The First Ever ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later’ for RWAs: Unlockd x Polytrade

Transforming Tokenized Assets Investing with Flexible Financing

Berni Bouzas
Unlockd
4 min readAug 5, 2024

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Ever wished you could invest in high-value assets without emptying your wallet?

This is now possible.

Unlockd is thrilled to announce our partnership with Polytrade, bringing the first-ever “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) option to the world of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).

RWAs Meet BNPL: A Game-Changer

Imagine browsing Polytrade’s marketplace, eyeing that shiny gold bar or rare diamond, and thinking, “If only I could spread out the cost…”

Now you can.

Thanks to the Unlockd SDK, Polytrade is integrating our open-ended loan functionality directly into their checkout process.

Here’s how it works:

  1. When you’re ready to make a purchase at the Polytrade marketplace, you’ll see the BNPL option powered by Unlockd at checkout. Select it, and our system springs into action. We’ll conduct a real-time appraisal of your tokenized assets to determine the appropriate Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio for your loan.
  2. Next, you’ll choose your down payment. This might be a minimum amount based on the asset’s value and LTV ratio, or you might decide to pay more upfront. Once you’ve made your down payment, we’ll originate a loan for the remaining balance, using your existing tokenized assets as collateral.
  3. Here’s the cool part: the seller gets paid in full, right away. No waiting, no risk — just instant settlement from our liquidity pool.
  4. Now, about repayment — this is where we’re different. Your loan is open-ended, giving you the flexibility to repay at your own pace. No fixed schedules, no pressure. Just keep an eye on your loan’s health factor, which we monitor continuously. If it dips too low, you might need to add collateral or make a partial repayment.

Throughout this process, your collateralized assets stay secure in your Unlockd Account. They’re still yours — we just make sure they stay put until you’ve repaid the loan.

And once you’ve settled up? Those assets are fully released back to you, no strings attached.

“This partnership between Unlockd and Polytrade addresses a critical gap in the RWA market. As the first ever RWA BNPL functionality, we’re making high-value assets more accessible and revolutionizing how people interact with and invest in tokenized real-world assets.” — Carlos Otermin, Unlockd COO and Co-Founder.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about making luxury more accessible (though that’s a nice perk).

It’s about democratizing access to RWA investments.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just dipping your toes into the world of tokenized assets, this BNPL option opens up new possibilities.

And for our developer community? The Unlockd SDK is doing the heavy lifting here. It’s handling everything from risk assessment to loan origination, all seamlessly integrated into Polytrade’s platform.

It’s a testament to what’s possible when innovative platforms join forces.

“At Polytrade, our mission has always been to bridge the gap between traditional finance and DeFi. This partnership with Unlockd not only democratizes access to high-value assets but also revolutionizes how people invest in RWAs. With BNPL we’re making it possible for everyone to participate in the financial revolution. This is a game-changer for both seasoned investors and newcomers alike.” — Piyush Gupta, Polytrade Founder.

Looking Ahead

We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with RWA-backed lending.

As more assets get tokenized and more platforms integrate our SDK, we’re envisioning a future where your digital wallet is as diverse and dynamic as the real world itself.

So, whether you’re eyeing that rare collectible or looking to diversify your portfolio with some tokenized precious metals, get ready: Unlockd and Polytrade are about to change the game.

“The integration of Unlockd’s SDK into Polytrade’s platform exemplifies our mission to make sophisticated financial tools available to everyone. By offering flexible, open-ended loans for RWAs, we’re opening up a world of investment opportunities that were previously out of reach for many.” — Jorge Schnura, Unlockd CEO and Co-Founder.

Our teams are working tirelessly to bring this groundbreaking BNPL functionality to life in the coming months.

Want to be among the first to experience BNPL for RWAs?

Keep your eyes peeled for our official launch announcement. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been building.

The future of finance is just around the corner, and it’s more accessible than ever. Stay tuned!

And developers, if you’re itching to bring this functionality to your platform, our SDK is waiting for you. Let’s build the future of finance together, one tokenized asset at a time.

About Unlockd

Unlockd is the first permissionless protocol offering instant loans backed by real-world assets (RWAs). Our AI-driven platform provides dynamic Loan-To-Value ratios and open-ended loans through an efficient Peer-To-Pool model. Unlockd’s unique features include full asset custody for users, multi-asset collateral bundling, and support for diverse tokenized assets.

Currently on Ethereum and Polygon and expanding to other networks, Unlockd aims to democratize RWA liquidity, making previously exclusive financial opportunities accessible to all.

About Polytrade

Polytrade is at the forefront of revolutionizing financial technology for users, investors, lenders, and borrowers alike. With their RWA Marketplace, Polytrade is bringing real-world assets together in unprecedented ways. Driven by the belief that blockchain will fundamentally transform financial systems, Polytrade is committed to building an efficient and vibrant new frontier in finance for decades to come.

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Berni Bouzas
Unlockd

Business Development Lead @ Unlockd & maxAPY. Data Engineer. Storyteller. Prev: esports, data & copywriting. Now: RWAs, tokenization, Web3, AI, startups