How blockchain is revolutionizing asset management beyond fax machines

Fifteen years ago, the industry ditched faxes for automation. Now, blockchain is redefining asset management—but can regulators keep up with the pace?

, and Administrator

2026 January 1 . 7:26 AM

1 min read

In this image, in the middle there are buildings, vehicles, train, street lights, poles, cables,... — In this image, in the middle there are buildings, vehicles, train, street lights, poles, cables, road, trees, windows, shops, sky and clouds.

How blockchain is revolutionizing asset management beyond fax machines

A push for automation in asset management has made steady progress over the past 15 years. What began as an effort to phase out fax machines has now evolved into advanced blockchain-based solutions. Recent collaborations between major financial firms show how technology is reshaping the industry—though regulators still play a key role in its success.

Back in 2009, industry players set out to modernise fund order processing by eliminating fax machines. The initial goal was to automate 80% of customer transactions, cutting down on manual work and speeding up operations. Standardisation became central to this shift.

By 2023, Deutsche Bank had already begun working with tech specialists to integrate digital assets into traditional banking. Their focus was on custody solutions and tokenisation, bridging the gap between old and new financial systems. Then, in January 2025, Alpha Beta Asset Management and F5 Crypto joined forces. Their partnership aimed to combine traditional asset management with blockchain technology, showing how far the sector had come. The project’s early success even led to raising the automation target from 80% to 90%. Cooperation between asset servicers in Ireland and Luxembourg proved essential in reaching this milestone. Despite these advances, industry leaders agree that broader collaboration—including input from regulators—remains critical. Without it, blockchain’s full potential in asset management may remain untapped.

The move from fax machines to blockchain highlights how technology is transforming asset management. Firms now spend more on innovation when regulatory hurdles ease, and cross-border teamwork has already delivered measurable results. Yet for blockchain to work smoothly across the sector, ongoing cooperation between companies and regulators will be necessary.