Real-world assets (RWAs) on public blockchains are poised to reach trillions by 2030, according to industry experts who gathered in Rio, Brazil for a panel discussion moderated by CryptoNews. The session featured speakers from the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), Centrifuge, and Moody’s, who shared insights on the growing trend of tokenization and its impact on the financial landscape.
RWAs encompass a wide range of assets that originate off-chain and are brought on-chain, including receivables, funds, real estate, and more. The panelists highlighted that the initial focus has been on yield products such as U.S. Treasuries and high-quality funds, with emerging opportunities in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and private credit. Liz Ray, CFO at SDF, emphasized the importance of making previously restricted instruments accessible to a global audience through decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.
Institutions are already exploring digital representations of traditional assets like funds and deposits, with major players like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Goldman Sachs actively involved in pilot projects. The shift towards on-chain liquidity is being driven by the promise of higher yields and improved efficiency, including lower costs, faster settlement times, and reduced counterparty risk. FX transactions were highlighted as a prime use case for blockchain technology, offering instant settlement and increased market access.
While the current market for on-chain RWAs is estimated to be around $30 billion, the panelists anticipate rapid growth in adoption as capital sources expand and regulatory frameworks evolve. The key to unlocking this growth lies in liquidity and interoperability, with interconnected platforms offering seamless access to a diverse range of assets. Moody’s is adapting its risk assessment framework to evaluate the performance and security of on-chain tokens, focusing on platform reliability, smart contract functionality, asset representation, and external risks.
Looking ahead to 2030, the panelists envision a future where everyday savings products and DeFi applications are backed by RWA assets, providing users with a seamless experience and steady yield streams. Payments using stablecoins, rapid FX transactions, and programmable assets are expected to become standard practices, simplifying financial processes and reducing bureaucracy. In conclusion, the panelists emphasized that institutions are already active participants in the blockchain space, and the next phase will involve building compliant infrastructure, enhancing cross-chain liquidity, and managing risk transparently to scale RWAs from billions to trillions in value.
This article was originally published on Cryptonews and has been reimagined for a WordPress platform, maintaining the original structure and key points discussed during the panel session.