Tokenization moved from the margins to a $28 billion market | Opinion

The tokenization of real-world assets has shifted from an early experiment to an undeniable financial reality. In late August 2025, tokenized assets on public blockchains surpassed $28 billion, with U.S. Treasuries alone representing more than $6.6 billion in value. What was once confined to niche projects has matured into one of the most dynamic areas of blockchain adoption.

The pace of growth is striking. Tokenization delivers more than efficiency, offering fractional ownership, faster settlement, and clearer transparency in markets that have struggled with inefficiencies for decades. These improvements are no longer theoretical. They are directly influencing how institutions and investors allocate capital.

Institutional push and the evolution of infrastructure

Institutional momentum is central to this shift. From private equity to real estate debt and structured credit, some of the largest and least transparent asset classes are being digitized. This move is not just happening on general-purpose blockchains but through infrastructure designed to manage compliance, automate restrictions, and establish durable standards for liquidity.

Large global banks are already conducting tokenized repo transactions worth billions, demonstrating how tokenization reduces counterparty risk and speeds capital flows by cutting settlement times from days to hours. Leading investment firms have begun issuing tokenized bonds on private blockchains, while asset managers are testing tokenized Treasury funds on public networks. These initiatives are not innovation for its own sake; they are targeted steps to lower risk, broaden distribution, and reduce friction in some of finance’s most systemically important markets.

If tokenization is to scale into the trillions, it cannot rely on ad-hoc smart contracts that leave issuers exposed to regulatory uncertainty. The foundations must embed compliance and governance so that assets created on-chain carry the same protections as their traditional counterparts. Only with this approach can institutional adoption continue to accelerate without introducing new risks.

Policy and platforms are opening new doors

Regulation is beginning to keep pace with innovation. In Europe, policymakers have made clear that tokenization is not a side project but a priority. New initiatives under the DLT Pilot Regime and proposed measures within the Single Rulebook (SIU) are enabling tokenized equities, bonds, and derivatives within clear legal parameters.
The regulatory lens is also shifting rapidly in other regions. Singapore and Hong Kong have approved pilots for funds and structured products. Meanwhile, Brazil is moving forward with tokenized dollar-denominated assets. Even in the U.S., where caution has prevailed, progress is visible: the SEC is reviewing proposals to allow tokenized securities to trade on traditional exchanges. A fragmented global approach remains a challenge, but it’s clear that regulators now view tokenization not as an experiment, but as an inevitable market evolution.

On the retail side, momentum is building. Robinhood has announced plans to launch a platform for tokenized U.S. stocks in Europe, with blockchain settlement likely to be powered by Arbitrum (ARB) or Solana (SOL). These moves hint at a future where everyday investors can access digital versions of securities as easily as they trade crypto today. For now, tokenized equities remain a relatively small slice of the market, worth around 400 million dollars compared to the tens of billions concentrated in treasuries and credit.

The future will be defined by trust and scale

Even as the numbers impress, challenges remain. Global stock exchanges have urged regulators to scrutinize tokenized equities, warning that many mimic shares don’t offer rights such as voting or redemption. Liquidity is also uneven, with thin secondary markets for many tokenized products. These issues show that tokenization must go beyond speed and also preserve safeguards that give investors confidence and protect market integrity.

Liquidity is still the biggest bottleneck. Tokenized treasuries are thriving, but tokenized equities and credit products often trade lightly in fragmented markets. Investors are hesitant to enter without scale, and liquidity stalls without them. To break this cycle, we need interoperability and shared standards. This will help issuers and investors transact across markets confidently. Just as equity markets rely on established clearing systems, tokenization will mature when compliance and liquidity are built-in features, not just optional extras.

The road ahead

The next phase of growth will require careful balance. Innovation must continue, but it cannot outpace regulation or abandon investor protections. Infrastructure must prioritize compliance, governance, and identity from the outset, not as afterthoughts. If this balance is achieved, tokenization will continue its rapid expansion while transforming capital markets into something more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.

The 28 billion dollar milestone is not the end of the story but the beginning of a new chapter. Over the coming years, tokenization will define how global markets operate, and the winners will be those who scale responsibly by combining the speed of blockchain with the discipline of traditional finance.

Vincent Kadar

Vincent Kadar is an experienced technology and capital markets executive who leads Polymath, where he focuses on building practical blockchain solutions for private assets. He has spent nearly thirty years helping companies bridge complex technology with real market needs. Before Polymath, he was CEO of Telepin Software Systems for over a decade, expanding its mobile payments network worldwide. He also co-founded Airwide Solutions, an early leader in secure mobile messaging. At Polymath, Vincent oversees the Polymath Capital Platform and serves on the Governing Council of the Polymesh Association, helping to advance permissioned blockchain infrastructure for regulated assets. He is known for his straightforward approach to solving industry challenges and his track record of turning innovative ideas into thriving businesses.