BlackRock Steps In Real World Interactions (RWIs) Protocol

Paul Taylor, a venture partner at BlackRock, has joined the advisory board of PairedWorld. This move coincides with PairedWorld’s successful closure of a $1.5 million funding round.

PairedWorld is renowned for its approach to enhancing real-world social interactions through blockchain technology.

BlackRock Advisor Focuses on Real World Interactions Initiative

PairedWorld has earned recognition for its model that rewards physical social engagement. This system aims to tackle digital addiction and loneliness, also providing new data avenues for consumer brands through Real World Interactions (RWIs).

“We’ve created the most fun and rewarding tool for people to connect in the real world since the disco era ignited a global movement of music and dance that brought communities together, celebrating life and culture en masse,” PairedWorld co-founder Raluca Cherciu said.

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Paul Taylor’s inclusion in PairedWorld’s board is expected to boost the protocol’s development significantly. His extensive expertise in fintech and blockchain aligns with PairedWorld’s mission.

Meanwhile, under CEO Larry Fink’s leadership, BlackRock is expanding its horizon. The asset management firm has shifted from traditional environment, social, and governance (ESG) labels to more specific investment categories.

These include climate, green, and transition funds. This strategic pivot is part of BlackRock’s effort to lead in the global market amidst a politicized environment surrounding ESG investing. The company’s climate transition funds have shown remarkable growth, drawing $13.9 billion in net flows last year.

BlackRock has indeed maintained a proactive approach in emerging sectors. This is highlighted by its foray into the tokenization of real-world assets.

“We have the technology to tokenize today. If you have a tokenized security and identity, the moment you buy or sell an instrument on a general ledger, that is all created together. You want to talk about issues around money laundering. This eliminates all corruption by having a tokenized system,” Fink explained.

Moreover, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust has been the fastest-growing spot Bitcoin ETF, amassing over $15 billion in inflows within three months of its launch.

Read more: What is The Impact of Real World Asset (RWA) Tokenization?

In addition to its blockchain ventures, BlackRock is extending its influence into new markets, including Saudi Arabia. Recently, BlackRock opened its first office in Riyadh, signaling a deep commitment to the Middle Eastern market. This expansion allows BlackRock to tap into the state-owned Public Investment Fund (PIF), which controls approximately $925 billion.