The tokenized assets market (RWA) has reached $51 billion: 40% growth and a paradigm shift
The tokenized real-world assets (RWA) sector is showing steady growth despite the overall correction in the crypto market. Since the beginning of the year, its market capitalization has increased by 40%, reaching $51 billion. These are not just numbers — they signal a fundamental shift in the perception of blockchain as a tool for traditional finance.
The number of RWA token holders has soared by 60%, exceeding 917,000. The leaders in asset volume remain Figure ($18.9 billion) and Securitize ($4.3 billion). These projects set the tone in regulated infrastructure, where investors receive full ownership rights to tokenized securities.
Market Structure: Lending, Bonds, and Metals
The majority of RWA is divided into three segments: private lending (47%), U.S. Treasury bonds (30%), and precious metals (9%). Most activity is concentrated on the Provenance (39%) and Ethereum (33%) networks. However, the most impressive growth was shown by the tokenized equities segment — it increased by 130% over six months, reaching $1.6 billion.
Analysts highlight three main approaches to tokenization:
- Trading infrastructure. Brokers (e.g., Robinhood) buy shares and hold them as collateral for tokens. This allows 24/7 trading but does not transfer voting rights to the holder.
- Settlement layer. Blockchain replaces traditional accounting systems. Projects like Figure and Securitize create regulated stacks where investors receive full ownership rights.
- Hybrid model. Coinbase offers an "exchange for everything," combining tokens for stocks, derivatives, and crypto assets for users outside the U.S.
Regulation and the Future
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 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. For comparison, in September last year, this figure was only $500 million. This is a tenfold increase in nine months — growth rates that cannot be ignored.
My opinion: The RWA sector is not just hype but a real bridge between TradFi and DeFi. If regulators continue to soften their stance, we will see explosive growth in tokenized equities, which could surpass even current figures. Investors should look at projects that already have licenses and operate within the law — they will be the beneficiaries of the next cycle.