SmarterMarkets™

Arjun Murti, a Partner at Veriten and publisher of the Super-Spiked Substack, brings his deep expertise in energy markets to the discussion. He highlights three major themes for 2026: energy access, a power supercycle, and the convergence of tech and energy. Murti argues that electrification is accelerating due to security and affordability needs, emphasizing the importance of regional energy strategies. He also critiques the divisive peak demand narratives while advocating for depoliticized energy choices and investment opportunities in power infrastructure.

In this insightful discussion, Rob Dannenberg, a former senior CIA official with expertise in intelligence and geopolitical analysis, shares his perspectives on the current global landscape. He highlights how the Russian war in Ukraine marks a critical geopolitical inflection point, reshaping international relations. Rob also delves into the implications of the U.S. actions against Venezuela, the changing norms of great power behavior, and the resilience of Ukraine's defense strategies. As he looks ahead to 2026, he emphasizes the key factors that could influence global stability.

Join industry experts like Josh Crumb, CEO of ABEX Technologies, as he discusses gold's evolving role and integration into digital markets. Albert Cheng shares insights on Singapore's ambition to be a global bullion hub amid regional challenges. Leah Wald explains how digital titles enable instant ownership transfers, while Thom McMahon highlights generational shifts in gold investment. Sunil Kashyap explores gold as a safe haven in Asia, emphasizing cultural differences in asset trust. It's an enlightening discussion on the future of commodities and digital assets!

Peter Zaman, an expert in carbon frontiers, discusses the implications of international carbon markets and the Paris Agreement. Nobuo Tanaka sheds light on the evolution of global energy policies, balancing security and sustainability. Helima Croft analyzes the geopolitical dynamics affecting energy markets and potential sanctions. Rene Velasquez contrasts the turbulent voluntary carbon market with its compliance counterparts. Mark Lewis explains the shifting landscape of the EU ETS, while Hannah Hauman focuses on Article 6 and the emerging challenges of carbon credit management.

Walt Lukken, President & CEO of the FIA and former Acting Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, dives into the exciting world of tokenization in cleared derivatives. He shares insights on why it's gaining traction, the potential for 24/7 cash movement, and how tokenization could streamline settlement processes. Walt discusses the regulatory landscape for stablecoins and suggests money market funds as early candidates for tokenization. He emphasizes the importance of international standards and the transformative analogy to electronic trading.

Leah Wald, Digital Title Lead at Abaxx Technologies, shares her unique journey from founding Valkyrie Investments to navigating DeFi and traditional finance. She discusses the challenges and promises of tokenization, particularly in light of past failures. Leah highlights Abaxx's innovative approach to digital title transfers, enabling instant ownership with retained yield. The conversation dives into regulatory shifts, the complexities of money market fund tokenization, and how these concepts will reshape market structures. It's an insightful look at the future of finance!

In this discussion, Christopher Jensen, Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton, shares insights into the future of tokenization with their Benji platform for money market shares. He delves into the intricacies of making blockchain a reliable ownership record and the regulatory challenges faced in getting security token approval. Jensen contrasts Benji with stablecoins, highlights the importance of KYC in onboarding, and explores how on-chain assets could revolutionize wealth management. He also offers advice for investors entering the crypto space and discusses the dual strategy of building tokenized products while researching digital assets.

Julian Kwan, CEO of IXS and InvestaX, delves into the world of blockchain tokenization, sharing his journey from launching real estate crowdfunding in Asia to navigating the challenges of tokenizing real assets. He highlights the regulatory landscape in Singapore and contrasts TradFi with crypto perspectives. Kwan discusses the rising popularity of tokenized treasuries and the need for robust infrastructure in this space. He also predicts that tokenization will increasingly merge with DeFi, paving the way for innovative financial applications.

We continue our Re-engineering Tokenization series this week with Riley Hughes, Co-Founder & CEO at Trinsic. David Greely sits down with Riley to discuss how digital IDs are being used today; the need for a visa-like network for identity in order to move digital IDs more into the mainstream; and the opportunities that a wallet full of digital IDs and attestations will create for a future of more secure, private, and trusted digital interactions.

Carrie Jaquith, the Global Head of Digital Product at Abaxx Technologies, shares her expertise in digital title and tokenization. She discusses the essential factors for institutional tech adoption, emphasizing interoperability and auditability. Carrie explains the importance of fitting new tools into existing workflows without disruption. She advocates for augmenting PDFs with advanced features for trust and privacy, while also highlighting the role of humans in monitoring AI outputs during financial operations. Her insights guide a thoughtful approach to evolving technology.