Morgan Stanley Executive Says Tokenization Is Bringing an End to 9-to-5 Banking

Betsy Graseck, Morgan Stanley’s global head of banks and diversified finance research, said the spread of tokenized assets is fundamentally reshaping traditional banking.

CoinDesk reported on July 29 that Graseck said during a digital-asset panel that tokenization represents a transformation of the broader financial system, not just crypto. “The era of traditional banking operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is ending,” she said. Banks and exchanges are investing in technology that allows assets to move 24 hours a day rather than only during business hours.

She added that institutional investors are broadening their focus beyond cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to tokenized assets. Improved cash mobility, greater collateral efficiency and new investment opportunities are the main drivers, she said. Graseck also said companies that do not modernize their systems for the digital-asset environment risk falling behind and that adapting to the shift toward tokenization will form the basis for future growth.