4. What’s Next? Predictions on the Future of Blockchain Regulation
As global policy frameworks continue to evolve, the focus of blockchain regulation is shifting from foundational groundwork to practical execution. While efforts like the G20 crypto roadmap and IOSCO standards represent major strides toward global alignment, there remain crucial areas where regulation is expected to expand and deepen.
Cross-Border Harmonization
Although global regulatory alignment is underway, true cross-border harmonization remains an ongoing challenge—particularly when it comes to enabling the seamless exchange of tokenized assets across jurisdictions and blockchain networks. A 2024 report by Axelar Foundation and Metrika, developed in collaboration with Citi, Deutsche Bank, Mastercard, and Northern Trust, underscores the need for unified frameworks that can facilitate interoperability across chains and national borders (Reuters, 2024).
Reflecting this momentum, South Korea announced it will begin regulating the cross-border trade of virtual assets in 2025, requiring firms to register with authorities and report to the Bank of Korea—illustrating growing global consensus around cross-border oversight (Reuters, 2024).
AI x Blockchain: Regulating the Intersection
As artificial intelligence and blockchain converge, regulators are being forced to confront new challenges around explainability, ethics, and automated decision-making. Blockchain offers a decentralized, tamper-proof foundation that can improve the transparency of AI systems. However, combining the two technologies—especially in applications like smart contracts and autonomous agents—raises regulatory questions about liability, data privacy, and auditability.
A recent preprint from arXiv highlights how blockchain can support AI transparency, but also flags the need for clearer accountability standards. Meanwhile, in the financial sector, the lack of explainability in AI-based decisions (e.g., in credit scoring) is pushing regulators worldwide to prioritize policies that ensure ethical usage, audit trails, and compliance with laws like GDPR.
ext phase lies in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs)—from real estate and government bonds to commodities and precious metals. A standout example is Lexim Gold, a platform offering fractional ownership of physical gold through blockchain tokens. Developed in collaboration with Codora, Lexim Gold leverages secure smart contracts and built-in compliance logic to ensure transparency, auditability, and seamless integration into regulated environments. Based in Dubai—a jurisdiction known for its forward-looking crypto regulations—Lexim Gold demonstrates how regulatory-ready infrastructure can power scalable tokenization solutions.
Globally, governments are following suit. Regulatory sandboxes in Switzerland, Japan, and the UAE are actively enabling the tokenization of real-world assets through controlled experimentation and legal frameworks.
According to a report by BCG and ADDX, tokenization could unlock up to $16 trillion in value by 2030, ushering in a new era of programmable, fractional, and globally tradable financial instruments.
As regulators catch up with innovation, the next chapter of blockchain will be shaped by how well legal systems evolve to accommodate new paradigms—from AI-augmented smart contracts to tokenized economies that span continents. Clarity, interoperability, and compliance will be the pillars driving global adoption.
