Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) have emerged as a rare area of growth within the cryptocurrency sector, expanding significantly even as broader crypto markets faced challenges in early 2026. Binance Research reported that active tokenized RWAs increased by nearly 600% from early 2025 through mid-2026, signaling strong investor appetite despite macroeconomic pressures and regulatory uncertainty.
The rapid rise of tokenized stocks stood out, with market value advancing over 400% during the period. This surge was largely driven by platforms such as Ondo Global Markets, which offers tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), surpassing $1 billion in total value locked within eight months of its launch. Bonds and money market funds also saw robust growth, increasing by 83% and adding $6.5 billion in value, underpinning the sector’s diversification beyond just one type of asset.
Precious metals tokenization followed a strong upward trend as well, adding $1.5 billion in value amid geopolitical tensions that elevated demand for safe-haven assets. Tokenized gold, in particular, climbed above $6 billion early in the year before easing as underlying gold prices moderated. This broadening base of tokenized RWAs marks a shift from the market’s prior heavy focus on treasuries toward an ecosystem encompassing multiple asset classes with diverse yield-generating opportunities.
Investor interest in tokenized assets has also expanded beyond individual retail buyers to institutional players. Innovative projects like Kraken’s xStocks platform, which provides access to tokenized shares of private companies such as SpaceX, recorded cumulative trading volumes of more than $25 billion in under a year. This institutional momentum extends into real estate, where firms like Apex Group are leveraging Goldman Sachs’ digital asset platform to offer fund services, highlighting growing demand for blockchain-enabled settlement and administration solutions.
Beyond investment products, tokenization efforts are increasingly focused on transforming financial infrastructure itself. Major banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Citibank, are involved in The Clearing House’s planned launch of a tokenized deposit network, aiming to modernize traditional payment systems and compete with stablecoins. This move represents a strategic integration of blockchain technology within established banking frameworks, signaling a new phase of adoption and innovation.