RWAs rise 260% in 2025, driven by US crypto regulations

The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) surged in the first half of 2025 as increased regulatory clarity fueled broader adoption of blockchain-based financial products.

Real-world asset tokenization refers to financial and other tangible assets minted on the immutable blockchain ledger, increasing investor accessibility and trading opportunities for these assets.

The RWA market surged more than 260% during the first half of 2025, surpassing $23 billion in total valuation. It was $8.6 billion at the beginning of the year, according to a Binance Research report shared with Cointelegraph.

Tokenized private credit led the RWA market boom, accounting for about 58% of the market share, followed by tokenized US Treasury debt, which accounted for 34%.

“As regulatory frameworks become clearer, the sector is poised for continued growth and increased participation from major industry players,” the report said.

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RWAs have no dedicated regulatory framework and are considered securities by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, the sector still benefits from regulatory developments in the broader crypto space.

On May 29, the SEC issued new guidance on cryptocurrency staking, a development that was seen as a step toward “more sensible regulation,” marking a significant win for the industry, Alison Mangiero, head of staking policy at the Crypto Council for Innovation, told Cointelegraph.

The industry is awaiting a full Senate vote on the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, which aims to set clear rules for stablecoin collateralization.

Other analysts pointed to Bitcoin’s (BTC) temporary price consolidations as the main driver for the RWA market’s growth, as a safer investment option with a predictable yield.

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Corporate FOMO fuels Bitcoin balance sheets

A renewed corporate “FOMO,” short for fear of missing out, is inspiring increasingly more companies to adopt Bitcoin on their balance sheets.

At least 124 public companies are now holding Bitcoin as part of their corporate treasury, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET.

While the summer may bring a slowdown in overall crypto market activity, broader macro conditions and regulatory developments will largely dictate the pace of corporate Bitcoin adoption, a Binance Research spokesperson told Cointelegraph, adding:

“Corporate BTC adoption is driven by long-term balance sheet strategy, treasury diversification and capital-raising activity.”

Long-term investment perspectives will likely continue driving Bitcoin’s corporate adoption, rather than “short-term liquidity or seasonal market dynamics,” the researchers added.

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