in the blockchain sector by investing in Securitize, a leading tokenization platform. The move comes as the financial world increasingly explores the potential of tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) on blockchain networks.

According to the latest disclosure from the ARK Venture Fund (ARKVX) dated September 30, Securitize represents 3.25% of the fund’s total holdings, making it the eighth-largest position behind AI companies like X.AI and Anthropic. With ARKVX managing $325.3 million in assets, ARK’s investment in Securitize is estimated to be around $10 million.

Securitize, founded in 2017 and led by CEO Carlos Domingo, has become a pioneer in asset tokenization, facilitating over $4.6 billion in tokenized assets. The firm has partnered with top financial institutions such as BlackRock, Hamilton Lane, and Apollo. Notably, Securitize powers BlackRock’s tokenized money market fund, the USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), which currently leads the tokenized U.S. Treasury market with $2.8 billion in assets.

The tokenization market is experiencing explosive growth—up 112% year-to-date to reach $33 billion, according to RWA.xyz. Analysts from Ripple and BCG predict that tokenized assets could surge to an astounding $18.9 trillion by 2033. This growth underscores a broader industry shift as traditional finance adopts blockchain for faster settlements, 24/7 trading, and expanded investor access.

ARK’s investment follows Securitize’s $47 million funding round led by BlackRock and Hamilton Lane, with ParaFi Capital and Tradeweb Markets also participating. As Wall Street accelerates its move toward blockchain-based finance, ARK’s latest bet positions it at the forefront of the tokenization revolution—bridging traditional finance with decentralized innovation.