Zheng Zhigang's ALMAD Group and the Future of Web3 Infrastructure: Strategic Positioning in DeFi and Digital Asset Management

Zheng Zhigang, the former CEO of New World Development and scion of the Chow Tai Fook dynasty, has emerged as a pivotal figure in the Web3 revolution with the launch of ALMAD Group. This venture, rooted in blockchain innovation and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, represents a bold pivot from traditional real estate into the digital asset economy. As the RWA tokenization market surges past $30 billion in 2025Real World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Could Reach $30B in 2025 [https://coinpedia.org/research-report/top-real-world-asset-rwa-projects/]^[1], driven by institutional adoption and regulatory clarityRWAs rise 260% in 2025, driven by US crypto regulations [https://cointelegraph.com/news/rwa-token-market-bitcoin-adoption-2025]^[2], ALMAD Group's strategic positioning in decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital asset management is poised to redefine how value is created, managed, and exchanged in the 21st century.

A Legacy Reimagined: From Real Estate to Web3

Zheng's departure from New World Development in 2025Zheng Zhigang Resigns as CEO of New World Development [https://meyka.com/blog/zheng-zhigang-resigns-as-ceo-of-new-world-development-a-new-era-for-family-businesses-0809/]^[3] marked a symbolic shift from brick-and-mortar empire-building to digital-first innovation. ALMAD Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, leverages Zheng's experience in luxury real estate and cultural tourism to explore blockchain applications across sectors like healthcare, entertainment, and ACGN (animation, comics, games, novels)Adrian Cheng unveils ALMAD Group with a digital-first vision [https://www.marketing-interactive.com/adrian-cheng-unveils-almad-group-with-digital-first-vision]^[4]. This diversification aligns with Hong Kong's Policy Statement 2.0, which prioritizes legal clarity and cross-sector collaboration for digital assetsSecond policy statement on development of digital assets issued [https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202506/26/P2025062600269.htm]^[5]. By tokenizing real-world assets—such as real estate, private credit, and even cultural artifacts—ALMAD aims to unlock liquidity and democratize access to traditionally illiquid marketsTop 5 RWA Projects That Will Explode in 2025 [https://dboe.io/top-5-rwa-projects-that-will-explode-in-2025/]^[6].

Strategic Pillars: RWA Tokenization and DeFi Synergy

The core of ALMAD's strategy lies in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with DeFi through RWA tokenization. For instance, platforms like Ondo Finance and Centrifuge have demonstrated the viability of tokenizing U.S. Treasuries and trade receivables, offering investors fractional ownership and yield-generating opportunitiesHow To Launch An RWA Tokenization Project In Dubai In 2025 [https://www.forbes.com/sites/irinaheaver/2025/07/22/how-to-launch-an-rwa-tokenization-project-in-dubai-in-2025/]^[7]. ALMAD's focus on emerging markets—China, ASEAN, and the Middle East—positions it to capitalize on regions where blockchain adoption is accelerating. Dubai's regulatory framework under VARA, for example, has become a global hub for RWA projects, enabling asset-referenced tokens to be issued, custody, and traded with legal enforceabilityRWA Tokenization: SEC, MiCA & Compliance Breakthroughs in 2025 [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rwa-tokenization-sec-mica-compliance-breakthroughs-2025-valuit-llc-hidnf]^[8].

Moreover, ALMAD's emphasis on immersive digital experiences—such as virtual galleries and NFT-driven cultural tourism—echoes broader trends in Web3. By integrating blockchain with cultural assets, the group aims to create hybrid value chains that blend physical and digital ownership. This mirrors initiatives like K11's global expansion, where art and technology converge to redefine cultural capitalNew World Scion Adrian Cheng Launches Digital Asset Firm ALMAD [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-21/new-world-scion-adrian-cheng-launches-digital-asset-firm-almad]^[9].

Navigating Regulatory Landscapes

The DeFi space in 2025 is no longer a Wild West; it's a carefully regulated ecosystem. The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and the U.S. SEC's focus on stablecoin compliance have created a framework that prioritizes investor protection without stifling innovationDeFi Expansion Under New Regulations [https://smartliquidity.info/2025/09/10/defi-expansion-under-new-reg]^[10]. ALMAD Group's alignment with these regulations—such as ensuring tokenized assets are backed by auditable reserves—positions it as a credible player in a maturing market. For example, the U.S. GENIUS Act's requirement for stablecoins to be 1:1 backed by low-risk assetsTop 10 RWA Tokenization Projects to Watch Out in 2025 [https://blockapex.io/top-10-rwa-tokenization-projects/]^[11] mirrors ALMAD's approach to RWA tokenization, where transparency and compliance are non-negotiable.

Market Dynamics and Competitive Edge

The RWA tokenization market's explosive growth—up 260% in the first half of 2025Real World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Could Reach $30B in 2025 [https://coinpedia.org/research-report/top-real-world-asset-rwa-projects/]^[12]—highlights ALMAD's potential to disrupt asset management. By targeting private credit (58% of RWA market share) and U.S. Treasuries (34%)Top 5 RWA Projects You Can’t Afford to Ignore in 2025 [https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/top-five-rwa-projects-you-cant-afford-to-ignore-in-2025]^[13], the group taps into sectors where institutional demand is surging. Partnerships with blockchain protocols like Polymesh or Ondo Chain could further enhance ALMAD's infrastructure, enabling seamless cross-chain interoperability and compliance-driven smart contractsRWA Inc. Transforming Tokenization with Strategic Partnerships [https://medium.com/@asemotaosamaa/rwa-inc-transforming-tokenization-with-strategic-partnerships-and-2025-milestones-3897f5ba282f]^[14].

Critically, ALMAD's focus on emerging markets differentiates it from Western-centric RWA projects. In China, for instance, tokenizing real estate or art could bypass traditional banking bottlenecks, while in the Middle East, it could align with Vision 2030's digital transformation goalsNew World's Adrian Cheng Launches ALMAD to Tap Digital Tokenised Assets [https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/new-world-s-adrian-cheng-launches-almad-to-tap-digital-tokenised-assets-125092100283_1.html]^[15]. This geographic diversification mitigates risks and taps into underpenetrated markets.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for the Future Economy

Zheng Zhigang's ALMAD Group is more than a venture—it's a blueprint for the future economy. By merging Web3 infrastructure with real-world assets, the group addresses the core challenge of DeFi: bridging the gap between digital innovation and tangible value. As the RWA market approaches $10 trillion by 2030Ten Real-World Asset Projects to Watch in 2025 [https://magazine.mindplex.ai/post/ten-real-world-asset-projects-to-watch-in-2025]^[16], ALMAD's early mover advantage, regulatory agility, and focus on emerging markets position it as a key player in the next phase of financial evolution. For investors, this represents an opportunity to back a visionary project that's not just riding the blockchain wave but shaping its direction.