A New Frontier in Alternative Assets

As capital markets evolve, family offices, long known for their strategic and often contrarian investment approaches, are beginning to embrace blockchain-native structures like tokenized assets and Simple Agreements for Future Tokens (SAFTs). This shift is part of a broader move toward digital asset exposure, but with a growing focus on the structural mechanics behind them. These include earlier access, liquidity options, and differentiated yield profiles.

Why Family Offices Are Taking Interest

Unlike institutional investors with rigid mandates, family offices operate with more flexibility, allowing them to pursue high-risk, high-reward opportunities earlier in the innovation curve. The appeal of tokenized investments lies in several strategic advantages:

• • Early-stage Access: SAFTs allow investors to commit capital to blockchain projects before their tokens are publicly available.
  • Diversification: Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) such as real estate, art, and credit products can provide exposure to uncorrelated markets.
  • Liquidity Potential: While still nascent, secondary markets for tokens promise more agile portfolio rebalancing compared to traditional venture holdings.
  • Transparent Ownership: Blockchain infrastructure ensures traceability and programmable control features over tokenized holdings.

Understanding the SAFT Structure

A SAFT is a forward contract used by blockchain projects to raise capital while delaying the issuance of a token until it’s deemed functional or compliant with securities regulations. For family offices, this model presents a calculated entry point into high-growth ecosystems with downside protection. Projects typically raise at discounted token valuations before network effects drive adoption.

“This is the first year we’ve seen family offices willing to make large SAFT investments,” says John Sarson, CEO of Sarson Funds. “They are beginning to understand that there isn’t, and likely never will be, any traditional equity in these disruptive tech projects.”

SAFTs offer innovative pathways for early investment in blockchain projects, with evolving regulatory clarity guiding their adoption. As the U.S. refines its framework, investors leveraging robust due diligence and compliance strategies can navigate this space effectively turning scrutiny into structured opportunity.

Growing Interest in Tokenization Platforms

Several family offices are not only investing in projects issuing tokens but are also backing tokenization infrastructure providers. These platforms tokenize private credit, venture capital portfolios, and luxury assets, allowing for fractional ownership and expanded access.

Digital-native firms and DAOs are increasingly seeking family offices as anchor investors in token-based raises, seeing them as both long-term capital partners and governance participants. In return, family offices gain more control, transparency, and potential liquidity than traditional venture structures typically allow.

Pioneering Smarter Pathways into Web3

Forward-thinking family offices are architecting innovative strategies to harness blockchain’s potential while maintaining prudent safeguards. The landscape is evolving beyond binary choices, with investors creatively blending traditional and tokenized approaches – pairing equity investments with token warrants or selecting revenue-sharing token models that align incentives.

This maturation reflects the natural progression of a transformative technology finding its place in institutional portfolios. Legal and compliance frameworks are keeping pace, developing sophisticated structures that protect investors while preserving access to Web3’s growth potential. The result is a new generation of hybrid investment vehicles that satisfy both innovation and fiduciary responsibility – proving that prudence and progress need not be opposing forces.

Conclusion

Tokenized investments and SAFTs are no longer fringe experiments. For forward-thinking family offices, they represent the next evolution of private market access, portfolio diversification, and long-term value creation. As infrastructure matures and regulatory clarity improves, token structures are poised to become a cornerstone of modern family office strategy.

Disclosures: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. It provides general information on cryptocurrency without accounting for individual circumstances. Sarson Funds, Inc. does not offer legal, tax, or accounting advice. Readers should consult qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and carry significant risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Sarson Funds, Inc. By using this information, you agree that Sarson Funds, Inc. is not liable for any losses or damages resulting from its use.