Real World Assets Discussions at Consensus 2025

TLDR

• Real world assets took center stage at Consensus 2025.
• Speakers representing everything from DeFi to Robinhood had something to say.
• Tokenized RWAs are a more efficient and accessible way to invest and trade tangible assets on-chain with blockchain tech capable of teaching an old dog new tricks.

The blockchain world has always promised to revolutionize traditional industries, but the concept of real-world assets is turning that promise into action. 

At Consensus 2025 in Toronto, some of the biggest names in the blockchain space talked about real-world assets (RWAs) and why they matter for the future of crypto. Whether you’re new to the space or a seasoned investor, this is a movement worth watching. Let’s get after it.

What Are Real World Assets in Crypto?

Real world assets, or RWAs, refer to tangible and traditional financial assets brought onto blockchain platforms using tokenization. Think of them as the bridge between the physical world and blockchain technology. 

These can include anything from real estate, private equity, and commodities to receivables and treasuries. Converting these assets into tokens makes them more accessible, efficient, and functional.

At its core, RWA tokenization removes barriers previously associated with traditional asset management. 

Blockchain technology allows these assets to be represented digitally, granting them new capabilities like enhanced liquidity and accessibility. For example, tokenizing a piece of property enables fractional ownership, letting individuals invest in real estate without buying an entire house or apartment.

The idea may seem a bit far-fetched if you’re new to crypto. It isn’t. The most common and well-known tokens in existence are a form of RWA.

Stablecoins: The Most Successful Real World Asset

If you haven’t heard of RWAs yet, chances are you’ve encountered the most practical and widespread example of them already: stablecoins. With over $200 billion worth of stablecoins circulating today, they represent the largest real-world asset application of blockchain technology. 

Stablecoins, like USDC or USDT, are digital currencies pegged to fiat money, functioning as a bridge between the crypto ecosystem and traditional finance.

According to Nathan Allman, CEO of Ondo Finance, stablecoins exemplify how RWAs bring efficiency and liquidity to assets that, typically, wouldn’t have these characteristics in the same way. Discussions at Consensus 2025 explored how this can be expanded into other categories with similar potential.

The Benefits of Real World Assets

RWAs offer significant benefits, reshaping industries that have long been inefficient or inaccessible for many. Here are two primary advantages:

1. Accessibility

Historically, some assets, like private equity or real estate, have been reserved for the wealthy. For example, in the U.S., such investments often require you to be an accredited investor, leaving regular investors out of the equation. Real world assets, through tokenization, can democratize access.

Johann Kerbrat, Head of Robinhood Crypto, explained it well at Consensus 2025, asking, “How many people can afford a house in New York? With fractionalization through tokenization, you can get a piece of it. It makes it a lot more accessible for everybody.” 

Investors can now own small portions of traditionally expensive assets and even use them in DeFi applications, such as lending or borrowing.

2. Efficiency

Traditional financial systems struggle with inefficiencies, such as lengthy settlement times, high fees, and the reliance on multiple intermediaries. 

RWAs overcome these hurdles by leveraging blockchain technology. Carlos Domingo, CEO of Securitize, highlighted at Consensus, “RWAs are anything that has intrinsic value in the real world, using a better ledger to manage it. Tokenization allows you to move them around more efficiently and provides new functionality.”

For businesses, this could mean cost savings on transactions and faster settlement times. For individuals, it could be as simple as being able to buy, sell, or transfer tokens seamlessly worldwide, at any time.

Why the Interest in RWAs Right Now?

The buzz around RWAs isn’t new, but its urgency and appeal have heightened recently. There are a few key reasons:

Push for Global Adoption

According to Johann Kerbrat at Consensus 2025, jurisdictions that establish clear regulatory frameworks for RWAs will inevitably lead the charge in adoption. 

“The first regulated countries to encourage RWAs to come in will have a huge advantage over the rest of the world,” he remarked. 

By providing clarity, governments can encourage innovation and spark new use cases for businesses.

Rapid Advancements in Technology

The blockchain has matured significantly in recent years, providing efficient, scalable, and secure infrastructure to support RWAs. The evolution has unlocked opportunities that weren’t feasible in the early days of the technology.

Shift in Financial Behavior

Economic uncertainties in some regions of the world, shifting interest rates, and a desire for better functionality in financial assets are driving both institutional and individual investors toward RWAs. They offer alternatives that feel more tangible and secure, even for crypto skeptics.

The Consensus at Consensus 

At Consensus 2025, alongside expert panels and discussions on RWAs, influential voices in the space agreed on a central theme. RWAs are no longer an abstract concept; they are here, they are growing, and they are ready to redefine how traditional and digital finance converge.

Jim Hiltner from Superstate explained the added value RWAs bring to the table, saying, “When you tokenize something that is available in the real world, you upgrade its functionality. You provide more access. It’s mobile. It’s self-controlled.” 

With this kind of transformation, it isn’t hard to imagine a widespread shift from traditional asset management to blockchain-powered solutions.

Building Bridges Through RWA Adoption

Real world assets represent the next frontier in crypto, offering tangible advancements in accessibility, functionality, and efficiency. Consensus 2025 showcased why RWAs are not just another fleeting trend but a fundamental shift in how we think about ownership and finance.

The idea of owning a piece of a New York apartment or tokenizing private equity isn’t just a pipe dream anymore. With blockchain tech, it’s within reach for people around the globe.

If you’re curious about how RWAs can work for you, keep learning, stay informed, and build your bridge into this exciting space.