Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are rapidly emerging as the modern equivalent of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to CoinFund president Christopher Perkins. As traditional finance struggles with accessibility and efficiency, RWAs offer a blockchain-based solution that could transform investment opportunities for retail investors globally.
How RWA Tokens Mirror the ETF Revolution
ETFs reshaped traditional investing when they debuted in 1993, allowing average investors to gain exposure to complex financial instruments through simple, liquid shares. RWA tokens are doing the same — but for traditionally inaccessible private markets.
“I believe tokens are the new ETFs,” Perkins said, highlighting how tokenized securities enable 24/7 trading and global market access, unlike traditional financial instruments locked behind strict accreditation rules and limited hours.
A BlackRock study cited by Perkins shows that 81% of U.S. companies generating over $100 million annually are private, meaning most of the most innovative firms remain out of reach for everyday investors.
Tokenization Expands Investor Access to Private Markets
Through blockchain-based tokens, assets such as private equity, real estate, art, and even commodities can now be fractionalized, traded, and accessed globally with reduced entry barriers. Key benefits include:
- Asset fractionalization for lower minimum investment
- 24/7 trading and instant settlement
- New DeFi collateral through tokenized real-world value
- Transparency via on-chain transaction histories
“Public markets are broken,” Perkins added, noting a 50% decline in public companies since the 1990s and weakening capital formation.
Platforms Embrace Tokenized Equities Despite Regulatory Uncertainty
Brokerage platform Robinhood recently launched tokenized stock trading for European users, offering exposure to companies like OpenAI and SpaceX through synthetic tokens. These instruments offer price exposure but no ownership or voting rights — a reminder of the regulatory complexities still surrounding RWA tokenization.
OpenAI distanced itself from the tokens, stressing they don’t represent real equity in the firm.
Nonetheless, private companies continue to explore tokenized listings, drawn by faster liquidity, global investor access, and lower fundraising costs.
RWA Tokens Are Reshaping Capital Markets
Real-world asset tokens are more than a trend — they represent a systemic shift in how capital is formed, accessed, and traded. With innovators like CoinFund and platforms like Robinhood leading the charge, tokenization could define the next era of global finance, just as ETFs did three decades ago.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.