Tokenized asset market could hit $15 trillion by 2030
The market for tokenized Real-World Assets (RWA), currently valued at $1–2 trillion, could grow to $15 trillion over the next five years. This opinion was voiced by Volodymyr Nosov, CEO of the crypto exchange WhiteBIT, during the Valencia Digital Summit.
The main reason for this is the broad participation of institutional investors in the process of blockchain technology integration. Major financial players like BlackRock and JPMorgan are consistently exploring the potential of tokenization and blockchain-based assets.
Institutional Momentum Fuels Tokenization
Tokenization of real-world assets is not just a trend, it's an economic revolution. With institutional investors moving towards tokenized assets, we will witness remarkable growth in this market.stated Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and CEO of WhiteBIT, during his presentation at the summit.
The projected near eightfold expansion can primarily be achieved because the traditional finance sector has begun to view tokenization not as an exotic novelty, but as a way to simplify asset ownership and transfer.
Tokenization provides reliable fractional ownership, cross-border 24/7 trading, and programmable compliance features that traditional securities infrastructure cannot easily replicate. Real estate, commodities, private equity, and bonds underscores the primary targets for tokenization as institutions seek increased efficiency and expanded market access.
Cost reduction potential measured in billions
Nosov also emphasized the tangible cost savings blockchain could bring to existing financial systems. Banks alone could save $8-12 billion annually on international transfers by adopting blockchain infrastructure, eliminating intermediaries and reducing settlement times from days to minutes or seconds.
These efficiency gains stem from blockchain's ability to enable direct peer-to-peer value transfer without requiring multiple intermediary institutions to verify and process each transaction. Cross-border payments currently involve correspondent banking networks that add time, cost, and complexity to international money movement.
Developer shortage constraining growth
Nosov cautioned that a shortage of skilled blockchain developers could slow the sector’s growth.
In Europe alone, the number of blockchain jobs has increased by 40% compared to last year. However, there is a problem: the number of developers capable of creating blockchain products is very limited – there are only 5,000-7,000 of them across Europe,he noted.
This talent bottleneck occurs as demand for blockchain implementation accelerates across financial services, supply chain management, digital identity, and other sectors. The gap between available developers and market demand suggests potential delays in tokenization adoption timelines unless education and training programs scale significantly.
Crypto adoption reaching critical mass
Nosov linked the rise of tokenization to broader trends in cryptocurrency adoption. Over 600 million cryptocurrency users exist globally, while total digital asset market capitalization has surpassed $4 trillion – representing 70% growth in just the past year.
More than 130 countries are exploring Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) as part of monetary system modernization efforts. These CBDC pilots show that governments increasingly view blockchain as a way to make payments faster and more inclusive.
The convergence of institutional tokenization interest, CBDC development, and expanding retail crypto adoption suggests a multi-layered transformation of global financial infrastructure rather than isolated technological experimentation.
Market structure implications
If tokenized assets reach $15 trillion, they could transform how financial assets are issued, traded, and settled. Traditional securities exchanges, clearing houses, and custody providers face potential disruption as blockchain-based alternatives offer faster settlement, lower costs, and programmable compliance features.
However, regulatory frameworks remain incomplete in most jurisdictions. Clear legal standards for tokenized asset ownership, investor protection, and cross-border interoperability will determine whether projected growth materializes within the five-year timeline or faces extended delays.
The institutional involvement from firms like BlackRock and JPMorgan suggests confidence that regulatory clarity will emerge, enabling traditional finance integration with blockchain infrastructure rather than parallel system development.
How quickly the market grows will depend on regulation, institutional adoption, developer capacity, and the real value tokenization delivers to investors. Current momentum indicates tokenization will play a significant role in financial markets' next phase, even if precise growth rates remain uncertain.
About Valencia Digital Summit
Valencia Digital Summit is one of Europe's largest digital technology conferences, providing a platform for exploring not only cryptocurrency and tokenization trends but also broader business transformation toward new technologies.
Among the event's speakers, in addition to Volodymyr Nosov, were CEOs from companies like Glovo and Booking.com, as well as Hollywood actress Kelly Rutherford, who is currently investing in technology startups.
Recommended