Tokenized Real-World Assets Gain Momentum at Consensus Hong Kong 2026

Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are rapidly emerging as one of the most transformative trends in digital finance, according to industry leaders speaking at Consensus Hong Kong 2026. During a panel featuring Evan Auyang, Group President at Animoca Brands; Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Digital Assets and Blockchain at Mastercard; Nicola White, VP of Crypto Institutions at Robinhood; and moderator Marcin Kazmierczak, Co-founder of RedStone, experts emphasized the growing institutional demand for blockchain-based financial products.

The discussion reinforced BlackRock COO Rob Goldstein’s statement that digital ledgers represent the most significant advancement in finance since the invention of double-entry bookkeeping 700 years ago. Panelists agreed that blockchain technology and asset tokenization are reshaping capital markets by improving transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.

Currently, tokenized RWAs remain largely driven by institutional investors. Demand is concentrated in tokenized money market funds, U.S. Treasuries, stablecoin integrations, and collateral optimization solutions. Products such as BlackRock’s BUIDL fund and tokenized offerings connected to Robinhood and Bitstamp demonstrate how traditional finance and crypto infrastructure are converging.

Despite institutional momentum, retail adoption of tokenized assets is still limited. Few audience members at the event reported holding tokenized RWAs in their personal wallets, highlighting a gap between institutional innovation and mainstream participation. However, regulatory clarity in Europe is creating favorable conditions for tokenized listed equities, potentially accelerating broader adoption.

Beyond government bonds and money market funds, panelists identified private credit, real estate, art, and private equity as high-potential sectors for tokenization. As more companies choose to remain private longer, investor demand for fractional ownership and 24/7 market access is increasing. Blockchain-based tokenization could unlock liquidity in traditionally illiquid markets, opening access to trillions of dollars in assets.

The overall consensus at Consensus Hong Kong 2026 was clear: tokenized real-world assets have moved beyond hype and are delivering tangible institutional utility. The next phase of growth will likely depend on retail onboarding and regulatory advancements, positioning RWAs as a cornerstone of the future digital asset ecosystem.