Institutions are betting big on RWAs and expecting large returns

As someone who has been closely following and participating in the evolving world of finance for many years, I am genuinely excited about the potential that tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) hold for the future of our industry. Having witnessed the transformation brought about by digitalization and blockchain technology in various sectors, I believe RWAs could be a game-changer in making finance more accessible and efficient for everyone.


As a researcher, I’m observing an exciting development – the tokenization of tangible world assets (TWAs) gaining traction and attracting significant attention from institutions, with a surge in investment.

Such expansion is driving predictions for rapid expansion within the Real-World Asset (RWA) sector, with projections suggesting its market value could range anywhere from a staggering $4 trillion to an astounding $30 trillion by the year 2030.

According to CryptoMoon’s report, Tren Finance predicts a potential 50-fold increase in the RWA tokenization industry by the year 2030.

Key industry titans such as BlackRock and the Boston Consulting Group are making substantial investments in this sector, understanding its capacity to reshape the way assets are exchanged, held, and managed.

Michael Bucella, a co-founder and managing partner at the Web3 investment company Neoclassic Capital, stated that large investors are attracted towards real-world asset tokenization due to its ability to tackle pricing inconsistencies in both conventional finance and cryptocurrency markets.

Bucella explained to CryptoMoon that markets have a tendency to develop pricing discrepancies. In traditional finance terms, this could be seen as incorrectly priced credit facilities (meaning the cost of capital) or undervalued volume. From a crypto perspective, it’s about identifying assets with low volume but high security.

According to Bucella, discrepancies in pricing, often referred to as “mispricings,” arise in both traditional finance and cryptocurrency markets due to the close association between elements such as technology, financial services, and regulations. These disparities exist because these sectors are still evolving and not yet perfectly synchronized.

With an increasing number of assets being transferred onto the blockchain, it’s expected that price discrepancies may change, making the tokenization of real-world assets more attractive to large investors due to potential advantages and benefits.

In the future, changes will occur as original digital assets are created and secured using blockchain technology, traditional capital markets shift onto the blockchain, and all future financial tools emerge due to advancements in blockchain innovation. (Bucella stated)

Dan Spuller, a top executive at the U.S.-based Blockchain Association – an organization advocating for cryptocurrency-friendly policies and regulations – highlighted that tokenization based on RWA (Real-World Assets) and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) are rapidly expanding sectors within the blockchain industry.

As an analyst, I’ve recently discovered an exciting development: Traditional illiquid assets such as real estate, commodities, and private debt are now being fractionalized. This means they can be made more accessible to a wider pool of investors, thereby enhancing the diversity of investment portfolios and potentially reducing overall risk.

He remarked, ‘I think the technology behind blockchain provides an extra layer of trust and safety, as it maintains a transparent record of ownership and transaction details. As more people embrace this technology and regulatory guidelines for digital assets become more defined, I anticipate its popularity to surge, especially among institutional investors.’

Institutional аdoption and RWAs

2024 saw a substantial expansion in the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) sector, indicating a rising interest among financial heavyweights towards digital assets on the blockchain. Notably, BlackRock, a global titan in asset management, unveiled over $1 billion worth of tokenized government securities. Their aim is to amplify this investment up to $10 billion by year-end.

In a similar vein, the newly introduced Assetera protocol on the Polygon network aims to tap into traditional finance (TradFi) by providing regulated, on-chain investment options in Europe. These steps mark just the beginning, as analysts forecast that Regulatory Wrapped Assets (RWAs) will become the norm in capital markets over the next ten years.

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Looking at the future prospects of RWAs, estimates like those from Boston Consulting Group indicate that the potential market value for these could reach as high as $16 trillion by the year 2030. This represents a significant increase, being over 2,030 times greater than the current market capitalization of around $7.88 billion.

Institutions are betting big on RWAs and expecting large returns

At the TOKEN2049 event, Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, suggested that Real World Assets (RWAs) could potentially surpass cryptocurrencies in terms of market value. This prediction underscores the possibility that RWAs might reshape the financial landscape. As more conventional financial institutions embrace these assets, the market is moving towards a transformative position within the financial system.

According to different industry assessments, the potential expansion pace for the Remote Workforce Automation (RWA) market may differ. However, McKinsey’s prediction is relatively moderate, anticipating a market value of approximately $2 trillion by 2030.

Key drivers of growth for RWAs

Various elements contribute to the expansion of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), mirroring the preferences of institutional and individual investors for streamlined processes, openness, and wider investment opportunities.

Breakdown of assets, including real estate and bonds, into smaller, exchangeable pieces using tokenization provides significant advantages, one of which is increased market fluidity.

By breaking down these opportunities into smaller, more accessible pieces (fractionalization), we make it simpler for a larger number of individuals to invest, thereby promoting a more inclusive approach to sectors previously reserved for the elite, such as real estate and fine art.

Using blockchain technology for tokenization noticeably lowers transaction fees due to the removal of intermediaries, and it expedites the processing time for transactions by facilitating quicker settlements.

In the conventional market, transactions may require several days to complete, whereas transactions made on a blockchain platform can happen immediately, thereby increasing liquidity and minimizing potential risks associated with counterparties. This swiftness is especially attractive to institutional investors seeking affordable ways to efficiently manage their investment portfolios.

Additionally, tokenized assets facilitate automated compliance by incorporating regulatory requirements within the tokens themselves. This minimizes the requirement for manual supervision and simplifies cross-border investments due to reduced administrative intricacies.

