The 2026 Tokenization Supercycle: Strategic Entry Points in AI-Driven Crypto Fintech

The financial landscape is on the cusp of a transformative shift, driven by the convergence of tokenization and artificial intelligence (AI). By 2026, this "tokenization supercycle" will redefine capital markets, enabling real-time settlement, autonomous asset management, and hyper-personalized financial services. For investors, the key lies in identifying undervalued projects that are pioneering infrastructure innovation while navigating regulatory and market adoption gaps.

The AI-Driven Tokenization Infrastructure Revolution

Tokenization-converting traditional assets into blockchain-based digital tokens-has evolved from a niche experiment to a core component of modern finance. By 2025, institutional players like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton had already launched tokenized money-market funds exceeding $1 billion in assets under management, signaling mainstream validation. Meanwhile, AI has transitioned from an assistive tool to an operational necessity, automating workflows such as underwriting, fraud detection, and liquidity provision. J.P. Morgan's 2025 report emphasized that AI and machine learning are critical for scaling 24/7 tokenized markets, enabling real-time compliance and risk mitigation.

The integration of AI into tokenization infrastructure is not merely about efficiency but resilience. AI agents now evaluate tokenized collateral in real time, dynamically redeploying assets to minimize funding costs and optimize liquidity. This synergy is projected to expand the global AI fintech market to $83.1 billion by 2030, with 85% of financial institutions already embedding AI into core operations.

Undervalued Innovators in 2026

Despite the sector's momentum, certain projects remain undervalued due to nascent adoption or infrastructure challenges. These represent strategic entry points for forward-looking investors:

1. Fnality and Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization
   Fnality, a digital asset infrastructure firm, secured nearly £100 million in Series C funding for its tokenization initiatives, focusing on real-world assets (RWAs) like treasuries and private credit. While tokenized RWAs reached $33 billion in October 2025, Fnality's valuation remains anchored to traditional metrics, overlooking its role in enabling institutional-grade tokenized collateral. As the U.S. GENIUS Act clarifies stablecoin regulations, Fnality's infrastructure could become a linchpin for cross-border settlements and asset securitization.

2. Exein: AI-Powered Cybersecurity for Tokenized Systems
   Italy-based Exein raised €100 million ($117 million) to develop AI-driven runtime security for blockchain infrastructure. Its firmware-level protection addresses a critical gap in tokenized markets, where smart contract vulnerabilities and AI model integrity are paramount. With 70% of fintech logins now using biometric authentication, Exein's focus on securing AI agents and tokenized assets positions it as a hidden beneficiary of the supercycle.

3. Plata: Digital Banking for Emerging Markets
   Mexico's Plata secured $500 million in financing to launch as a regulated digital bank. By leveraging AI for credit scoring and tokenization for asset-backed lending, Plata addresses infrastructure gaps in Latin America, where fintech startups grew 35% year-over-year in 2025. Its focus on underserved SMEs and real-time settlement aligns with the supercycle's emphasis on financial inclusion and efficiency.

Challenges and Risks

While the opportunities are vast, investors must navigate several risks. First, overhyped AI tools have underperformed due to insufficient data and rapid market shifts. Second, regulatory uncertainty persists, particularly in cross-border tokenization and AI governance. Third, infrastructure scalability remains a hurdle, especially in emerging markets where digital payment adoption is still nascent.

Strategic Entry Points for 2026

To capitalize on the tokenization supercycle, investors should prioritize projects with:
- Scalable infrastructure: Firms like Fnality and Tempo, which provide foundational tools for tokenized markets.
- Regulatory alignment: Projects benefiting from frameworks like the U.S. GENIUS Act according to Global X ETFs or the EU's evolving AI Act.
- AI-native business models: Companies embedding AI into core operations (e.g., Exein's security solutions or Plata's credit algorithms).

The Rule of 40-a metric combining growth rate and EBITDA margin-remains a key valuation benchmark, with AI-native platforms commanding multiples up to 17.3x revenue. Investors should also monitor the Rule of 40 compliance of target firms, as those exceeding the threshold are projected to see valuation premiums of 40-73%.

Conclusion

The 2026 tokenization supercycle represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the infrastructure of the future. By focusing on undervalued innovators like Fnality, Exein, Tempo, and Plata, investors can position themselves at the intersection of AI and tokenization-two forces set to redefine global finance. As the sector matures, early adopters who prioritize infrastructure resilience and regulatory adaptability will reap the greatest rewards.