Token2049 week - what's on the horizon?

Next week is all about Digital Assets with the convergence of Token2049 and UK FinTech Week.

We are delighted to be attending Token2049 in Dubai next week on behalf of our Global Digital Asset Team.

For those of you attending, and those following from further afield, we predict that the five topics below will shape discussions at both events this year:

The Boom in Tokenisation of Real World Assets (RWAs)

Tokenisation is experiencing its renaissance. A standout example is Dubai’s new Real Estate Tokenisation Scheme, which enables fractional ownership of property all recorded on-chain. This marks a significant step toward institutional-grade infrastructure for tokenised assets, with growing interest from family offices and sovereign wealth funds alike. Expect discussion around asset standards, liquidity pathways, and differing legal frameworks.  

Regulated DeFi and Institutional Onramps

We are witnessing a rapid evolution in “compliant DeFi.” Regulatory frameworks such as MiCA in the EU and developments in Singapore and the UK are paving the way for institutional adoption. Asset managers are increasingly active in this space, leveraging on-chain solutions that meet financial regulatory standards.

The Rise of L2 Ecosystems and Modular Chains

Layer 2s are no longer just scaling solutions — they’re forming vibrant ecosystems. Projects are pushing the frontier, while modular chain infrastructure is gaining traction. This movement toward composability, scalability, and data availability layers is set to redefine blockchain architecture.

The Convergence of AI and Web3

The intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain is maturing. Projects are exploring decentralised AI compute, while others are building token-based models for data ownership, provenance, and training transparency. Events this week will likely probe whether blockchain offers a credible solution to the perceived risks of AI.

Stablecoins and CBDC Infrastructure

With the rise of PYUSD, USDC, and other regulated stablecoins, cross-border settlements are becoming faster, cheaper, and more transparent. At the same time, institutions are trialling cross-jurisdictional CBDC platforms. Expect panels focused on legal architecture, interoperability, and monetary sovereignty.

We work with clients across the digital asset lifecycle — from token issuers and exchanges to family offices, fund managers, and private clients.

For more on our expertise in this space, please visit our website here and read our brochure here.

We will both be sharing insights during the week and would be delighted to connect with others in the ecosystem. If you're in Dubai, do follow us on LinkedIn, and get in touch.