The tokenized asset market surged by 40%: new frontiers and structural shifts
Since the beginning of this year, the sector of tokenized real-world assets (RWA) has demonstrated impressive growth of 40%, reaching $51 billion. This trend is particularly notable against the backdrop of a general correction in cryptocurrency markets, indicating growing interest from institutional and retail investors in the tokenization of traditional assets.
The number of holders of such tokens has increased by 60%, exceeding 917,000 unique addresses. The leaders in terms of locked asset volume remain the platforms Figure ($18.9 billion) and Securitize ($4.3 billion), which continue to dominate the infrastructure niche.
Market Structure and Dynamics
The main share of RWA is occupied by three key segments: private credit (47%), U.S. Treasury bonds (30%), and precious metals (9%). At the same time, the highest activity is concentrated in two blockchain networks: Provenance (39%) and Ethereum (33%). The segment of tokenized equities has shown explosive growth — 130% over the past six months, reaching $1.6 billion.
Analysts highlight three main approaches to tokenization:
- Infrastructure for trading. Brokers, such as Robinhood, acquire shares and hold them as collateral for tokens, enabling round-the-clock trading but without transferring voting rights to holders.
- Settlement layer. Blockchain replaces traditional accounting systems. Projects Figure and Securitize create regulated stacks where investors receive full ownership rights.
- Hybrid model. Coinbase offers an "exchange for everything," combining tokens for equities, derivatives, and crypto assets for users outside the U.S.
Regulatory Prospects
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 could be an "innovation exemption" that would allow trading such assets within the U.S. The monthly transaction volume in the tokenized equities segment reached $5.3 billion in June, compared to just $500 million in September last year — a more than tenfold increase.
My expert commentary: A 40% growth amid a market correction is a strong signal. Tokenization of real-world assets is becoming not just a trend but a fundamental shift in financial infrastructure. However, the key barrier remains regulation: if the SEC grants an "innovation exemption," we could see explosive growth to $100 billion within the next 12 months. Without it, the market may face fragmentation and legal risks.