Tokenized assets are about to boom! According to CoinShares, the total value of tokenized assets has risen from $15 billion at the beginning of 2025 to $35 billion, with private credit and U.S. government bonds being the fastest-growing segments, and gold tokens exceeding $1.3 billion[1]. Grayscale has also listed asset tokenization as one of the top ten investment themes for 2026[3]. Many people see this as an opportunity to get rich quickly, but I must tell you about these two cognitive biases that could lead you to lose everything in this sector!
Let’s start with some popular science: tokenized assets are real-world assets, such as gold, government bonds, real estate, and credit, that are tokenized through blockchain technology, allowing these assets to be traded on-chain. This method can improve asset liquidity and lower investment thresholds. For example, it was previously difficult for ordinary people to invest in U.S. government bonds, but now, through tokenized government bonds, participation can be as low as a few hundred dollars. This is also why institutions are optimistic about this sector, as it can bridge traditional finance and crypto finance[1].
However, many people have misconceptions about tokenized assets, and these two misconceptions must be corrected:
The first misconception: "Tokenization = no risk." Many people believe that tokenized assets are safe because they are backed by real assets, which is a serious misunderstanding. The risks of tokenized assets mainly come from three aspects: first, the risk of underlying assets, such as tokenized credit assets; if the borrower defaults, the value of the token will also drop to zero; second, the risk of the tokenization platform; if the platform goes bankrupt or is hacked, investors' assets may be lost; third, regulatory risk; if regulatory agencies determine that a certain tokenized asset is non-compliant, trading may be prohibited. There have previously been tokenized real estate projects that were delisted due to compliance issues, resulting in significant losses for investors. Remember, tokenization is just a technical means and cannot eliminate the risks of underlying assets.
The second misconception: "The earlier you participate, the better." Many people think that tokenized assets are a new sector and that the earlier you participate, the more money you can make, leading to blind investments in various tokenized asset projects. However, in reality, the tokenized asset sector is still in its early stages, and many projects are immature, lacking comprehensive regulation and risk control systems [4]. Barclays also warns that tokenized assets will not have a substantive impact on returns in 2026 [4]. Participating too early may face issues such as project failure and insufficient liquidity. The correct approach is to first observe market developments and choose projects that have legitimate institutional backing, clear underlying assets, and compliance with regulations, such as BlackRock's BUIDL fund and JPMorgan's JPMD tokenized deposits [1]. These projects have backing from large institutions and relatively lower risks.
My personal opinion: Tokenized assets are indeed an important trend for 2026, with significant development potential in the future, but it is difficult to become mainstream in the short term. The sector will see more institutions entering by 2026, and regulation will gradually improve, but opportunities for ordinary investors to participate are limited, and risks are relatively high. For most investors, rather than blindly investing in tokenized assets, it is better to focus on infrastructure projects that benefit from the development of tokenized assets, such as Ethereum, Solana, and other smart contract platforms. These platforms are the carriers of tokenized assets and will benefit from the development of tokenized assets [1].
Practical advice: If you want to participate in the tokenized asset sector, be sure to choose legitimate platforms and projects, prioritizing those tokenized assets that have backing from large institutions, such as tokenized U.S. Treasury bonds, tokenized gold, etc. Do not let your position exceed 10% of your total position; as part of asset allocation, do not place all your hopes on this sector. Additionally, closely monitor regulatory dynamics. If regulatory agencies issue new policies regarding tokenized assets, adjust your investment strategy in a timely manner. Remember, tokenized assets are the future, but they are not a tool that will make you rich right now; rational participation is key! If you currently feel helpless or confused about trading and want to learn more about cryptocurrency-related knowledge and first-hand cutting-edge information, follow me@标哥说币 .
