Crypto.com Exchange’s Managing Director: Institutions Are Moving Beyond Bitcoin to Rewire Finance On-Chain
Institutional crypto adoption is entering a new phase, defined less by passive exposure and more by direct participation in on-chain market formation, tokenized assets, and real-time settlement infrastructure. In an interview, the new Managing Director of Crypto.com Exchange, Iskandar Vanblarcum, discussed the forces driving this shift, the barriers still holding institutions back, and why real-world assets (RWAs), collateral utility, and regulated prediction markets could reshape global finance.
Vanblarcum noted that over the past 12–18 months, institutional attitudes have changed significantly due to industry maturation and focused regulation. Institutions now recognize the value of blockchain technology for reducing friction, enabling faster settlement, 24/7 access, deep liquidity, and ultra-low-latency infrastructure. He described a structural integration where institutions move from passive price exposure to actively using decentralized infrastructure, such as integrating tokenized real-world assets like BlackRock’s BUIDL as active trading collateral, adopting real-time blockchain settlement networks like Lynq for capital efficiency, and using blockchain rails for cross-border payments.
Barriers to larger institutional involvement include fragmented global regulatory frameworks, legal classification of products, and the need for specialized infrastructure to manage compliance and security. Vanblarcum emphasized that institutions demand high regulatory standards, security, and compliance frameworks.
Regarding tokenized RWAs, the Crypto.com Exchange is focusing on offerings like BUIDL-as-collateral and plans to expand into perpetual markets on real-world exposures such as equities, commodities, metals, and pre-IPO names, all available 24/7 on-chain. Vanblarcum stated that the Exchange aims to offer a combination of compliant products, security, robust infrastructure, custody services, and global banking partnerships. He believes all asset classes will progressively be tokenized, resolving legacy inefficiencies.
The integration of BlackRock’s BUIDL as collateral for margin trading was described as a landmark moment, signaling convergence of traditional finance and digital assets. Vanblarcum called it a blueprint for merging TradFi asset issuers with regulated crypto platforms and decentralized on-chain access.
Finally, expanding regulated prediction markets and event contracts is a key priority. Vanblarcum compared the current state of prediction markets to derivatives in the 1980s, noting that institutions are looking for regulated, secure platforms to access these contracts. The Crypto.com Exchange, holding U.S. CFTC derivatives licenses, aims to offer compliant products, security, collateral, and custody services, making it attractive for institutions entering the event contracts space.