Tokenization

OFA Group clarifies its Hearth platform, operated by Hearth Labs, is a non-custodial, technology-only infrastructure for digital record-keeping and workflow coordination of real-world assets. Hearth will not act as a financial intermediary, hold funds, issue securities, or facilitate transactions. Its function is limited to digital identification, lifecycle tracking, document hashing, and compliance tools, with NFTs serving as technical reference artifacts, not financial instruments. This approach aims to reduce regulatory exposure while building foundational digital infrastructure for the evolving RWA ecosystem.

DigiFT and BNY have launched the DigiFT U.S. Equity Income Fund (bEQTY), a tokenized actively managed fund on the Ethereum blockchain. This initiative moves beyond basic asset tokenization, demonstrating the technology’s capability for complex investment strategies. Available to accredited investors, bEQTY bridges traditional finance with Web3, offering enhanced transparency and efficiency for institutional portfolios. BNY manages the underlying equity strategy, marking a significant step in mainstream institutional adoption of tokenized real-world assets.

words.Kalshi has launched tokenized versions of its event contracts on the Solana blockchain, creating a hybrid market that links its regulated off‑chain order book to Solana’s liquidity pools via DFlow and Jupiter. Leveraging Solana’s low‑cost, high‑throughput network, Kalshi aims to attract crypto “power users” and capture part of the $3 trillion digital‑asset ecosystem. The move follows $300 million in funding at a $5 billion valuation and comes amid surging prediction‑market activity ($28 billion sector volume) and rising competition from rivals like Polymarket.

Alibaba.com is exploring tokenization for cross-border B2B payments, potentially partnering with financial institutions like JPMorgan. This move aims to streamline transactions using tokenized versions of currencies. Alibaba.com also launched “AI Mode,” an AI-powered subscription service to enhance search capabilities and create new revenue streams. New features such as “agentic pay” automate contract creation. This strategy combines AI and streamlined payments, with a phased approach to blockchain technologies, to improve global B2B e-commerce.

Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters predicts blockchain will underpin almost all global transactions, digitizing money and transforming finance. The bank is actively expanding its digital asset presence, offering custody services, trading platforms, and tokenized products. Winters praised Hong Kong’s proactive approach to digital asset regulation, highlighting the city’s ambition to become a crypto hub. Standard Chartered is involved in launching a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin, aligning with the city’s new regulatory framework. Other fintech leaders see tokenization as a revolution for investing, increasing efficiency and access to illiquid assets.

Securitize, the platform behind BlackRock’s tokenized fund, will go public via a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners II, valuing the company at $1.25 billion. CEO Carlos Domingo highlights the lack of publicly traded, pure-play tokenization companies, anticipating strong market performance and offering investors direct exposure to the tokenization trend. The move follows the surge in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), with the market growing significantly. Securitize aims to digitize its own equity and believes blockchain will transform finance within a decade, creating a more efficient and transparent system.

Cryptocurrencies’ direct use in real estate is limited, but blockchain’s potential to revolutionize Commercial Real Estate (CRE) is significant. Experts like Tony Giordano foresee widespread adoption within a decade. Blockchain offers secure data storage for property records and facilitates tokenization, enabling fractional ownership and streamlined trading. Deloitte projects trillions of dollars in economic activity through tokenization by 2035. AI combined with blockchain can also enhance CRE finance by facilitating mortgage and interest rate transfers, avoiding prepayment penalties and freeing up capital.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev predicts tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) will revolutionize global finance, impacting equities and real estate. He believes major markets will establish frameworks within five years. Robinhood already offers tokenized U.S. stocks in the EU. Tenev sees tokenization increasing liquidity and democratizing investment access. He anticipates a merger between cryptocurrency and traditional finance, driven by the advantages of blockchain technology. While Europe may lead in regulation, the trend seems unstoppable with involvement from institutions like Morgan Stanley and BlackRock.

World Liberty Financial (WLF), a crypto venture linked to the Trump family, announced at Token2049 its plans to launch a debit card and explore tokenized commodities. CEO Zach Witkoff highlighted the debit card aiming to bridge crypto with traditional spending, and their active work on tokenizing assets like oil and timber. WLF also launched USD1, a stablecoin reportedly among the top five globally. Donald Trump Jr emphasized WLF’s independence, while Witkoff noted USD1’s potential to boost demand for U.S. Treasuries. The company plans to launch USD1 on the Aptos blockchain.

Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, has received a $50M strategic investment from Nasdaq ahead of its IPO this week. Nasdaq aims to provide custodial services for financial institutions engaging with crypto, leveraging Gemini’s infrastructure. Gemini will become a key distribution partner for Nasdaq Calypso. This move follows Nasdaq’s SEC filing for tokenized stock trading, demonstrating a broader embrace of digital assets by traditional finance and aiming to maximize Gemini’s valuation. Gemini held over $21 billion in assets as of July.