Tokenized Gold on XRP Ledger: A Game-Changer for DeFi and Asset Tokenization

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has emerged as a transformative force in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), with gold tokenization poised to redefine institutional-grade DeFi and cross-border finance. By late 2025, tokenized assets on XRPL reached $394.6 million, driven by regulatory clarity, institutional partnerships, and technical innovations like the MPTokensV1 amendment. This growth trajectory, coupled with the integration of tokenized gold, positions XRPL as a strategic investment opportunity in the evolving blockchain ecosystem.

The XRP Ledger's Rise in Asset Tokenization

XRPL's appeal lies in its technical advantages: sub-second settlement times, low transaction fees, and energy efficiency. These attributes have attracted institutional players seeking scalable infrastructure for tokenizing commodities, stablecoins, and treasuries. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin, with a $1.3 billion market cap, has become a cornerstone of liquidity on the network. Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger Lending Protocol-a native DeFi innovation- enables uncollateralized fixed-term loans, opening doors to yield farming and escrow services.

Regulatory milestones, such as the August 2025 SEC resolution, confirming XRP is not a security, have further accelerated adoption. This clarity has spurred $1.3 billion in inflows to XRP ETFs within 50 days of their November 2025 launch, signaling growing institutional confidence.

Tokenized Gold: A New Frontier for XRPL

Gold tokenization on XRPL is gaining momentum, with Meld Gold leading the charge. In Q3 2024, Meld launched tokenized gold and silver on the ledger, with each token representing one gram of physical metal held by custodians like MKS Pamp and Imperial Vaults. This initiative addresses critical gaps in the precious metals market, offering real-time settlements and programmable asset utility.

The potential for tokenized gold on XRPL extends beyond Meld. Industry experts predict that tokenized gold will become a major use case for the ledger, leveraging its fast, 24/7 accessible infrastructure. Pinnacle, another industry player, has also explored tokenized gold's potential, highlighting XRPL's growing appeal for institutional-grade asset tokenization.

Institutional Partnerships and Market Dynamics

Strategic collaborations are amplifying XRPL's reach. Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road and its partnership with Archax have created robust settlement and custody frameworks, enabling $1 billion in tokenized assets to be brought on-chain by mid-2026. SBI Ripple Asia and Doppler Finance are further developing yield infrastructure for XRP, targeting a billion-dollar yield stream without relying on smart contract staking. These efforts aim to make XRP "productive" within regulated custody environments, addressing market gaps in yield generation.

Despite XRP's 13% price decline in 2025, macroeconomic headwinds and competition from faster blockchains have not dampened institutional interest. By early 2026, XRP rebounded 25% in a week, driven by ETF inflows and regulatory progress. The ledger's TVL of $64.4 million in late 2025 pales compared to Ethereum's dominance, but its growth rate-2,200% in tokenized assets-signals untapped potential.

Strategic Investment Considerations

For investors, the XRP Ledger's gold tokenization ecosystem presents a compelling case. Key factors include:
1. Regulatory Tailwinds: Post-SEC clarity has removed legal barriers, enabling institutions to tokenize assets without compliance risks.
2. Institutional Liquidity: Partnerships with custodians like BNY Mellon and BBVA enhance trust and scalability.
3. Technical Superiority: XRPL's hybrid AMM model and CLOB-based DEX mitigate impermanent loss, offering optimized trade execution.
4. Market Expansion: With Archax targeting $1 billion in on-chain assets by mid-2026, the total value of tokenized assets could reach $2–3 billion if secondary issuers follow.

Conclusion

Tokenized gold on the XRP Ledger represents a convergence of DeFi innovation, institutional adoption, and regulatory progress. As Meld Gold and other projects demonstrate, XRPL's infrastructure is uniquely positioned to tokenize high-value assets like gold, bridging traditional finance and blockchain. For investors, this represents a strategic opportunity to capitalize on a nascent but rapidly scaling market, with potential for exponential growth as institutional participation intensifies in 2026.