XRP's Quiet Bet on the Future of Finance: Can Tokenization Finally Unlock Its Potential?

XRP's potential as a leader in the tokenization market has drawn attention from industry analysts and researchers, who highlight the growing importance of blockchain platforms capable of supporting real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Independent researcher SMQKE has cited multiple reports indicating the XRP Ledger (XRPL) could emerge as a key player in this rapidly expanding sector. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the tokenization market could reach up to $867 trillion, encompassing nearly all financial assets globally. Meanwhile, Boston Consulting Group estimates that $16 trillion of illiquid assets could be tokenized by 2030, representing roughly 10% of global GDP.

Currently, tokenized RWA on-chain totals $27.85 billion, having increased by 4.31% over the past 30 days. Despite this growth, XRPL holds only $308.7 million of the total, accounting for 1.94% and placing it tenth among blockchain platforms in RWA tokenization. However, industry experts point to ongoing institutional interest and technical strengths as potential catalysts for XRPL's future prominence. For instance, Chainlink’s August 2025 research note emphasized the importance of open, institution-ready platforms in tokenization, and SMQKE noted that such platforms could include the XRPL.

Technical capabilities of the XRPL have been highlighted as a major advantage in the tokenization space. A report from Charltons Quantum in August 2024 cited XRPL’s robust features, including automated market-making, decentralized identifiers, multi-purpose tokens, and native oracles. These tools, the analysis noted, make XRPL an ideal infrastructure for tokenizing RWA. This view is supported by the launch of OpenEden’s U.S. Treasury Bill tokens on the XRPL, backed by $75 million in total value locked and already attracting interest from corporate treasuries and institutional investors. OpenEden's co-founder Jeremy Ng described this development as a turning point in making tokenized Treasuries more accessible.

The growing interest in RWA tokenization is reflected in the broader market. In July 2025, the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP) listed XRPL alongside Ethereum and Solana as top players in building tokenization infrastructure. Additionally, the WEF’s May 2025 report on tokenization in financial markets cited the XRPL as an ideal platform, noting a $1 billion fund by Aurum Equity Partners combining private equity and debt on the network. Meanwhile, asset manager Bitwise suggested that investing in XRP, alongside Ethereum and other assets, could be one of the cleanest ways to gain exposure to the future of tokenization.

Despite these positives, XRP’s price movement remains constrained. While recent speculation around a potential XRP ETF approval has boosted short-term optimism, XRP’s performance has lagged behind the broader altcoin market. As of late August, XRP had remained flat while the altcoin market advanced by 14% over the same period. XRP’s most significant momentum came after the resolution of a long-standing legal dispute between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The anticipation of an XRP ETF approval—assigned a 95% probability by Bloomberg analysts—has been central to XRP’s price trajectory, though a final decision is not expected until late October.

XRP’s ability to reach the $3.60 level will depend not only on regulatory developments but also on the platform’s broader adoption. Although Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has crossed the $700 million asset threshold, nearly 90% of its supply is issued on the Ethereum network, offering limited direct demand for the XRP Ledger. With only 2% of RWA tokenization currently on XRPL, trailing behind blockchains like Avalanche and Solana, the path to long-term price appreciation appears challenging. Analysts emphasize that for XRP to sustain significant gains, the XRPL must expand its role in tokenization and secure a larger share of the RWA market.