The surge in tokenized assets has captured the attention of investors worldwide, reaching a staggering $23.6 billion as they seek always-on markets. DeFiLlama reports a 66% increase in 2026, illustrating the growing appeal of these digital assets.
Rise of Tokenized Assets in 2026
Starting the year at $14.1 billion, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) have seen consistent growth. These assets, particularly tokenized funds backed by US Treasury bills, bonds, and money market funds, dominate the sector. According to DeFiLlama, tokenized funds make up 44.5% of the market, valued at $10.5 billion, followed by tokenized gold and commodities at $6.5 billion, and equities at $4 billion.
Driving Forces Behind the Growth
Industry experts suggest that the growth isn’t purely due to tokenization but also the improved distribution and market access. An RWA.xyz spokesperson highlighted the ease of access and use of these products as key factors. Platforms like Ondo and xStocks have played significant roles, with tokenized stocks surpassing $1 billion in on-chain value.
Investor Preferences for 24/7 Markets
Ross Shemeliak, co-founder of Stobox, noted that investors are increasingly frustrated with traditional markets that operate on limited hours and involve multiple intermediaries. This dissatisfaction has spurred interest in blockchain-based financial instruments, legitimizing the tokenization model as major firms experiment with blockchain versions of traditional assets.
As more investors gravitate towards these innovative solutions, the tokenized US Treasury market alone exceeded $10 billion in market cap by February, further climbing to $11.13 billion in March.
The trend indicates a significant shift towards financial markets that operate without traditional constraints, offering flexibility and round-the-clock access.
