Real-world assets known as RWAs have come up as a unique innovation in the cryptocurrency space. These assets turn real-world assets into digital assets through the tokenization process. They also fill in the gap between blockchain technology and traditional finance. RWA projects are also bringing new opportunities for investors, traders, and crypto enthusiasts as well. In this blog, we have combined the top 15 RWA projects in cryptocurrency in 2024.
What Are RWAs?
Real-world assets are digital tokens that represent physical and financial assets present outside the blockchain and cryptocurrency worlds. These assets include real estate, bonds, commodities, artwork, and more. Real-world assets are tokenized by bringing all the assets on the blockchain.
This is done by replacing private data with a series of non-private data that is generally created called a token. This tokenization process in data security and payment processors is done through cryptography. There are multiple types of RWAs : real estate, climate credits, private credits, public equities, commodities, metals, markets, and data feeds as well.
Top 15 RWA Projects Of 2024
RWA projects provide stability more than cryptocurrencies, as real-world assets have a more steady price range that does not fluctuate as much as cryptocurrency. The tokenization projects are also much faster and easier. The best part about RWA projects is that you can have access to them from anywhere around the world without any restrictions. Here are the top 15 RWA projects of 2024 that are leading the year.
1. Algorand ( ALGO )
Algorand is a blockchain platform that was created to address the issue of “blockchain trilemma.” This RWA project is developed by Silvio Micali. He is a well-known computer scientist and also a Turning Award winner. This project is a mix of security, decentralization, and scalability. Algorand ( ALGO ) uses Aglorand Standard Assets (ASA) as a framework that enables users to manage and create multiple types of cryptocurrencies directly on the platform. ASA is the main functionality of the project that makes it easy to tokenize any type of asset while using security, speed of network, and scalability.
Aglorand provides high-speed transactions and handles about 1,000 transactions per second while charging only minimal fees. This makes this project a good choice for quick processing. Aglorand’s proof of stake function randomly chooses validators from the token holders.
This allows the power to be distributed among all the token holders rather than small groups. This project also supports smart contracts through the Aglorand Smart Contracts ( ASC1s ) allowing developers to make DApps and deploy their products directly on the blockchain.
2. Ondo Finance
Ondo Finance is the largest RWA project or protocol of 2024. This project was founded by Nathan Allman in 2023. This is a blockchain-based protocol that offers institutional-grade services and financial projects. Ondo Financs focuses more on multiple things on the platform, like tokenizing stability, yield generation, and traditional bonds, to provide project participants with conventional financial systems along with blockchain user accessibility. Ondo has included different tokens in its different blockchain networks, like Solana.
This project offers products like OUSG, which is a tokenized version of a BlackRock short-term US Treasury ETF, and OMMF, which is a tokenized BlackRock money market fund offering on-chain exposure to traditional financial instruments. Ondo Finance also introduces different vaults that help in isolating risks and allow lenders to specify preferences for collateral and fun usage. USDY is Ondos’s yield-bearing alternative to traditional stablecoins, combining stability with potential for earning yield.
3. Ethena
Ethena is a unique RWA project that is known for its unique function of combining stablecoins with tokenized gold. It offers a very different value proposition that turns out to be beneficial for crypto investors and traditional investors who are interested in gold.
Ethena has a hybrid digital asset and a flexible blockchain technology, which results in stablecoins that are not only backed by gold but provide ease of use in the digital asset market. It uses advanced blockchain technology where gold is tokenized and backed by physical gold. This platform also incorporates smart contracts to automate the transactions and provide transparency.
4. Centrifuge
Centrifuge is one of the largest RWA protocols co-founded by CEO Lucas Vogelsang. The main goal of this project is to reduce the cost of capital for small and middle-size enterprises while offering a stable stream of income sources. Centrifuge provides SMEs with blockchain technology by tokenizing real-world assets into collateral. It creates a transparent and accessible financial system for borrowers and lenders.
Centrifuge tokenizes tangible and non-tangible assets. Its liquidity pools allow investors to provide liquidity to tokenized assets. Centrifuge is supported by Centrifuge DAO, which is an on-chain governance system. This project also uses KYC, investor checks and technical audits as well. CFG is the native token of Centrifuge used for all transactions and governance as well.
5. OpenEden
OpenEden is a unique real-world asset ( RWA ) project that utilizes blockchain technology to expose investors to US Treasury bills. This project was founded by Jeremy Ng and Eugene NG in December 2021. OpenEden was launched in 2022 and has TBILL Vault as its main product, which allows users to mint the TBILL tokens. These tokens are backed by 1:1 by the U.S. Treasury Bill held in segregated accounts.
Participants can mint tokens any time of the day. This project offers daily portfolio reports and monthly attestations and has added smart contract audits to ensure security and transparency.
