Copper demand in the age of electrification: New opportunities for tokenization

Global copper demand is at a crossroads. While the electrification of transportation, energy, and infrastructure drives demand to unprecedented heights, a critical supply gap is emerging at the same time. Experts predict that copper supply will peak by 2030—after which a structural shortage could develop, potentially gaining significant weight by 2040.

The Double Drivers: AI Infrastructure and Electrification

The two megatrends of the coming years will significantly intensify the copper appetite. Artificial intelligence requires massive data centers with energy-intensive copper wiring and cooling systems. At the same time, electrification—from electric vehicles to wind turbines and smart grids—accelerates copper consumption on a scale that far exceeds traditional mining capacities. A combustion engine vehicle needs about 10 kg of copper; modern electric vehicles can require double or triple that amount.

Blockchain Tokenization: The Metal Sector Update

While physical supply remains tight, a new dimension is opening in the crypto market. Platforms like NS3.AI are already experimenting with tokenized copper assets on blockchain infrastructure. These digital representations enable investors to trade commodities fractionally and benefit from rising demand—without physical storage management.

2026: The Turning Point for Digitized Commodities

Industry experts see this year as an inflection point: 2026 could be the year when commodity tokenization shifts from a niche project to an established investment category. The combination of urgent physical scarcity, technological maturity, and growing institutional interest creates ideal conditions. Electrification will not only determine demand—it will also redefine the geopolitics of resource supply.