Flevy Management Insights Q&A
How are advancements in blockchain technology affecting market sizing for financial services?
     David Tang    |    Market Sizing


This article provides a detailed response to: How are advancements in blockchain technology affecting market sizing for financial services? For a comprehensive understanding of Market Sizing, we also include relevant case studies for further reading and links to Market Sizing best practice resources.

TLDR Blockchain technology is reshaping the financial services landscape by revolutionizing payment systems, expanding asset management, and securities trading, necessitating Strategic Planning and Operational Excellence for organizations.

Reading time: 5 minutes

Before we begin, let's review some important management concepts, as they related to this question.

What does Strategic Planning mean?
What does Operational Excellence mean?
What does Risk Management mean?
What does Talent Management mean?


Advancements in blockchain technology are significantly reshaping the landscape of financial services, impacting everything from payment systems to asset management, and consequently affecting market sizing. As blockchain technology matures, its applications within the financial sector are expanding, leading to shifts in market dynamics, competitive advantages, and strategic planning for organizations. Understanding these changes is crucial for C-level executives aiming to navigate their organizations through the evolving financial services landscape.

Impact on Payment Systems and Remittances

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing payment systems by enabling faster, more secure, and cost-effective transactions. Traditional banking transactions, which can take days to clear and settle, especially across borders, are being challenged by blockchain's promise of instantaneous settlements. This has significant implications for market sizing in financial services, particularly in the remittance market, where blockchain can dramatically reduce costs and increase efficiency. For instance, according to a report by Deloitte, blockchain technology has the potential to reduce transaction costs by 40% to 80% in cross-border payments, signaling a substantial shift in the revenue model and market size of traditional remittance services. This shift not only affects the bottom line of existing financial service providers but also opens the market to new entrants who leverage blockchain technology to offer competitive alternatives.

Moreover, the rise of cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange has introduced a new asset class, further expanding the market. Financial institutions are increasingly offering cryptocurrency-related services, including trading, custody, and asset management, responding to growing demand from both retail and institutional investors. This expansion requires organizations to rethink their service offerings and market strategies to cater to a broader range of financial products and services.

Real-world examples of blockchain's impact on payment systems include Ripple's payment network, which offers real-time cross-border financial transactions, and J.P. Morgan's JPM Coin, designed to facilitate instantaneous payment transfers between institutional accounts. These initiatives highlight the growing acceptance and integration of blockchain technology in traditional financial services, underscoring the need for strategic planning to address these market shifts.

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Disruption in Asset Management and Securities Trading

Blockchain technology is also transforming the asset management and securities trading sectors by introducing efficiencies and transparency that were previously unattainable. The tokenization of assets, enabled by blockchain, allows for the fractional ownership of real-world assets like real estate or art, opening up new investment opportunities and expanding the market size. According to PwC, the global asset and wealth management industry is poised to embrace blockchain, with the potential to manage up to 10% of global GDP by 2025. This represents a significant market expansion, driven by blockchain's ability to democratize access to investment opportunities and streamline operations.

Furthermore, blockchain facilitates the creation and trading of digital securities, which can automate compliance, reduce intermediaries, and increase market efficiency. This not only lowers the barrier to entry for new participants but also challenges existing market structures and revenue models within the financial services industry. Organizations must adapt to these changes by developing new capabilities, such as digital asset custody and blockchain-based trading platforms, to remain competitive.

Examples of blockchain's impact on asset management and securities trading include platforms like Polymath, which simplifies the legal process of creating and selling security tokens, and tZERO, which offers a regulated trading platform for digital securities. These innovations illustrate the potential for blockchain to disrupt traditional market practices and create new opportunities for growth and differentiation.

Strategic Implications for Financial Services Organizations

The advancements in blockchain technology present both challenges and opportunities for financial services organizations. To capitalize on these opportunities, organizations must engage in Strategic Planning to integrate blockchain into their service offerings and operations. This involves not only technological adoption but also a shift in mindset to embrace innovation, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with fintech startups.

