Beware the Shiny New Chains

There’s a new buzzword flying around Wall Street: tokenization.

BlackRock’s Larry Fink calls it the “next generation for markets.” JPMorgan’s in the game. So is Fidelity. CNBC calls it the next trillion-dollar opportunity.

But here’s what they’re not telling you:

It’s a Trojan Horse.

This isn’t decentralization. It’s a tech upgrade. 

And the same empire that crashed the economy in 2008, profited from COVID bailouts, and printed you into poverty—they’re the ones driving this “innovation.”

They want you to think this is the future. But they’re just rebuilding the same old castle on a new digital foundation. And they’re still holding the keys.

What Tokenization Really Means

Tokenization, at its core, is simple: You take an asset—a house, a stock, a bond, an artwork—and create a digital representation of it on a blockchain.

The benefits? Sure, there are some:

  • Fractional ownership
  • Global access
  • 24/7 liquidity

It sounds revolutionary. But that’s only if you control the keys.

Wall Street’s version of tokenization? They control the tokens.
They pick who gets to buy. They determine when and where it can be traded. And they keep the backdoor wide open for censorship, surveillance, and deplatforming.

Meet the New Boss: It’s the Old Boss

When JPMorgan builds its own blockchain and calls it “decentralized,” don’t believe it for a second.

Private blockchains. KYC-controlled wallets. Permissioned nodes. All roads lead back to centralized gatekeepers.

This isn’t about freedom or inclusion. It’s about control.

And with CBDCs looming on the horizon, these tokenized systems could easily merge into a hyper-efficient tool for financial surveillance and social scoring.

They’ll tokenize your money, your ID, your assets—and then tokenize your access to society itself.

Decentralization Is the First Principle, Not an Afterthought

Let’s get one thing straight:

Decentralization isn’t optional. It’s foundational.

It means:

  • Open systems
  • Public infrastructure
  • Permissionless innovation
  • No single points of control

Tokenization is not inherently evil. But when it’s built by the same centralized players, it becomes a velvet cage. All flash, no freedom.

Bitcoin didn’t start as a user-friendly app. It started as a declaration of independence. If your tokenization platform doesn’t reflect that ethos, it’s not innovation—it’s regression.

What the Real Alternative Looks Like

Real tokenization must be:

  • Built on public chains like Bitcoin Layer 2+ or other credibly neutral protocols.
  • Governed by open-source code, not boardrooms.
  • Accessible to everyone, not just the “accredited.”
  • Integrated with DAOs and smart contracts that reflect community values.

Want to tokenize real estate, small businesses, or digital IP? Great.
But let citizens own it. Let communities govern it. Let the code enforce it.

Don’t let BlackRock dress up as Satoshi.

The Mission—Don’t Just Upgrade Tech. Upgrade Who Holds the Power

Tech is neutral. Power is not.

Wall Street wants you excited about tokenization because it makes their system faster, more profitable, and harder to escape.

But our mission isn’t to make Goldman Sachs more efficient. It’s to make Goldman Sachs irrelevant.

We don’t want faster transactions. We want fair systems.
We don’t want more access to their casino. We want to build our own economy.

One that honors the first principle of decentralization: The people, not the institutions, hold the keys.

Don’t Let the Empire Rebrand Itself as a Revolution

When empires collapse, they always try one last trick: rebranding.

Today, Wall Street is trying to rebrand dominion as disruption.

Don’t buy it.

Tokenization without decentralization is a trap.

The real revolution is open, permissionless, and built for us. Not them.

Let’s stop asking for a seat at their table.
Let’s build a new table.And this time, the people hold the keys.

MichaelHeadshot
Michael Hearne

I’m a serial entrepreneur, and I’ve spent the last 15 years taking companies to new levels, breaking the boundaries of innovation, and triumphing over adversity. My wife, Victoria, and I started our first business in a 2-bed/1-bath apartment with 4 kids, next to a crackhouse. We pushed through setbacks and failures to lift our family out of poverty. Along the way, I’ve learned that my struggles make me stronger. And that being the best version of me is the greatest contribution I can give to the world. It makes me a better husband, and father. It improves my health, energy, and my capacity to serve others. And it has allowed me to build businesses that make the world a better place. Today, I work for passion, to make a difference, and solve real problems in the real world through my business ventures. This little site is where I share the things I’ve learned, and am still learning, on my journey.