RWA tokenization has overtaken DeFi as the #1 sector Web3 founders are building in; Mantle saw strong H1 growth with 155 tokenized equities, $2B Franklin Templeton ETF, and $955M stablecoin market cap.
Tech & Launches ·
Real-world assets and tokenization have surpassed decentralized finance as the leading sector for Web3 builders, with 29% of founders now focused on RWAs compared to 23% on DeFi, according to recent Proof of Talk data. Among institutional investors, 92% of surveyed funds ranked RWAs as a priority area. Mantle experienced notable growth during the first half of the year, facilitating 155 tokenized equities on continuous trading cycles and hosting Franklin Templeton's approximately $2 billion ETF alongside approximately $90 million in RWA-focused DeFi total value locked.
The infrastructure underpinning these developments extends beyond simple asset tokenization. Building viable onchain markets requires solving for liquidity provision, distribution channels, lending mechanisms, institutional connectivity, and settlement infrastructure—challenges that distinguishing RWA platforms from one another. Mantle's ecosystem reflected these priorities through its listing of tokenized equities from inception and a stablecoin market that grew to roughly $955 million, representing 120% year-over-year expansion.
The broader tokenized asset market has already reached an estimated $28 billion in live value according to RWA.xyz, though institutional projections for the coming decade vary widely, ranging from $2 trillion to $30 trillion or higher. What specific regulatory pathways, custody models, or liquidity mechanisms will determine which platforms capture meaningful share remains an open question.