Operational Excellence must be pursued to leverage blockchain's efficiency gains, while Risk Management strategies need to address the regulatory uncertainties and cybersecurity risks associated with digital transactions. Furthermore, organizations must focus on Talent Management to acquire or develop the necessary skills for blockchain implementation and innovation.

In conclusion, the impact of blockchain technology on market sizing for financial services is profound, requiring organizations to adapt and innovate. By understanding these market shifts and responding strategically, financial services organizations can position themselves to thrive in the new landscape shaped by blockchain technology.

Best Practices in Market Sizing

Here are best practices relevant to Market Sizing from the Flevy Marketplace. View all our Market Sizing materials here.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Explore all of our best practices in: Market Sizing

Market Sizing Case Studies

For a practical understanding of Market Sizing, take a look at these case studies.

Market Sizing Strategy for Renewable Energy Firm in Solar Sector

Scenario: A renewable energy company specializing in solar power is struggling to accurately size and forecast its market potential.

Read Full Case Study

Market Sizing for Specialty Crop Protection in Agriculture

Scenario: A firm in the agricultural sector specializes in producing crop protection chemicals for specialty crops.

Read Full Case Study

Market Sizing Strategy for Agritech Firm in Precision Farming

Scenario: The organization is a player in the precision agriculture technology sector, facing the challenge of accurately sizing its addressable market to align investment with growth opportunities.

Read Full Case Study

Luxury Brand Market Sizing in Asia-Pacific

Scenario: A luxury fashion firm headquartered in Europe is facing a challenge with its expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Read Full Case Study

Market Sizing Strategy for Biotech Firm in Life Sciences

Scenario: A mid-sized biotech firm is seeking to expand its footprint in the life sciences industry.

Read Full Case Study

Autonomous Fleet Expansion Strategy for Transportation Firm

Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized player in the autonomous commercial transportation sector, experiencing a plateau in growth due to an unclear understanding of market potential and size.

Read Full Case Study

Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies

Related Questions

Here are our additional questions you may be interested in.

In what ways can market sizing impact a company's approach to sustainability and ESG initiatives?
Market sizing informs Strategic Planning for sustainability and ESG initiatives by identifying growth opportunities, guiding resource allocation, and enhancing brand value through alignment with consumer sustainability expectations. [Read full explanation]
How is the increasing importance of data privacy regulations affecting market sizing methodologies?
Data privacy regulations are significantly impacting market sizing methodologies, necessitating a shift towards privacy-centric data collection, analysis, and Strategic Planning, while also introducing new opportunities for differentiation and market expansion. [Read full explanation]
How can market sizing help in forecasting demand for a product in emerging markets?
Market sizing equips organizations with insights for Strategic Planning, precise Segmentation and Targeting, and adaptation to local conditions, crucial for forecasting demand in emerging markets. [Read full explanation]
What strategies can businesses employ to continuously update their market sizing estimates in rapidly changing industries?
Businesses can maintain competitive edge in rapidly changing industries by employing Real-time Data Analytics, leveraging Crowdsourced Data and Predictive Analytics, and adopting Scenario Planning to continuously update market sizing estimates. [Read full explanation]
What are the key factors to consider when sizing a market for a disruptive technology?
Sizing a market for disruptive technology requires analyzing Target Market characteristics, estimating Market Demand through research and price sensitivity, and understanding the Competitive Landscape, including SWOT analysis and strategic partnerships. [Read full explanation]
How can companies leverage market sizing to identify and mitigate risks in new market entry?
Market Sizing enables organizations to mitigate new market entry risks through comprehensive analysis of Market Demand, Customer Segmentation, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Positioning, and Financial Analysis, guiding informed decision-making and strategy adaptation. [Read full explanation]

Source: Executive Q&A: Market Sizing Questions, Flevy Management Insights, 2024


Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials



Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.