A major step forward for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization has emerged from the Middle East. Billiton Diamond, in collaboration with tokenization firm Ctrl Alt, announced that more than $280 million worth of certified polished diamonds have been successfully tokenized on the blockchain in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the announcement, the project leverages Ripple’s institutional-grade custody technology to secure the underlying physical assets, while the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is used to issue and manage digital tokens representing the diamond inventory. The total value of tokenized assets has reportedly surpassed 1 billion AED, marking one of the largest diamond tokenization initiatives to date.
The initiative is positioned as an institutional-standard tokenization process, specifically designed for polished diamonds stored within the UAE. Proponents argue that this model could significantly reduce settlement times, improve transparency, and enhance traceability across the diamond supply chain — areas that have traditionally faced operational inefficiencies.
However, the project’s next phase remains closely tied to regulatory approval. A broader platform launch and wider distribution will require authorization from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), underscoring the importance of regulatory clarity in scaling tokenized commodity markets.
Notably, Ripple’s role in this initiative is strictly infrastructure-focused. Its custody solution safeguards the tokenized assets, while XRPL facilitates issuance and transfer — without Ripple operating or managing a trading marketplace. This distinction matters, as one of the biggest challenges in commodity tokenization lies not in token issuance, but in ensuring real liquidity, reliable pricing mechanisms, narrow spreads, and clear redemption processes.
While the companies have outlined a roadmap covering asset lifecycle features such as custody, transfer, and readiness for secondary markets, key details remain undisclosed. These include the physical redemption mechanism, minimum trade sizes, and valuation methodologies for individual diamonds — all critical factors for scaling beyond controlled pilot environments.
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) confirmed its role as a coordinator, connecting stakeholders and supporting the broader tokenized commodities ecosystem. This aligns with Dubai’s strategic push to position real-world assets (RWA) as a core pillar of its digital asset economy.
This article is published for informational purposes only as a personal blog post and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own independent research before making any decisions. We are not responsible for any investment outcomes.
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