OKX and Blockworks Report: Blockchain to Reshape Global Industries

A new OKX Blockworks blockchain report forecasts sweeping disruption across key industries over the next 25 years, with blockchain applications poised to transform finance, technology, consumer goods, and entertainment.

Titled “The Future of Blockchain Applications: Reshaping Global Industries,” the report draws on insights from leaders at Visa, Standard Chartered, Google, Polygon, Franklin Templeton, McLaren Racing, and Manchester City Football Club, among others.

Haider Rafique, Managing Partner and CMO at OKX, said: “At OKX, we envision a future where virtually every industry will be reshaped by onchain technology. Our report offers a glimpse into the transformative potential of blockchain, which we believe will fundamentally redefine business models and establish new economic paradigms.”

Jason Yanowitz, Co-Founder of Blockworks, added: “Working with OKX on this report has been a unique opportunity to explore blockchain’s far-reaching implications. We’re excited to share how this technology is poised to redefine our global economy.”

Key Findings from the OKX Blockworks Blockchain Report

Finance: Tokenization and Stablecoins

The report projects tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) could reach $600 billion by 2030, with 10% of global GDP potentially stored onchain by 2027. Institutional interest is growing fast: over two-thirds of financial services leaders interviewed are building infrastructure for token issuance and servicing.

Stablecoins, too, are forecast to disrupt global payments, with companies like Visa and crypto-native platforms such as OKX Pay leading the evolution of cross-border transactions and wallet-native finance.

Technology: Blockchain Meets AI and Cloud

Blockchain is transforming how infrastructure and software are designed. The report identifies a powerful convergence between blockchain, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, potentially forming a multi-trillion-dollar ecosystem.

Decentralized AI training models and incentive mechanisms are being explored to create transparent, secure AI systems — a field that’s still nascent, but quickly accelerating.

Consumer Goods & Brands: Supply Chains and NFTs

From luxury brands to global retailers, blockchain is being adopted to enhance transparency, authenticity, and loyalty. Firms like Walmart and LVMH are integrating onchain solutions for supply chain tracking, smart contracts, and digital product passports.

Sports & Entertainment: Tokenized Experiences

Sports teams and entertainment brands are using blockchain to engage fans with team-specific tokens, digital collectibles, and metaverse-based experiences. The report also notes the potential for onchain creator economies, giving artists and content producers greater control over monetization and ownership.

Unlock Commentary: The Future is Already Happening in the UAE

While the OKX–Blockworks report envisions a 25-year transformation, the UAE is already living the future it describes. In fact, many of the highlighted use cases are no longer theoretical — they are active, regulated, and scaling.

• The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has begun rolling out real estate tokenization, in partnership with UAE-based CTRL-ALT, as reported earlier by Unlock Blockchain.
• The UAE Central Bank has already licensed AEcoin, the first officially regulated stablecoin under its new payment token regime — not as a pilot, but in full operational form.
• VARA’s updated rulebook clearly defines token issuance mechanisms, providing legal clarity for firms aiming to launch or service digital assets within Dubai.

While the report’s predictions are forward-looking, the UAE’s digital asset ecosystem is ahead of the curve. Tokenization, stablecoins, and regulated exchange activity are not merely being explored — they are being implemented under real, enforceable rules. The question in this region is not when blockchain will go mainstream, but how far regulators and institutions will go in enabling its full potential.

With OKX now licensed under VARA and deeply embedded in the region, it plays a dual role: both as a trusted global exchange and as a local enabler in the UAE’s transformation toward a fully onchain economy.