Real World Assets (RWA): A Much Needed Next Step for Crypto

A clear opportunity exists to infuse more value into the crypto market, and there is a need to do just that if crypto-assets are to be taken seriously and widely adopted.

While speculation is still the primary activity taking place in the market right now, the emergence of decentralized finance in 2020 showed a path forward that doesn’t only revolve around predicting and measuring price movements.

After witnessing many substantial leaps in crypto tech over the past few years, we can now start to look ahead to the opportunities for building new assets classes that take crypto in a direction which appeals to mainstream folks and generates true value as a standard.

Real World Assets are a bridge between the existing crypto market, real world resources and assets, and the mainstream financial market, as a mechanism which provides a range of benefits to all involved.

RWAs — the First Real Alternative to Stablecoins

While stablecoins have gained significant traction as a means of providing stability within the crypto market, RWAs offer the first compelling alternative.

Both stablecoins and RWAs aim to address the volatility associated with cryptocurrencies, but RWAs offer an additional layer of value by being backed by real-world assets.

Similar to stablecoins, RWAs provide a relatively stable store of value, allowing users to preserve their wealth and hedge against market fluctuations.

However, unlike stablecoins that are typically pegged to fiat currencies or algorithms, RWAs derive their stability from the tangible assets backing them, such as real estate, luxury cars, or physical gold.

This underlying asset backing instills confidence and offers a reliable anchor in a volatile crypto market.

The Benefits of RWAs

Stability and Security

RWAs combine the benefits of blockchain technology with the stability of real-world assets.

By tokenizing these assets, RWAs create a transparent and secure environment where ownership is recorded on an immutable ledger. This ensures trust and reduces counterparty risk, enhancing the overall security of the asset class.

Accessibility and Fractional Ownership

One of the significant advantages of RWAs is their ability to fractionalize ownership, making previously illiquid assets accessible to a broader range of investors.

Fractional ownership allows individuals to invest in high-value assets, such as real estate or artworks, without the need for substantial capital outlay. RWAs democratize access to asset classes that were once reserved for a select few, enabling greater portfolio diversification.

Yield Generation (yRWA)

Beyond stability, yield-bearing RWAs (yRWA) provide an additional avenue for generating income within the crypto market.

yRWAs offer investors the opportunity to earn a stream of yield or income from the underlying asset.

This income can be derived from rental payments, dividends, interest, or other revenue streams associated with the asset.

The inclusion of yield-bearing assets within the RWA ecosystem presents new possibilities for investors seeking both stability and income generation.

Why the Crypto Market is Ready for RWAs

Maturing Infrastructure

The crypto market has undergone significant infrastructure development, with robust blockchain networks and decentralized exchanges in place.

These advancements provide a solid foundation for the tokenization and trading of real-world assets, allowing for seamless integration of RWAs into the existing ecosystem.

Growing Demand for Stability

As the crypto market continues to attract mainstream attention, the need for stability becomes increasingly pronounced.

TRAs address this demand by offering a secure and reliable investment option backed by tangible assets.

This stability appeals to both individual investors seeking a hedge against volatility and institutional players looking to diversify their portfolios.

Enhanced Liquidity

The tokenization of real-world assets through RWAs enhances liquidity by breaking down barriers to entry and enabling fractional ownership.

This increased liquidity benefits both asset owners, who can unlock value from illiquid assets, and investors, who gain access to a broader range of investment opportunities.

uRWA and yRWA: Differentiating Utility and Yield-Bearing RWAs

Within the realm of real world assets, there are two distinct categories: uRWA and yRWA.

These categories differentiate between utility-only assets and yield-bearing assets, providing clarity regarding the nature of the RWA tokens and their regulatory implications.

uRWA (Utility-Only Assets)

uTRA tokens represent utility-only assets within the RWA ecosystem.

These tokens serve as a means of accessing and utilizing specific services, products, or ecosystems associated with the underlying asset.

uRWAs are not considered investment vehicles and are classified as utility tokens rather than securities. The primary purpose of uRWA tokens is to enable seamless participation in the functionalities offered by the RWA ecosystem.

Holders of uRWA tokens may enjoy exclusive rights, benefits, or privileges within the associated platform or network.

For instance, uRWA tokens may grant access to special features, discounts, or unique experiences related to the underlying asset.

yRWA (Yield-Bearing Assets)

In contrast, yRWA tokens represent yield-bearing assets within the RWA ecosystem.

These tokens provide investors with an opportunity to earn a stream of yield or income from the underlying asset. The income generated by yRWA tokens may stem from various sources, including rental payments, dividends, interest, revenue sharing, or other income streams associated with the asset.

As yRWA tokens offer an expectation of profit derived from the efforts of others, they may be classified as securities and subject to relevant regulations.

Investors who hold yRWA tokens have the potential to participate in the financial benefits associated with the underlying asset, making them an attractive option for those seeking both stability and income generation within the crypto market.

Differentiating uRWA and yRWA tokens ensures regulatory compliance and helps investors make informed decisions based on their investment goals.

By clarifying the distinction between utility-only assets and yield-bearing assets, the RWA model provides a clear framework for understanding the rights and benefits associated with different types of RWA tokens.

Conclusion

We are on the cusp of the real world being widely tokenized.

In the same way that businesses moving online made commerce faster and more efficient, asset ownership moving onto blockchains will create new markets and make the commerce surrounding them vastly more efficient.

This doesn’t just count for massive multimillion dollar commercial properties and transnational resource trading. The fractionalization and tokenization of real world assets from the micro to the macro can yield new opportunities for business, and new efficiencies for buyers and sellers.

One day we will all look back and tell people about when crypto tokens used to be often backed by nothing.

We’re choosing not to wait for that time to come, but instead to be a part of bringing about a better reality.