The tokenized asset market surged by 40%: market capitalization reached $51 billion, and the number of holders exceeded 900,000.
The sector of tokenized real-world assets (RWA) is demonstrating impressive growth despite the overall correction in the crypto market. Since the beginning of the year, the total capitalization of this segment has increased by 40%, reaching $51 billion. This confirms a steady trend toward institutional adoption of blockchain technologies in traditional financial instruments.
The number of unique holders of RWA tokens has grown by 60%, exceeding 917,000. The leaders in terms of locked asset volume remain the Figure platform with $18.9 billion and Securitize, managing $4.3 billion in assets. These figures indicate the maturity of the infrastructure and growing trust from large investors.
Market Structure and Dynamics
The RWA market is based on three key segments: private lending accounts for 47% of the total volume, US Treasury bonds for 30%, and precious metals for 9%. The most active networks are Provenance (39% of all activity) and Ethereum (33%).
Particular attention should be paid to the tokenized equities segment, which has grown by 130% over the past six months to $1.6 billion. This is the fastest-growing RWA sector, and I expect this trend to intensify as new regulated platforms emerge.
Three Tokenization Models
Analysts identify three approaches to equity tokenization. The first is the infrastructure model, where brokers like Robinhood buy shares and issue tokens backed by them, enabling 24/7 trading but without transferring voting rights. The second is the settlement layer, where blockchain replaces traditional accounting systems, and investors receive full ownership rights. The third is the hybrid model, proposed by Coinbase, which combines equity tokens, derivatives, and crypto assets for users outside the US.
Regulatory Horizon
The key factor for further growth will be the SEC's stance. The regulator has already approved pilot projects by NYSE and Nasdaq for trading tokenized securities. The so-called "innovation exemption," which would legalize trading such assets within the US, is expected to be a decisive catalyst. The monthly transaction volume in the tokenized equities segment has already reached $5.3 billion — for comparison, in September last year, this figure was only $500 million.
My professional opinion: The growth of the RWA sector is not a speculative bubble but a structural shift. Tokenization of real-world assets addresses fundamental issues of liquidity and accessibility in capital markets. I predict that by the end of the year, the capitalization of this segment could exceed $70 billion, especially if the SEC takes a decisive step toward legalization.