Tokenized Stocks Are Gearing Up for a $1 Trillion Breakout

Overview:
Tokenized stocks — digital representations of real-world equities on the blockchain — are inching closer to a major milestone. Industry insiders now say that this rising asset class could top $1 trillion in market capitalization within the next few years. With growing interest from neobanks, Web3 wallets, and even traditional finance, tokenized equities are no longer a niche concept.

What Are Tokenized Stocks?

In simple terms, tokenized stocks are blockchain-based tokens that represent ownership in traditional stocks, like Apple or Tesla. These aren’t new companies or cryptocurrencies — they’re just digital twins of actual equities. Held on platforms like Ethereum, tokenized stocks offer faster, cheaper, and more global access to the US capital markets.

Tokenization falls under the broader umbrella of Real-World Assets (RWAs), which also includes tokenized real estate, Treasury Bills, commodities, and more. The appeal? Reduced friction, near-instant settlement, and round-the-clock access.

You can learn more about tokenized assets from CoinDesk, Investopedia, or Wikipedia.

Institutional Demand Surging in 2025

At the TokenizeThis conference in New York, two industry leaders shared their optimism for the sector's growth.

• Arnab Naskar, CEO of digital securities platform STOKR, stated that the market is "definitely" heading toward a multi-trillion-dollar scale.

• Anna Wroblewska, Chief Business Officer at Dinari, added that 2025 has seen an "explosion" in institutional interest, with demand pouring in from neobanks, fintechs, and traditional financial players.

According to Wroblewska, “We’ve had an enormous influx of demand from a much broader scope of potential partners than you might even imagine [...] it’s actually been really interesting.”

The increasing number of firms looking to onboard tokenized assets into their platforms signals a massive shift in market structure especially as regulatory clarity around digital securities improves.

Still a Small Fish For Now

Tokenized stocks currently account for just $350 million in market cap, according to data from RWA.xyz. That’s a tiny slice of the $18 billion RWA sector let alone the $50+ trillion US equities market, as reported by Siblis Research.

Despite this modest share, experts believe tokenized stocks are well-positioned to scale rapidly.

“There’s huge global demand for exposure to US public equities,” Wroblewska explained. “Tokenization makes it fast, efficient, and cost-effective.”

She noted how tokenized US Treasury Bills, which now boast nearly $6 billion in market cap, provide a real-world example of how efficient blockchain-based finance can be.

Why Tokenized Stocks Matter

Here’s why industry leaders are excited about the future of tokenized equities:

• Faster Settlement: Traditional stock trades settle in T+2 (two business days). Blockchain? Near-instant.

• Fractional Ownership: Even small investors can own slices of major US stocks.

• 24/7 Access: No need to wait for Wall Street’s opening bell.

• Global Reach: Investors from anywhere can tap into the US stock market without needing a brokerage in New York or London.

These benefits are not only attractive to retail investors but also to institutions, especially those looking for cost efficiency and market flexibility.

Coinbase Enters the Chat

Crypto exchange Coinbase is reportedly exploring the launch of tokenized versions of its own shares on Base, its Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution. If this happens, it would mark one of the first major US-listed companies to offer tokenized shares natively — potentially setting a powerful precedent.

Coinbase already plays a significant role in the tokenization landscape through its crypto infrastructure, and this move could boost on-chain equity trading significantly.

Global Outlook: A $30 Trillion Opportunity

Back in August, Colin Butler, Global Head of Institutional Capital at Movement Labs, described tokenized RWAs as a $30 trillion global opportunity. That includes everything from real estate to stocks, bonds, and commodities all being reimagined through blockchain.

“The future of finance is programmable,” Butler said. “If the user experience is better, faster, and cheaper, people will default to tokenized assets.”

That future may be closer than we think.

In-Depth Analysis: What’s Fueling the Boom?

• Digital Native Investors: Younger generations are more comfortable trading assets on blockchain than traditional brokerage platforms.

• Regulatory Shifts: Jurisdictions like Switzerland, Dubai, and Singapore have embraced tokenized securities with open arms.

• Cost Pressure on Brokers: As fees tighten, brokers seek more efficient ways to offer exposure to equities and tokenization fits the bill.

• Tokenized Treasury Bills’ Success: With nearly $6B in tokenized T-bills circulating, stocks could follow a similar growth path.

Final Thoughts

Tokenized stocks might still be in their early innings, but the trajectory is unmistakable. As regulatory clarity improves and technology evolves, the potential for tokenized equities to cross the $1 trillion threshold seems more likely by the day.

With institutions now aggressively onboarding blockchain-based solutions, this trend could redefine how we invest in traditional assets.

The trillion-dollar question isn’t if this happens — it’s when.

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