DigiTalk Podcast EP16 Recap : Tokenize It: RWAs Go Digital

The recent DigiTalk Episode 16 podcast assembled an impressive panel of RWA innovators including leaders from Asset Chain, E Money Network, Polytrade, Kula, and RWA Inc for an in-depth exploration of "Tokenize It: RWAs Go Digital." The conversation explored how tokenization is transforming traditional finance by addressing long-standing inefficiencies in market access, liquidity, and transparency.

 

 

Q1: Can you start by giving an overview of your project?

Asset Chain：

As the co-founder of Asset Chain, I've been immersed in the crypto space since 2016, primarily in an engineering capacity. Asset Chain is building infrastructure that enables anyone to tokenize assets globally, with a mission to drive financial inclusion.

Over the past year, we've developed our EVM-compatible layer one blockchain and recently concluded our incentivized testnet, which has recorded over 3 million transactions. With our mainnet launch approaching, our immediate goal is to bring substantial liquidity to real-world assets through a gamified liquidity mining campaign. This will ensure that when assets are launched on our trading engines, there will be significant liquidity available for them.

E Money Network：

I'm Raj from E Money Network, where we're building the first banking-finance ecosystem that bridges traditional finance and DeFi. Our mission is to eliminate the distinction between using regular finance apps and crypto - making the entire experience seamless so users don't feel like they're interacting with unfamiliar technology.

We achieve this through our KYC-compliant infrastructure where users receive an on-chain IBAN account. When holding fiat in this account, users get E Money tokens in their wallet that can be used interchangeably. We're currently operational in Europe, supporting users globally, with plans to add multiple currency options soon. Our unified KYC system allows users to complete verification once and interact with multiple RWA projects, significantly reducing compliance costs and improving onboarding.

We've also launched a physical global crypto credit card offering 2% unlimited cashback - unique in the ecosystem. Users can load crypto onto the card and use it like a standard credit card at over 150 merchants worldwide. The card can be ordered from 157 countries with direct delivery, providing a tangible bridge between crypto and everyday spending.

Polytrade：

As Chief Strategy Officer at Polytrade, I bring a traditional finance background from JP Morgan and venture capital, drawn to on-chain technology because I believe it represents the future evolution of financial markets.

Polytrade operates two core models. First, we run the largest tokenized asset marketplace - essentially an OpenSea or Amazon for tokenized assets. Users can search for, buy, trade, and fractionalize various assets from T-bills to collectibles, with leverage features in development that will allow borrowing against RWAs at checkout. Our vision is to be the comprehensive destination for anyone exploring real-world assets on-chain.

Our second business serves institutional clients, where we partner with MasterCard's MTN network and various banks, particularly in the UAE where we're headquartered. We've authored ERC6960, a specialized token standard for tokenized assets that includes features like multiple settlement options, scenario planning, and default handling - addressing real-world financial requirements that traditional standards don't cover.

Kula：

At Kuladao, we've been developing our impact investment vehicle for nearly four years, founded by three co-founders with a mission to redefine financial inclusion and ownership. We recognized that both traditional finance and web3 often prevent people from having real control over the value they create, with many DAOs and blockchain projects remaining under centralized control despite promises of participation.

We're building a truly decentralized system where ownership means genuine influence, shared governance, and tangible economic impact rather than speculation. By tokenizing real-world assets with intrinsic value - from timber and limestone to water and real estate - we create sustainable community-driven wealth that benefits everyone, not just elites. Even before our upcoming launch in 30 days, we've signed nine MOUs across countries including Zambia and Nepal, presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and won Bybit's Rising Web3 award.

Our core belief is that communities should be active participants in their financial futures, not just bystanders. Through our platform, we're bridging the gap between on-chain innovation and off-chain value, making financial empowerment globally accessible by turning undervalued assets into meaningful investment opportunities.

