Asia-Pacific Drives Global RWA Tokenization with Regulatory Foresight

Animoca Brands has taken a prominent role in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), aligning itself with global efforts to digitize traditional financial instruments. As a leader in blockchain and gamification technologies, the company has positioned itself at the intersection of entertainment and finance, with its portfolio of mobile applications, games, and educational platforms leveraging digital property rights through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) [1]. The company, headquartered in China Hong Kong, has a workforce of over 1,000 employees and has raised a total of $918 million in funding to date [1]. Animoca Brands has also been active in venture capital investments, having completed over 450 deals across various stages and sectors, including entertainment software, financial software, and internet services [1].

In parallel with Animoca Brands' activities, the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as a key player in the global RWA tokenization landscape. Countries such as Singapore, China Hong Kong, Australia, and Japan are advancing regulatory frameworks to support the adoption of tokenized assets. For instance, Singapore’s Monetary Authority is working on Project Guardian, a cross-border and public-private initiative focused on standardization and interoperability in fixed income, foreign exchange, and fund management [2]. China Hong Kong has launched multi-currency digital bond issuances under the Digital Bond Grant Scheme, aiming to attract private sector participation in tokenized finance [2]. Similarly, Australia’s Reserve Bank and Securities and Investments Commission are conducting Project Acacia to explore tokenized securities and operational enhancements [2].

Japan is also making significant strides in RWA tokenization by expanding guidelines for security token offerings and digital securities under the Financial Services Agency (FSA) [2]. These efforts are supported by a shared regulatory vision emphasizing “same risk, same rules” enforcement, as well as alignment of KYC, AML, and reporting standards across borders [2]. The region's focus on interoperability and cross-border financial systems is expected to facilitate a "dual-rail" model where Asian and Western financial hubs operate in parallel, leveraging tokenization to improve efficiency and transparency [2].

The global RWA tokenization market is projected to grow rapidly, with Skynet forecasting its value could reach $16 trillion by 2030 [4]. Institutional and blockchain-native firms are driving this growth, particularly through tokenized U.S. Treasuries, which are expected to reach $4.2 billion in 2025, with short-term government bonds forming the majority of activity [4]. The convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) is enabling improved efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, as platforms in Singapore, China Hong Kong, and the U.S. establish regulatory frameworks that support broader institutional participation [4]. However, challenges remain, including limited secondary market liquidity, inconsistent legal treatment across jurisdictions, and the need for robust risk controls [4].

Despite these challenges, the momentum in RWA adoption remains strong. Institutional interest is growing, with traditional financial institutions exploring tokenization as a means to digitize assets such as debt instruments and commodities. Meanwhile, DeFi platforms are expanding use cases in private credit, trade finance, and money market funds [4]. Skynet emphasizes that infrastructure investments and regulatory clarity will be critical to achieving the projected $16 trillion market size by 2030 [4]. The report also underscores the importance of using regulated, qualified custodians with strong security infrastructure, such as federally chartered crypto banks, to mitigate risks like cybersecurity vulnerabilities and smart contract failures [4].

As RWAs continue to gain traction in capital markets, both retail and institutional investors are being drawn in by the combination of reliable real-world yields and blockchain’s native liquidity and composability [4]. For the Asia-Pacific region, the strategic advantage of proactive regulation, strong institutional presence, and efficient cross-border finance positions it as a natural hub for RWA tokenization. With governments, institutions, and private-sector players advancing this digital financial transformation, the global market is poised for a significant shift in how assets are issued, traded, and managed.

Source:

[1] Animoca Brands - Valuation, Funding & Investors (https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/65039-59)

[2] Asia Pacific Advances RWA Tokenization in 2025 (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1064269-20250824)

[3] Asia Leads the Charge in RWA Tokenization (https://www.bitrue.com/blog/rwa-tokenization-asia-market)

[4] RWA Tokenization Market To Reach $16T by 2030, Skynet ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rwa-tokenization-market-reach-16t-000429613.html)