Nouriel Roubini reverses anti-crypto stance, launches tokenized USAFi fund
Economist Nouriel Roubini, known for predicting the 2008 recession and long criticizing cryptocurrencies, has reversed his stance by co-authoring the whitepaper for USAFi—a tokenized digital security launched by Atlas Capital Team. USAFi is an ERC-20 token backed by the Atlas America Fund (an SEC-registered ETF holding U.S. Treasuries, gold, real estate, and commodities). Roubini now promotes this asset as a "Technodollar" reserve, issuing under Dubai’s VARA regulatory framework and using Securitize’s blockchain infrastructure.
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Nouriel Roubini Declares Death of Petrodollar, Backs AI-Backed 'Technodollar'
Economist Nouriel Roubini has declared the 'death of the petrodollar' and endorsed a new tokenized reserve asset called the 'Technodollar,' tied to US productive assets like AI, semiconductors, and defense. Speaking on the Expert Council podcast, Roubini argued that stablecoins fail to protect against inflation and debasement risks inherent in fiat currencies. The comments coincided with the launch of USAFi by Atlas Capital Team, a tokenized reserve asset issued in Dubai under the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority framework. USAFi is structured as a permissionless ERC-20 token, collateralized by the Atlas America Fund, an SEC-registered ETF listed on Nasdaq. Atlas partnered with Securitize to bring the asset on-chain, positioning it as a reserve asset for DeFi collateral. The move marks Roubini's first formal entry into digital assets after years as a prominent crypto critic.
Yahoo FinanceEconomist Nouriel Roubini Partners with Securitize for First Blockchain Venture Through USAFi Tokenized Asset
Economist Nouriel Roubini, a longtime cryptocurrency skeptic, has made his first major foray into blockchain-based finance by co-authoring the whitepaper for USAFi, a tokenized digital security issued under Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) framework. USAFi is backed by the Atlas America Fund, an SEC-registered ETF with reserve assets custodied by Bank of New York. The project will use Securitize's blockchain infrastructure for tokenization, creating what Atlas describes as the world's first regulated permissionless security in ERC-20 form. Roubini's participation marks a significant shift in sentiment as he now argues that this asset class differs from previous digital assets by being backed by real-world reserves including Treasuries, gold, commodities, and other strategic sectors. The launch reflects the growing trend of tokenizing traditional financial assets to bring institutional-grade collateral onto public blockchain networks.
Yahoo FinanceEconomist Nouriel Roubini Taps Securitize for First Blockchain Venture Through USAFi
Economist Nouriel Roubini, a longtime cryptocurrency skeptic, is making his first major blockchain move by co-authoring the whitepaper for USAFi, a tokenized digital security issued under Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) framework. USAFi is backed by the Atlas America Fund, an SEC-registered ETF with reserve assets custodied by Bank of New York. The project will use Securitize's technology platform for tokenization. Roubini's involvement marks a significant shift in sentiment, as he has historically criticized digital assets. The whitepaper outlines the 'Technodollar,' a digital reserve infrastructure built around US financial assets and AI. The security is structured as an ERC-20 token, aiming to provide regulated, permissionless trading with exposure to Treasuries, gold, commodities, defense, cybersecurity, and AI sectors.
Yahoo FinanceLongtime crypto critic Roubini co-authors Atlas whitepaper for digital reserve asset USAFi
Economist Nouriel Roubini, known for predicting the 2008 crisis and harshly criticizing Bitcoin and blockchain, has co-authored a whitepaper for USAFi, a digital security developed by Atlas Capital Team. USAFi is an ERC-20 token backed by the Atlas America Fund, an SEC-registered ETF on Nasdaq. The fund invests in U.S. Treasuries, gold, real estate, commodities, defense, cybersecurity, and AI-related industries. Roubini explains his change of heart by citing the product's backing by real assets rather than speculation, designed to hold value during market shocks. The token will launch in Q3 2026 under Dubai's VARA regulatory framework. Atlas frames USAFi as part of a 'Technodollar' thesis for the future of the U.S. dollar.
Yahoo FinanceEconomist who predicted 2008 recession walks back his biggest conviction
Economist Nouriel Roubini, known as 'Dr. Doom' for predicting the 2008 recession, has reversed his long-standing anti-crypto stance. Despite years of harsh criticism calling blockchain 'the most overhyped technology' and cryptocurrencies 'sh*tcoins,' Roubini is now launching a tokenized fund. On June 23, 2026, his firm Atlas Capital Team announced USAFi, a permissionless ERC-20 digital security backed by the Atlas America Fund (USAF), an ETF launched in November 2024 holding US Treasuries, gold, real estate, and agricultural commodities. Roubini co-authored the whitepaper for USAFi, arguing that unlike most digital assets, this token offers protection from trade wars, sanctions, and inflation through real asset backing. The move marks a significant pivot for the economist who previously decried blockchain as a tool of 'greed.'
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