Real-world asset tokenization grows since early 2026. It moves past trial stages. In live markets, investors buy blockchain tokens. These tokens show shares in Treasury funds, stocks, and unique collectibles. BlackRock, Circle, and Franklin Templeton lead with large tokenized funds and securities on blockchains like Ethereum and BNB Chain.
Key facts:
- Tokenization turns claims on bonds, stocks, funds, or commodities into blockchain tokens. It lets people own parts of assets and settle trades any time.
- BlackRock started its tokenized fund BUIDL on Ethereum in March 2024. By early 2026, the fund held about $2.4 billion.
- Circle’s USYC product converts nearly $3 billion in U.S. Treasuries into tokens. Franklin Templeton’s BENJI holds around $821 million.
- Tokenized equities rose by about 2,878% to reach $963 million by January 2026. Platforms like Backed Finance’s XStocks and Ondo Global Markets run these tokens.
- Ethereum holds about 50% of the tokenized asset value ($16.6 billion). BNB Chain’s tokenized assets doubled to $4 billion in total value locked.
- New tokenized assets have come forward. They include on-chain Pokémon cards, tokenized uranium and copper, gold and silver perpetual contracts, and even Nvidia GPUs that work as collateral for loans in AI centers.
Why it matters:
Real-world asset tokenization on blockchain ties normal financial tools to digital forms. This change makes buying, selling, and settlement fast. It opens the market to more users and speeds up trades. The growth in tokenized Treasuries, equities, and fresh asset types marks a change in how investors create, buy, and hold assets.
Background:
Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman, said in his 2025 and 2026 letters that every stock, bond, fund, and asset could become a token. Legal rules such as the U.S. GENIUS Act, passed in July 2025, set guidelines for US stablecoins and similar tokens. Today, the real-world asset market includes both common financial items and more niche types. This work pushes tokenization forward on blockchains like Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, and others.