RWA Inc：

I'm Kevin Yunai, founder and CEO of RWA Inc, one of the largest real world assets organizations and investment ecosystems currently in the market. With numerous partners and a talented team behind us, we've built a comprehensive platform serving both sides of the RWA equation.

Our core business focuses on helping founders tokenize their assets, facilitate listings, and raise capital efficiently. Simultaneously, we connect investors with quality deal flow, ensuring they find opportunities aligned with their investment criteria. We're excited about our upcoming client launches and remain committed to advancing the real world assets space through our ecosystem.

 

Q2:What’s the biggest inefficiency or pain point in traditional finance that RWA tokenization is actually fixing? And how do you think that changes the game for investors and asset owners?

Polytrade:

The biggest inefficiencies in traditional finance that RWA tokenization addresses fall into three key areas. First is access - overlooked but critical. In emerging markets, tokenization provides access to commodities like gold, global bonds, and stocks that were previously unavailable. This explains why stablecoins have seen significant adoption in Latin America and parts of Asia - people want hard currency they couldn't access before.

Second is functionality, particularly through atomic transactions or what institutions call 'delivery versus payment.' Traditional finance can take up to seven days for cross-border settlements plus additional time for legal paperwork. Blockchain makes this instant, saving institutions significant capital that would otherwise be stuck in limbo and immediately allowing assets to earn returns. For banks, this efficiency alone represents enormous value.

Beyond these, tokenization enables fractionalization and unlocks new utility for assets. Even in developed markets where investors already have access to assets through brokers, tokenization enables instant leveraging. For example, while I can hold Tesla stock through Interactive Brokers, getting a loan against it traditionally is cumbersome, but on-chain this becomes seamless - something already possible today with tokenized assets like gold.

Asset Chain:

Asset tokenization unlocks significant benefits, particularly around liquidity. It enables global capital to flow into previously inaccessible markets, activating dormant cash reserves especially in developing economies. While some early attempts were crude or problematic, the concept demonstrates how traditionally illiquid assets can attract worldwide investment.

Beyond liquidity, tokenized assets become programmable financial building blocks. They can function as collateral for loans, be lent out, traded efficiently, and integrated into various DeFi protocols. This programmability allows assets to potentially generate more value than their physical counterparts by exposing them to broader, more efficient market pricing mechanisms.

 

Q3: From your experience, how does bringing real-world assets on-chain open up new opportunities for both traditional investors and people already in Web3? Are we seeing a shift in how capital moves between these two worlds?

Kula：

Kula brings liquidity to underserved markets by tokenizing governance rather than assets themselves. Through their "one token, multiple RWAs" model, investors gain exposure to various real-world assets while local communities gain decision-making power over resources they live and work with.

Their limestone mine project in Zambia demonstrates this impact, where the community received equity in the operation and voted for equal pay between men and women. With liquidity for upgrading machinery, production increased, generating profits that are shared with the community—enabling them to build roads and provide bus transportation for children who previously walked hours to school.

These "regional DAOs" distribute profits among all stakeholders, with portions flowing back to Kula's treasury to increase token value. This "Web 2.5" approach bridges traditional investment with blockchain transparency, delivering financial opportunity to communities that typically lack access while creating shared value for all participants.

E Money Network：

Blockchain solves two fundamental challenges for RWA projects: standardizing processes across diverse regulatory environments (like India's varying state land laws) and securely tracking ownership data. Unlike traditional databases, blockchain efficiently stores complete asset histories while addressing privacy concerns through zero-knowledge proofs.

While fractional ownership has existed before (like US stock exchanges), blockchain enables true asset tokenization beyond simple fractionalization. This evolution requires compliant blockchain infrastructure from the start, allowing projects to operate globally while simplifying user interactions with RWAs.

Polytrade：

RWAs extend beyond traditional assets to creator royalties, as demonstrated by Another Block's partnership that tokenizes music rights. On Polytrade, investors can purchase shares of songs from major artists like Rihanna, BTS, and Justin Bieber.

