Emerging Markets Set to Drive RWA Tokenization in 2026: Crypto Exec
▪ Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are expected to see accelerated growth in 2026, led by adoption in emerging market economies
▪ These regions face higher friction in capital formation and foreign investment, making onchain solutions more attractive
▪ RWA tokenization enables onchain capital formation, reducing reliance on traditional financial intermediaries
▪ Emerging markets often leapfrog legacy infrastructure, adopting digital rails like stablecoin settlement faster than developed economies
▪ Tokenization allows fractional ownership, expanding access to assets previously out of reach for retail investors
▪ Real estate and commodities dominate RWA use cases in developing economies, while fixed-income assets lead in developed markets
▪ The tokenized RWA market could reach several trillion dollars over the next decade, depending on issuers moving beyond pilot programs
▪ Growth hinges on scaling commercial-grade products, not sandbox experiments
▪ Key challenges remain, including legal enforceability, liquidity depth, investor protection, and cross-chain interoperability
▪ Fragmented token standards and differences between permissioned and permissionless chains slow mass adoption
Key takeaway:
RWA tokenization’s next growth wave may come not from Wall Street, but from markets building financial infrastructure onchain first.