Blockchain Bridges to Gold and Treasuries: The $28B RWA Revolution Unfolds

Taiko, a leading real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform, recently showcased its innovative solutions at a luxury cultural event in Seoul, drawing attention to the growing trend of digitizing tangible assets. The event highlighted Taiko’s ability to bridge traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) by enabling the tokenization of high-value real-world assets, such as real estate, commodities, and corporate securities. This development aligns with broader market momentum, as RWA tokenization continues to gain traction among both institutional and retail investors.

The RWA market has seen explosive growth in 2025, with total on-chain RWA value reaching $28.44 billion as of September 2025, according to data from RWA.xyz. Ethereum remains the dominant network for RWA tokenization, holding 52.56% of the market share with $8.36 billion in total value. ZKsync Era, Polygon, and Solana also contribute significantly to the ecosystem, reflecting the expanding infrastructure supporting RWA adoption. Meanwhile, tokenized U.S. Treasuries and commodities—such as gold—continue to dominate the asset categories, underscoring investor demand for stable, yield-generating assets.

At the core of this growth are platforms like Ondo Finance, Stellar, and Centrifuge, which are leading the charge in tokenizing traditional assets. Ondo Finance, for example, has emerged as a top RWA platform with over $1.4 billion in total value locked (TVL), offering investors exposure to tokenized U.S. Treasuries, stocks, and ETFs. Stellar, with its focus on global payments and RWA tokenization, hosts major assets like Franklin Templeton’s BENJI fund, which is backed by U.S. Treasuries and has attracted substantial institutional interest. Centrifuge, another key player, has pioneered the use of NFTs to tokenize private credit and real estate, enabling on-chain collateralization and lending.

The growing institutional adoption of RWA tokens is a significant driver of this market expansion. Large financial institutions are increasingly leveraging tokenized assets to enhance liquidity, streamline settlement processes, and diversify their portfolios. For instance, BlackRock’s BUIDL token, which represents institutional-grade U.S. Treasury exposure, has a market value exceeding $2.4 billion. Similarly, Franklin Templeton’s BENJI fund, available on multiple chains, has attracted over 90 qualified U.S. investors, highlighting the appeal of tokenized alternatives to traditional investment vehicles.

Regulatory developments have also played a crucial role in fostering RWA growth. As jurisdictions like the U.S., European Union, and several Asian countries refine their frameworks, they are creating a more favorable environment for RWA issuance and trading. Projects are increasingly incorporating compliance mechanisms to ensure adherence to securities laws and investor protection standards. This shift is making RWA tokens more accessible to accredited and institutional investors while setting the stage for broader retail adoption in the future.

Blockchain technology further amplifies the potential of RWA tokens by offering enhanced transparency, faster settlement times, and reduced transaction costs. These advantages are particularly evident in markets like real estate and private credit, where traditional processes are often slow and opaque. By enabling fractional ownership and 24/7 trading, RWA platforms are democratizing access to high-value assets, making it easier for a wider range of investors to participate in markets that were previously out of reach.

Looking ahead, the RWA market is projected to continue its rapid expansion. Citigroup estimates that the tokenization of real-world assets could reach up to $4 trillion by 2030, with corporate and government debt accounting for a significant portion of this growth. McKinsey & Co. shares a similar outlook, forecasting the sector to grow to between $2 trillion and $4 trillion by 2030, driven primarily by cash, deposits, bonds, and securitized assets. These projections reflect the transformative potential of RWA tokenization, which could redefine traditional finance by merging it with the efficiency and innovation of blockchain.

For investors, the RWA space offers both opportunities and risks. On one hand, tokenized assets provide diversified exposure to traditional markets with enhanced liquidity and yield potential. On the other, they require careful due diligence to navigate counterparty risks, regulatory uncertainties, and smart contract vulnerabilities. Investors are advised to start small, diversify across asset classes, and use secure wallets and reputable custodians to mitigate these challenges.

Taiko’s participation in the Seoul event exemplifies the increasing recognition of RWA tokenization as a key innovation in the financial sector. By leveraging blockchain to digitize real-world assets, platforms like Taiko are not only enhancing access and efficiency but also paving the way for a more inclusive and interconnected financial ecosystem. As the market continues to evolve, the integration of RWA into mainstream finance is likely to accelerate, driven by technological advancements, regulatory clarity, and growing investor demand.

Source:

[1] RWA Value chart (RWA xyz)

[2] Tokenized Treasuries chart (RWA xyz)

[3] Tokenization Opportunity Diagram (Citigroup)

[4] Tokenization Industry Outlook (McKinsey)