In the evolving landscape of finance and technology, the convergence of innovation and disruption continues to reshape how capital moves across global markets. During Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Lawrence Wintermeyer of FintechTV spoke with Ritesh Kakkad, founder of XDC Networks, about the company’s role in modernizing financial infrastructure and digitizing traditionally complex financial processes.
XDC Networks provides specialized infrastructure designed to digitize credit markets and invoice financing. Kakkad explained that while the first major wave of fintech focused on digitizing money itself, the industry has since progressed toward making money programmable. This evolution enables the tokenization of real-world assets, including commodities such as gold and silver, as well as financial instruments like bonds. By extending this capability to invoices and credit, XDC Networks is helping modernize segments of finance that have long relied on manual and paper-based systems.
Two major trends emerged from the discussion regarding the direction of the financial ecosystem. First, Kakkad emphasized the growing role of stablecoins as a settlement layer for both digital and real-world assets. As global commerce increasingly depends on faster and more reliable cross-border transactions, stablecoins are becoming a foundational component of modern financial infrastructure. Second, the tokenization of real-world assets is opening new pathways for ownership, liquidity, and investment access that were previously difficult to achieve.
Kakkad also highlighted the regulatory environment fostered by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which has positioned itself as a leader in digital asset regulation since 2019. He noted that clear regulatory frameworks are essential for building trust, encouraging innovation, and supporting sustainable growth within the fintech sector. ADGM’s focus on transparency and digitization has helped attract a global community of investors, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions looking to operate within a well-defined regulatory structure.
The energy at Abu Dhabi Finance Week reflected broader shifts underway in the global financial system. Kakkad pointed to discussions centered on digital transformation, remittances, and cross-border payments, underscoring the importance of international collaboration. These conversations highlighted how financial infrastructure is increasingly being redesigned to support seamless movement of money and assets across jurisdictions.
As blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and sustainability investing continue to evolve, leaders like Ritesh Kakkad and platforms such as XDC Networks demonstrate how targeted innovation can drive meaningful change. By prioritizing the digitization of real-world assets and the adoption of stablecoins, XDC Networks is contributing to a more accessible, programmable, and efficient financial system. These efforts align with broader objectives, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, by promoting transparency, inclusion, and efficiency in global finance.
The insights shared at Abu Dhabi Finance Week reinforce how asset tokenization and blockchain infrastructure are redefining financial markets. As these technologies mature, they are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors while guiding the financial industry toward a more inclusive and sustainable future.