6. RealT Tokens
RealT is one of the top RWA projects in the cryptocurrency industry. It was founded by Remy and Jean-Marc Jacobson. Both brothers have experience in real estate and blockchain technology. This is a tokenization platform that focuses on real estate investment, and the network allows investors to buy into the US real estate market from around the world.
RealT tokens use blockchain technology for security and transparency as well. It also enables investors to buy fractional shares in real estate properties allowing investors to invest in high-value assets. RealT’s RMM ( RealT Mortgage Market ) platform allows users to use the real estate assets they bought within the DeFi system. This project has also introduced a walletless feature.
7. Tokeny
Tokeny is an RWA project created for issuing and managing digital securities. In 2024, this project has become the top choice of investors. This platform has a very strong focus on regulations and compliance and ensures that all the tokenized assets on the platform meet regulatory requirements.
T-REX is Tokeny’s protocol, which is widely known as a standard for tokenized securities and ensures that all asset issues on Tokenomy get the highest compliance. In 2024 as well, this platform has not stopped innovating. It regularly upgrades and adds new features to stay up-to-date. It is playing an important role in the tokenization of RWA.
8. stUSDT
stUSDT is the 1st RWA project for the TRON ecosystem. It is managed by JustLend DAO and supported by the founder of TRON, Justin Sus. This project tokenizes the U.S. Treasury Bills and other real-world assets. It also has a decentralized platform where users earn passive income from tokenized RWAs. stUSDT tokens give ownership of U.S. Treasury bills and other real-world assets. The project has high liquidity, where users can mint the tokens anytime they want. stUSTD uses TRON blockchain technology to provide an investment platform for the users as well.
9. Maple RWA
Maple Finance RWA is a decentralized finance project that aims to provide high-quality lending opportunities to institutional and individual accredited investors. This RWA project specializes in overcollateralized lending, which is secured by digital assets. Maple Finance allows users to lend directly to the best borrowers in the digital asset ecosystem. It also uses blockchain technology to provide transparency in risk management. The project also provides an on-chain cash management feature.
10. Securitize
Securitize is a platform or project that provides the issuing and managing of tokenized assets. This platform will become more known in 2024 because it has improved its ability to handle a wide range of assets, including equity, real estate, and debt. This project is different from others because it ensures that all the tokenized securities on the platform meet their highest legal standards. This feature provides new opportunities for investors, providing them with secure space for blockchain-based investments. The Securitize platform integrates with different blockchains, including Ethereum. Moreover, this project has also introduced automated compliance features that ensure all transactions meet regulatory needs.
11. tZERO
tZERO is a project that facilitates the trading of tokenized assets. In the year 2024, tZERO has continued to innovate to enhance trading experiences for investors. It provides liquidity to illiquid assets by enabling secondary trading of digital securities. tZERO has also come up with a blockchain protocol that ensures secure and transparent trading and it also integrates with private and public blockchains, allowing greater scalability. tZERO is making it very easy for investors to buy and sell digital securities by offering a platform with secondary trading.
12. Polymath
Polymath has created a space for itself in the tokenization space. This project has a decentralized platform that simplifies the creation of tokenized assets. Polymath remains one of the top RWA projects in 2024. Its main focus is on security tokens and a different range of tools that make it easy for businesses to build and issue security tokens, reducing any barriers. Polymath has introduced a blockchain for security tokens called Polymesh. It is also helping to legitimize the RWA tokenization market and attract more investors.
13. Meld Gold
Meld Gold is an RWA leader in tokenizing metals, mainly gold. It offers investors to buy, sell, and trade tokenized gold on their platform while providing them with secure and liquid investment options. Meld Gold utilizes blockchain technology to ensure the security and transparency of all the transactions and integrates traditional gold markets so that the digital gold is backed by real physical gold stored in vaults.
This project uses Algorand blockchain technology to ensure a secure trading experience for traders. Meld Gold also has a mobile app now where you can manage your investments anywhere and have more control.
14. Mantra
Mantra is a decentralized finance platform that has gained a lot of attention in the RWA tokenization space. This project is made to provide a variety of DeFi services like staking, lending, and tokenization of real-world assets. It has a very strong community-driven approach where token holders can take part in the platform’s decision-making processes. You can also find unique lending and staking solutions that allow investors to earn rewards on their digital securities. Mantra also uses a multi-chain strategy, integrating with different blockchains like Binance, Polkadot, Ethereum, and Smart Chain. Mantra also had staking pools and liquidity farming features for investors.
15. Pendle
Pendle is an RWA project that mainly focuses on tokenizing financial derivatives and offers new ways to trade. This is a cross-chain platform that supports multiple blockchains like the BNB chain, Ethereum, and more.
It brings flexibility to yield farming and allows users to separate and trade principles and yield components of their assets as well. Users have the feature to hedge their exposure, or they can even bet on yield fluctuations. By doing this, Pendle enhances liquidity and allows users to choose between speculating on variable yields and fixed yields.
