Former hedge fund manager and current head of macro AI at 22V Research, Jordi Visser, has recently added Ether, the native cryptocurrency of Ethereum, to his portfolio. Visser emphasized that the reality of “tokenization” is accelerating in 2024 and is transforming digital payments powered by artificial intelligence.
Tokenization and AI: Shaping the future
On a recent podcast, Visser discussed that tokenization remains an underexplored topic, especially in terms of its deep connection with AI. Tokenization refers to turning real-world assets into digital representations on the blockchain. According to Visser, for AI to be more broadly used in commerce, digital assets like Ether and stablecoins will be needed—cutting out the need for traditional bank accounts and financial intermediaries.
“AI agents are now part of our daily lives. What they need is not physical goods, but tokens,” Visser explained. He also noted that there has been an ongoing supply shortage in this area, which could lead to significant supply-demand imbalances in the future.
Recent trends show a surge in AI-driven payments. In just the past month, autonomous payments processed via Coinbase’s x402 standard have exceeded $24 million. This signals rising demand for digital assets.
Advances in blockchain for autonomous payments
Crypto protocols are moving quickly to integrate AI-powered autonomous payment capabilities into their blockchains. Notably, the Algorand Foundation has partnered with Google to launch the AP2 Agentic Payments Protocol, enhancing automated payment functions on-chain.
Ethereum stands out in the tokenization of real-world assets. Data from RWA.xyz shows that Ethereum, across its mainnet and layer 2 solutions, now commands over 60% of this market. This solidifies Ethereum’s leadership in the tokenized asset sector.
Liquidity and price discovery challenges
Visser highlighted that tokenization is not limited to crypto assets. He notes that in illiquid markets such as private credit, private equity, and venture capital, tokenization is becoming an essential tool for price discovery. This process could help mobilize inactive capital that is currently tied up in stagnant assets, allowing it to flow back into the broader economy.
“Transparency and liquidity are becoming increasingly critical factors in today’s markets. Large amounts of capital remain locked in these inactive assets,” Visser underlined in his remarks.
To protect his portfolio against inflationary pressures, Visser also reported investments in gold and silver, as well as purchases of Bitcoin. He argues that Bitcoin serves as a valuable tool for both portfolio diversification and a hedge against potential market volatility.
Visser’s approach reflects a growing trend among institutional investors seeking new forms of asset security and diversification as digital assets and AI technologies reshape the financial landscape.
The combination of AI-driven payment systems and rapid expansion in tokenized digital assets is set to have a lasting impact on the integration of traditional finance and blockchain technology.
With blockchain protocols like Ethereum and Algorand building out advanced payment infrastructures, the future of finance looks more autonomous and data-centric than ever before.
As regulatory frameworks evolve, the ecosystem for tokenization is expected to broaden, making it central to transparent and efficient capital markets.
Looking ahead, experts suggest that the continued rise in tokenized asset markets will play a pivotal role in unlocking liquidity, expanding financial access, and enabling new economic interactions between AI and humans.
