STO Foundation names Raj Kapoor chief strategy advisor

The STO Foundation, also known as The Tokenized Asset Foundation, has appointed blockchain and AI leader Raj Kapoor as chief strategy advisor to help shape its global membership, regional expansion and regulatory strategy. The move is meant to strengthen the foundation’s role in tokenized capital markets as real-world asset tokenization gains momentum worldwide.

Why it matters: - The STO Foundation is betting on a well-connected industry veteran to help turn tokenized asset growth into a broader global membership and partnerships business. - Kapoor’s background in blockchain, artificial intelligence, policy and ecosystem building gives the foundation a direct link to markets and regulators across multiple regions. - The appointment signals that tokenized finance is moving from concept to operating model, with more focus on compliance, membership value and regional execution.

What happened: - The STO Foundation announced the appointment of Raj Kapoor as chief strategy advisor on August 24, 2026. - The foundation said Kapoor will guide long-term strategy, global membership, regional growth, institutional partnerships, regulatory engagement and programs tied to responsible real-world asset tokenization. - Kapoor will work with foundation leadership to position the organization as a global connector for issuers, investors, financial institutions, technology providers, regulators, universities and professional-service organizations.

The details: - Kapoor is the founder of the India Blockchain Alliance, which the foundation described as one of India’s largest emerging-technology industry organizations. - The India Blockchain Alliance brings together businesses, technology professionals, academic institutions, government stakeholders and ecosystem partners around blockchain and distributed-ledger adoption. - Kapoor built a membership model at the India Blockchain Alliance that includes participation tiers, corporate programs, university and campus tracks, educational initiatives and market-development materials. - Kapoor also serves as chairman of the Global Alliance for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation and the India AI Alliance. - Kapoor sits on advisory boards for more than 90 blockchain, artificial intelligence and technology companies worldwide, including Tata Elxsi, Adlunam, ZeroDots and AI Planet. - Kapoor’s experience includes government and policy work, blockchain standards, fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sustainability and digital public infrastructure. - Kapoor is a Certified Bitcoin Professional and Blockchain Solution Architect. - Kapoor has authored more than 20 courses on blockchain, financial technology, decentralized finance, digital assets and related technologies. - Kapoor’s educational materials have been used by organizations and learning platforms in India and internationally. - Kapoor is also an international speaker, writer and educator. - His work has appeared across business, financial and technology publications. - More information about Raj Kapoor’s professional background is available through his LinkedIn profile. - The foundation also identified Kapoor as the founder of the India Blockchain Alliance in its announcement.

Between the lines: - The appointment puts a relationship builder at the center of the foundation’s push into India, the Gulf and Africa. - Kapoor’s mix of policy experience and market-facing work suggests the foundation wants strategy that can work inside active regulatory frameworks, not just in theory. - The emphasis on universities, campus tracks and emerging-talent programs suggests a long-term effort to build a larger ecosystem around tokenized assets. - The reference to AI alongside tokenization points to a broader pitch around the infrastructure layer of digital finance, not just asset issuance.

What’s next: - Kapoor will help shape regional membership tiers and market-entry strategies. - The foundation expects him to support expansion in India, the Gulf region and Africa. - Kapoor will also focus on relationships with issuers, investors, financial institutions, tokenization platforms and infrastructure providers. - His advisory work will include policy-informed approaches, RWA research, white papers, industry frameworks, sustainability initiatives and practical programs around access, liquidity and compliance. - The foundation said Kapoor’s existing relationships with tokenization infrastructure and issuance platforms, including Zoniqx and Kula, could support new membership and partnership opportunities. - Kapoor’s work will also include helping connect artificial intelligence with tokenized market infrastructure.

The bottom line: - The STO Foundation is using Kapoor’s global network and policy experience to accelerate its push into tokenized finance as a cross-border, institution-friendly market.