Bitcoin News Today: Utility Over Hype: RWAs and Stablecoins Power $30B Financial Shift

Bybit's CEO, Ben Zhou, emphasized the transformative role of real-world assets (RWAs) and stablecoins in reshaping the global financial system during a keynote at the Blockchain for Good Alliance summit in Singapore. Zhou highlighted the shift from speculative crypto markets to utility-driven applications, citing the RWA sector's explosive growth and stablecoins' integration into mainstream finance as key drivers. The RWA market, which tokenizes tangible assets like private credit and U.S. Treasuries, expanded 400% between 2022 and 2025, reaching $30 billion in valuation. Private credit and U.S. Treasuries accounted for 49% of this growth, with $14.7 billion and $7.3 billion respectively. Zhou attributed this surge to regulatory clarity in the U.S. and the entry of institutional players like BlackRock and JPMorgan, as well as forward-looking estimates from McKinsey and Standard Chartered, which project tokenized assets could reach $4 trillion to $30 trillion over the next decade .

Stablecoins, meanwhile, have become a cornerstone of on-chain transactions, with a market capitalization exceeding $300 billion as of September 2025. Cross-border payments via stablecoins grew over 1,000% in the first half of 2025, driven by blockchain-based settlement solutions adopted by financial institutions. Zhou noted the growing adoption of stablecoins by payment giants like Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal, which are integrating them into their global networks. This shift, he argued, reflects a fundamental redefinition of how money is transferred globally, particularly as companies serving hundreds of millions of users embrace blockchain technology .

Bybit is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain ecosystems. The exchange launched a dedicated B2B unit for enterprise clients and partnered with QNB Group, DMZ Finance, and Standard Chartered to accept a DFSA-approved tokenized money market fund as collateral. Additionally, Bybit expanded USDC adoption through a revenue-sharing partnership with Circle and introduced gold tokenization on the TON blockchain. These initiatives align with Zhou's vision of leveraging blockchain to enhance transparency and efficiency in global finance, rather than replacing traditional systems .

The RWA sector's growth is further supported by U.S. regulatory developments, including the SEC's May 2025 guidance on cryptocurrency staking, which industry leaders view as a step toward "more sensible regulation." While RWAs remain unregulated as securities, broader crypto regulatory clarity has spurred innovation. For instance, the tokenization of U.S. Treasury debt and private credit has attracted institutional capital, with McKinsey forecasting tokenized assets could dominate trillions in value within a decade .

Zhou also underscored the importance of stablecoins in stabilizing the crypto market. With over 124 public companies now holding Bitcoin on their balance sheets, stablecoins serve as a predictable yield asset amid Bitcoin's price volatility. This trend is part of a broader corporate "fear of missing out" (FOMO) on crypto treasury diversification, with companies allocating capital to Bitcoin and stablecoins as part of long-term balance sheet strategies .

Looking ahead, Bybit's strategic focus remains on expanding RWA offerings and enhancing stablecoin infrastructure. Zhou emphasized that the future of finance lies in integrating blockchain technology with traditional systems, enabling a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem. As regulatory frameworks evolve and institutional adoption accelerates, Bybit aims to lead the transition from speculative markets to real-world utility, positioning itself as a critical player in the next phase of digital finance .