Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is quickly reshaping the landscape of digital assets, according to a recent report by OKX Ventures. The venture capital platform’s findings underscore the pivotal role of RWA tokenization in ushering in a new era of financial innovation.
The report delves into the on-chain developments, market growth and wider impact of RWA tokenization, positioning it as a potential game-changer for market efficiency. It draws attention to the predominance of stablecoins, which currently account for over 90% of the total RWA market. However, the report also highlights the burgeoning interest in other areas, such as tokenized debt, institutional funds and commodities.
Industry heavyweights like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and renowned entrepreneur David Sacks are among the prominent figures driving this shift. The data from 2024 reveals an impressive 79% surge in the cumulative RWA value, excluding stablecoins. When factoring in stablecoins, the five-year growth rate catapults to a staggering 5,300%, largely owing to the widespread adoption of stablecoins in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector.
Coinbase’s recent survey further underscores the growing interest in RWAs. The survey found that 70% of respondents are exploring the use of stablecoins, while 86% are cognizant of their potential benefits. Additionally, 35% of the participants are reportedly planning their own tokenization projects. Meanwhile, Mastercard reported that 30% of its transfers in 2024 were tokenized, resulting in a net revenue of $28.2 billion, a 12% increase from the previous year.
OKX Ventures’ report also draws attention to the significant gains recorded in the RWA market in 2024. The total value of synthetic dollars locked in rose by $206 million, commodities saw an $87 million increase, and equities experienced a $4 million uptick. These numbers collectively pushed the RWA-to-DeFi total value locked ratio to 0.048x, indicating a steady increase since its low point in March of the previous year.
On the blockchain front, zkSync and Ethereum together hold an 80% share of the RWA market. Stellar recorded the highest one-month growth at around 38.5%. Additionally, TRON and Ethereum together account for over 85% of the total market share. Meanwhile, Avalanche led the pack with a significant 56.69% growth in the previous month.
The report’s findings underscore the significant strides being made in the RWA sector. As the sector continues to expand and evolve, it is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital assets and financial innovation.
