Chainlink and BlackRock Discuss Tokenized Asset Future at Digital Assets Week NYC

Tomorrow marks a significant moment in the evolution of digital finance, as Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov joins Joseph Chalom, Head of Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships at BlackRock, in a highly anticipated fireside chat at Digital Assets Week New York. The event brings together leading voices in blockchain and traditional finance to examine the convergence of decentralized and institutional markets.

A Timely Dialogue in a Changing Financial Landscape

As blockchain infrastructure matures and interest in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) intensifies, this dialogue comes at a pivotal juncture. Nazarov, a prominent figure in decentralized oracle networks and smart contract infrastructure, and Chalom, representing one of the world’s largest asset managers, will explore how both sectors are adapting and evolving.

Central to the discussion is the acceleration of tokenized asset adoption — a theme that has gained substantial momentum over the past year. Institutions like BlackRock have moved beyond exploratory phases, actively integrating blockchain into operational strategies. From tokenized money market funds to blockchain-based settlement layers, the path to digitized finance is no longer theoretical.

Bridging the Divide: TradFi and DeFi

One of the most compelling threads of the fireside chat will be the growing convergence between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). While these systems once seemed ideologically and structurally at odds, a more pragmatic integration is now underway.

Chainlink’s infrastructure has already proven crucial in this regard. Its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is being explored by financial institutions as a bridge between private and public blockchains. BlackRock’s engagement, meanwhile, signals that asset managers are beginning to see DeFi technologies not as threats, but as enablers of efficiency, transparency, and liquidity.

Nazarov is expected to discuss how decentralized oracles play a foundational role in enabling this hybrid future — providing secure data feeds and facilitating trustless automation for both on-chain and off-chain use cases.

The Road Ahead for Digital Assets

The fireside chat will also turn toward predictions and implications for the digital asset industry at large. With regulatory clarity slowly improving in regions like the U.S., UAE, and Europe, institutional confidence is building. This, in turn, is catalyzing the growth of tokenized treasuries, real estate, carbon credits, and other yield-bearing instruments on blockchain rails.

Both speakers are likely to emphasize the importance of interoperability, data security, and sustainable infrastructure in ensuring long-term viability. As Nazarov often notes in public appearances, the next stage of adoption isn’t about speculation — it’s about utility. Chalom, representing a risk-managed institutional view, will likely highlight compliance frameworks and risk mitigation in scaling these technologies.

A Conversation Worth Watching

The Chainlink–BlackRock fireside chat represents more than a passing moment in conference dialogue; it reflects a deepening commitment from both decentralized networks and institutional giants to collaboratively shape the future of finance.

While ideological divides may persist, the message from New York this week is clear: collaboration is replacing competition, and the digital asset space is entering a new, more mature phase of growth.