Securitize adds former IMF representative Sunil Sabharwal to board

Securitize has appointed Sunil Sabharwal to its board of directors as the tokenization firm moves ahead with expansion plans. 

The company said the appointment adds experience in global finance, payments, and public policy at a time when tokenized asset platforms are drawing more institutional attention.

Sabharwal is a business executive and investor with a background in payments and financial services. He also served as a Senate-confirmed U.S. representative to the International Monetary Fund from 2016 to 2018.

Securitize chief executive Carlos Domingo said Sabharwal brings experience from both the private and public sectors. Domingo said “Sunil’s career is defined by building and scaling financial infrastructure at a global level.”

He added that Sabharwal’s background in payments and international finance would support the company’s next phase of growth. Domingo said tokenization is moving from concept to market infrastructure, and that Sabharwal’s perspective would be useful as the firm expands.

Sabharwal currently serves on the boards of Thunes and TookiTaki. He also previously chaired payment companies Earthport and Ogone, which were later acquired by Visa and Ingenico.

His background includes work across payments, cross-border finance, and strategic growth. That track record gives Securitize a board member with experience in both financial infrastructure and regulated markets.

Sabharwal also received the U.S. Treasury’s Distinguished Service Award during his public service. He was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2016 and served mainly during President Donald Trump’s first term until 2018.

Since 2021, he has worked as an advisor and operating partner for the Blackstone Growth Equity Fund, according to LinkedIn. He also previously advised SpiceVC, an early backer of Securitize.

Securitize expands tokenized asset business

Securitize manages more than $4 billion in on-chain assets. Its platform supports tokenized products tied to firms including BlackRock, Apollo, BNY, Hamilton Lane, KKR, and VanEck.

Among its best-known products is BlackRock’s BUIDL fund. The company has positioned itself as one of the larger players in the tokenized real-world asset market as institutions explore blockchain-based fund structures.

The board appointment comes as the company continues to build out that business. It also comes as market participants pay closer attention to firms that offer tokenized versions of traditional financial products.

Public listing plan remains in focus

Securitize is also pursuing a public market listing through a merger with Cantor Equity Partners II, a Cantor Fitzgerald-sponsored firm. The companies entered into a definitive acquisition agreement in October.

The deal would value Securitize at $1 billion. The combined company is expected to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker CEPT.

The transaction would also give Securitize access to the $240 million raised by CEPT in its initial public offering. That planned listing remains a key part of the company’s growth strategy as it expands its presence in tokenized finance.