Combining these resources with Decentralized Finance (DeFi) systems gives rise to novel financial offerings and income sources. Linking Traditional Finance (TradFi) and DeFi through tokenization takes advantage of blockchain’s openness and security, thereby fostering a more diverse and user-friendly financial system.

Is continued growth realistic?

The optimism stems from the rapid integration of institutions into the system and the continuous development of the technology itself. For example, tokenized U.S. government bonds have skyrocketed by 450% this year, thanks to advantageous returns and improved accessibility on platforms such as Ethereum.

Bucella and Spuller express confidence in the ongoing expansion of RWAs. They highlight an untapped sector they find promising, which is the growing trend of financializing intellectual property (IP), particularly in the Eastern regions.

As a crypto enthusiast, I firmly believe that the untapped intellectual property (IP) riches in Japan and Korea are significant and ripe for exploration. The transformation of these assets into financial instruments has become a prime area of focus for both corporations and regulatory bodies in these regions. In my opinion, this sector – often referred to as Real-World Assets (RWA) or onchain finance – is poised for a groundbreaking expansion in the coming years.

Speaking up, Spuller added, “Indeed, it seems this trend will persist due to institutional demand and technological progress. The allure of tokenization lies in its liquidity, transparency, and security, which are highly valued across the board. As regulations become more defined and industry norms develop, we can expect a faster pace of growth in tokenized real-world assets.

However, the speedy expansion of blockchain technology relies significantly on its ability to tackle crucial issues like scalability and interoperability, which are essential for accommodating high-volume tokenized asset transactions.

Additionally, conventional financial establishments offer credibility alongside strict regulatory oversight. This participation implies that tokenization must align with existing regulations and risk management protocols, which may curb the industry’s expansion rate but guarantees its durability and reliability.

Roadblocks to RWA growth

The growth of RWAs faces several practical challenges. One of the main issues is the absence of unified verification standards. 

At present, the process of verifying Real-World Assets (RWA) is scattered, resulting in numerous methods and procedures that often lead to ineffectiveness and increased chances of deception.

In addition, Spuller emphasized that standardized validation is crucial for the ongoing expansion and widespread use of Recurring Wireless Agreements (RWAs). Spuller pointed out, “The verification of tokenized assets presents difficulties related to establishing authenticity, verifying ownership, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

In his words, he stated, “In our field, we can tackle these issues by taking actions like establishing guidelines for categorizing assets, proposing regulatory policies, and adopting third-party verification. Moreover, standardized token issuance and storage procedures could increase investor trust and simplify the approval process by regulatory bodies.” Spuller also mentioned this.

A significant hurdle in Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization lies in ensuring secure storage, known as custody, for both the digital token and the tangible asset it symbolizes. This additional process introduces costs and complexity, potentially diminishing some of the cost advantages that online finance might provide.

Bucella highlights that one significant challenge in RWA tokenization is the issue of custody. This is because, when it comes to on-chain finance, cost savings are often offset by the requirement to secure both the digital representations of the assets and the physical assets themselves (such as bonds).

Despite viewing custody as one among several challenges, he underscores the fact that these matters are being actively tackled. Notably, fruitful discussions have been taking place between crypto-native entities and conventional institutions during gatherings such as the RWA Summit in New York City last month.

This inconsistency causes investors to worry, since it lessens the clarity and reliability of custodial management procedures.

Demonstrating authenticity poses a significant hurdle in the expansion of RWA (Real-World Asset) growth, as anyone can effortlessly manufacture a Non-Fungible Token (NFT). However, not every NFT signifies actual ownership, casting doubt on its worth. Its value is uncertain unless it receives legal or market validation that the NFT serves as the official evidence of possession for a tangible asset, such as real estate or artwork.

The fundamental questionability of their origin poses a significant challenge when trying to validate Real Property Rights Associations (RWA) as trustworthy indicators of property ownership.

Additionally, there’s the challenge of court recognition. While conventional paperwork allows courts to transfer ownership of tangible possessions, establishing ownership rights on a blockchain is a more intricate process.

In contrast to tangible possessions, the sole method for a court to mandate a transfer within a blockchain network is by obtaining the owner’s private key. Absent such enforceability, it becomes challenging to settle disagreements concerning digital or tokenized assets through legally binding means.

The scalability of blockchain technology also poses a challenge. Managing complex assets like real estate requires frequent valuation updates and compliance processes, which the current blockchain infrastructure struggles to support efficiently. 

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As a researcher delving into the realm of blockchain technology, I can attest that seamlessly merging these processes with conventional finance isn’t without its hurdles. The main issue lies in scaling the security, interoperability, and reliability of blockchain systems to accommodate high-value asset transactions, which demand robustness and resilience.

Lastly, we have the question of token contract security, which, like other smart contracts, is susceptible to hacking. In case a tokenized asset contract gets hacked, it brings up concerns regarding the true ownership of the tangible item symbolized by the token.

Ensuring we seal these contracts is essential to stop unapproved transactions, avoid potential misunderstandings and disagreements that might harm the credibility of the RWA tokenization process.

Transforming the financial terrain, the process of digitizing tangible assets opens up unparalleled investment possibilities for both individual investors and financial institutions.

Although the future expansion of RWAs continues to be uncertain, its forward push is indisputable. Overcoming regulatory hurdles, technological limitations, and scaling issues will enable the industry to capitalize on blockchain advantages, all the while maintaining security and adhering to regulations.

With increasing involvement from established financial institutions, Regulated Wallet Assets (RWAs) are set to become a fundamental pillar in the evolving financial landscape. They offer the stability of conventional assets alongside the adaptability provided by blockchain technology.

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2024-11-08 00:07