RWA tokens: how blockchain is rewriting the rules of global finance

Cryptocurrency assets have long gone beyond mere speculation. But a real revolution in the financial world may come from an entirely different direction—through the tokenization of traditional assets. Real-World Asset tokens (RWA tokens) represent one of the most promising trends at the intersection of traditional finance and decentralized platforms. Their potential lies in making global financial markets truly 24/7, accessible, and efficient.

Why RWA tokens are generating such interest in the investment community

RWA tokens are essentially digital representations of real assets—stocks, bonds, funds, precious metals—placed on the blockchain. Using distributed ledger technology, these tokens enable ownership and trading of traditional financial instruments without the usual intermediaries and restrictions.

Interest in RWA tokens is growing because they address several pressing issues of classical finance:

• Borderless access: an investor from Asia can instantly buy shares of an American company without a local broker
• 24/7 trading: unlike stock exchanges with fixed hours, RWA tokens are traded around the clock
• Significant cost reduction: eliminating chain intermediaries reduces commissions
• Fractional ownership: even expensive assets can be divided into micro-shares

Today, the global RWA market is estimated at approximately $23 billion, with tokenized stocks accounting for about $313 million. This is just a grain of sand, but the growth rate indicates a potential for expansion.

How RWA tokens actually work

The mechanism of RWA is based on converting ownership rights into a digital form. When you own an RWA token, you essentially hold a claim on a real asset or its derivative.

The process looks like this:

1. The original asset (e.g., Apple stock) is stored securely
2. An equivalent token is issued on the blockchain (often ERC-20 standard on Ethereum or other networks)
3. The token holder gains all relevant rights—from dividends to voting (depending on the asset type)
4. Tokens can be freely traded on decentralized platforms

An important detail: there are two fundamentally different approaches to organizing RWA:

Fully custodial-backed tokens—each token is backed by a physical asset in a 1:1 ratio, stored in an authorized custodian. This is safer but slower and more expensive.

Synthetic derivatives—tokens replicate the asset’s value without physical storage. They are cheaper and allow leverage, but carry higher risks.

Main players in the RWA market: where the assets come from

Currently, several platforms are building infrastructure for mass tokenization of real assets:

MyStonks

Focuses on tokenized US stocks. The platform offers a decentralized trading interface where token holders receive dividends on par with traditional shareholders. The company completed an STO filing and received MSB certification—important steps toward legalization in the US.

Ondo Finance

Takes on a more ambitious task—collaborating with institutional players like BlackRock to tokenize over a thousand securities (stocks, bonds, funds). This could be the most significant bridge between TradFi and DeFi.

Backed

Operates under Swiss regulation and offers tokenized US stocks and ETFs traded on decentralized exchanges. The approach emphasizes maximum compliance.

Dinari

Specializes in ERC-20 tokens of US stocks on the Arbitrum One blockchain. Requires KYC verification and distributes dividends in stablecoins (USD+).

Helix

Takes a different route—uses synthetic derivatives (iAssets) for trading US stocks. Allows perpetual contracts with up to 25x leverage, attracting experienced traders, but without physical backing of assets.

Swarm

Provides access to tokenized US stocks and gold via the dOTC platform. All assets are backed 1:1 with physical assets stored in institutional vaults.

DigiFT

Focuses on tokenizing investment funds and bonds, gradually expanding its portfolio to include US stocks.

Why investors are attracted to this approach

The advantages of RWA tokens go far beyond mere convenience:

Breaking down geographical barriers—investors worldwide can access global capital markets without local intermediaries. This fundamentally changes investment conditions.

24/7 trading—stock markets close in the evening, but RWA tokens are traded continuously. This is critical for professionals and algorithmic strategies.

Lower transaction costs—each eliminated intermediary means saved commissions. Blockchain enables direct deals without multiple middlemen.

Increased liquidity—fractional ownership means even expensive assets become accessible to a broad range of investors, increasing demand and easing sales.

Immutable transparency—each transaction is recorded on an immutable ledger, reducing manipulation risk and increasing trust.

Regulatory and technical hurdles slowing development

Despite the clear potential, RWA tokens face significant obstacles:

Unclear legal framework—different countries lack a unified understanding of how to classify tokenized assets, creating uncertainty for platforms.

KYC and AML requirements—each platform must implement reliable user identification and suspicious activity monitoring, slowing down processes.

Custodial assurance issues—investors need confidence that assets are stored securely and can be returned. This requires partnerships with authorized custodians.

Mutual recognition—platforms operating across jurisdictions face difficulties in interaction and mutual acknowledgment.

Blockchain scalability—current solutions may not handle the volumes needed for billions of dollars in trading.

Custodial backing or synthetic derivatives: how to choose?

Investors need to understand what type of RWA they are investing in:

Fully backed tokens—safer. Each token is a guaranteed share of a real asset. Ideal for conservative investors seeking peace of mind.

Synthetic derivatives—for those willing to accept higher risk for flexibility and higher profit potential. They are cheaper to operate but do not guarantee safety in crises.

Market size today and growth potential

Currently, the total RWA market volume is approximately $23 billion. For comparison, the global stock market is worth trillions. This indicates RWA tokens are still in the early stages.

However, the potential is enormous:

• If just 1% of the global capital market moves onto blockchain, it could add trillions of dollars in new volume
• Growing institutional interest (e.g., BlackRock) signals trend legalization
• Improving regulatory clarity will catalyze faster adoption

What to expect for RWA tokens in the coming years

The future of RWA depends on solving several key challenges:

Attracting mass adoption—platforms need to create user interfaces that don’t require technical expertise. Today, this is mainly for experienced crypto ecosystem participants.

Regulatory transparency—clear rules from governments and regulators will be a major growth trigger. Currently, there is no unified standard.

Integration with TradFi—traditional financial institutions must incorporate blockchain tools into their systems. This takes time and investment.

Technological advancement—scalability, speed, and security of blockchains must approach traditional system standards.

Standardization—single protocols and standards are needed so different platforms can interact seamlessly.

RWA tokens as a symbol of the future of finance

RWA tokens represent an attempt to combine the best of both worlds: the reliability and scale of traditional finance with the transparency and efficiency of blockchain. The current market state is just the beginning.

Challenges are significant: regulation, scalability, trust. But the benefits—24/7 trading, global access, lower fees—are too substantial for this trend to remain marginal. As platforms address technical and legal barriers, RWA tokens are likely to become an integral part of the global financial infrastructure.

Investors should monitor this sector not as a hype but as a serious shift in how the world’s markets are structured.

Please note: Materials of this nature are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency and tokenized assets carry high risks. Consult with qualified professionals in investment, legal, and tax matters before taking any action.