56% of tokenized assets show zero weekly movement despite $60B market size, highlighting the gap between issuance and functional secondary markets.
RWA & Tokenization ·
The tokenised-asset market reached approximately $60B in size according to a recent Forbes analysis, yet a significant portion of these assets show minimal trading activity. Around 56% of measured tokenised products recorded no weekly movement, suggesting that converting assets into digital form does not automatically generate secondary-market demand or price discovery mechanisms.
This gap between issuance volume and functional liquidity reveals a fundamental challenge in real-world asset tokenisation: putting an asset onchain is distinct from building an operational market around it. Fragmented networks, absent redemption clarity, and limited counterparty participation can all coexist with large nominal asset values, leaving issued tokens illiquid despite their technical availability.
The distinction matters for how the tokenisation space may evolve. Rather than competing solely on issuance size, infrastructure providers that address transparent reserves, reliable settlement, qualified custody, and accessible distribution channels may shape the next phase of RWA adoption. Key requirements include collateral utility and active market participants—elements that extend beyond tokenisation's technical mechanics.