The market for tokenized real-world assets (RWA) surged by 40%, with market capitalization reaching $51 billion.
The sector of tokenized real-world assets (RWA) is demonstrating impressive growth despite the overall correction in the cryptocurrency market. Since the beginning of the year, its market capitalization has increased by 40%, reaching $51 billion. This trend confirms the growing interest of institutional and retail investors in the tokenization of traditional financial instruments.
A key driver of growth has been a 60% increase in the number of RWA token holders, now exceeding 917,000. The leaders in asset volume remain Figure ($18.9 billion) and Securitize ($4.3 billion), which continue to dominate this segment.
Market Structure and Liquidity
The main share of RWAs is occupied by three areas: private credit (47%), U.S. Treasury bonds (30%), and precious metals (9%). At the same time, most activity is concentrated in two blockchain networks — Provenance (39%) and Ethereum (33%). The segment of tokenized equities deserves special attention, having grown by 130% over six months to $1.6 billion. This indicates that the market is gradually transitioning from simple instruments to more complex and liquid assets.
Three Tokenization Models
Analysts have identified three main approaches to equity tokenization. The first is trading infrastructure: brokers like Robinhood buy shares and hold them as collateral for tokens, enabling 24/7 trading but not granting holders voting rights. The second is a settlement layer: blockchain replaces traditional accounting systems, with projects like Figure and Securitize creating regulated stacks with full ownership rights for investors. The third, hybrid approach is offered by Coinbase with its "exchange of everything" concept, combining tokens for stocks, derivatives, and crypto assets for users outside the U.S.
Regulation and Prospects
The further development of the industry directly depends on the SEC's stance. The regulator has already approved pilot projects by NYSE and Nasdaq for trading tokenized securities. A key stimulus, in my opinion, will be the "innovation exemption," which would allow trading such assets within the U.S. The monthly transaction volume in the tokenized equities segment reached $5.3 billion in June — for comparison, in September of last year, this figure was only $500 million.
Expert Opinion: The 40% growth of the RWA sector amid a correction is a clear signal that the tokenization of real-world assets is becoming not just a trend, but a fundamental shift in financial infrastructure. The 60% increase in the number of holders indicates mass adoption, and the tenfold growth in trading volumes of tokenized equities over six months suggests that investors are seeking new ways to diversify. However, regulation will remain the key factor: if the SEC continues to approve pilot projects, we could see explosive growth as early as 2025.