This model could expand to YouTube creators like Mr. Beast, allowing fans to invest directly in content creators they support. The blockchain efficiently manages revenue distribution to token holders while enabling additional financial functions like using these tokens as collateral for loans. This represents an exciting frontier in RWA development that broadens the scope of what can be tokenized and traded.

 

Q4: Everyone talks about RWAs bringing more liquidity, but how does that work in practice? And how do you make sure that increased liquidity doesn’t come at the cost of asset stability or trust?

Kula：

Kula addresses several key pain points in traditional finance through blockchain-based RWAs. First, they unlock illiquid assets in emerging markets (land, minerals, energy infrastructure) that traditional finance considers too risky. 

Second, they democratize investment through fractional ownership, eliminating the need for massive capital or insider connections that typically exclude average investors.

Third, Kula brings transparency to financial systems by putting everything on-chain, allowing investors to track assets, decisions, and transactions in real-time without middlemen. Finally, they combat capital extraction from emerging markets by ensuring wealth is reinvested into the communities that generate it, creating long-term impact instead of short-term gains.

To build credibility, Kula is pursuing a Virtual Asset Service Provider license to attract institutional investors, backing their token with real assets like a Nepalese hydropower plant and Zambian limestone mine to reduce volatility, and establishing partnerships with governments through nine memorandums of understanding. Their governance model gives all token holders voting rights on investment management, ensuring active participation rather than passive ownership controlled by whales or VCs.

 

Q5: For people who are new to tokenized RWAs and thinking about getting involved, what's your best advice? What should they look for in a project or opportunity to make smart decisions?

RWA Inc：

I want to provide a macro overview of the current situation. It's an exciting time politically as we're witnessing deregulation taking place, which I believe will be significant for the Trump team as they work to remove obstacles that have been blocking the RWA industry from getting our tokens to market, particularly security tokens. According to strong sources close to Trump, deregulation efforts are underway, with his team working hard on implementation. There's also potential for eliminating capital gains tax in the U.S.

The markets are already reacting to these rumors, and it's amazing to see a president so bullish on crypto. Of course, Trump's family owns various tokens themselves, which makes their support somewhat expected, but we're happy to see this favorable stance. I believe now is the time to invest in real world assets, though it's crucial to conduct due diligence: verify the team, examine the smart contracts, ensure everything is properly established, check the tokenomics, and thoroughly research before investing. Always remember not to invest more than you're willing to lose. I anticipate a significant capital influx into real world assets in the coming weeks.

E Money Network：

Not only are we seeing supportive regulations in the US, but also globally. Naika and VARA serve as excellent examples of this trend. Regions worldwide are recognizing digital assets' potential and how institutions can partner with these technologies to drive adoption and enhance liquidity. In Asia, Thailand's recent acceptance of Tether demonstrates the broader movement toward legalizing digital assets and establishing clear regulatory frameworks, transitioning them from gray areas into properly regulated spaces.

With positive developments in the US likely to boost the industry, there couldn't be a better time to enter the RWA space, even for individual consumers. You'll have numerous opportunities to invest in RWA projects regardless of your location. The true power of RWA is democratization - you can now invest in assets without needing millions of dollars for direct acquisition. Through RWAs, you can grow your investments with lower capital requirements, making asset ownership accessible to a much wider audience.

Kula:

When investing in Real World Assets (RWAs), distinguish between hype and genuine value. Unlike typical crypto projects relying on speculation, RWAs should be backed by tangible assets like land, minerals, or infrastructure. Always verify what physical assets support the project, ensure they have proper legal ownership and regulatory approvals, and confirm they operate in stable, growing industries with sustainable business models.

Regulatory compliance is critical and often overlooked. Many RWA projects tokenize assets without securing legal approvals, creating significant risk if regulators determine the tokenization is invalid. Look for properly licensed projects - Kula is pursuing a VASP license for regulatory clarity, which many competitors lack. Additionally, assess the liquidity situation carefully, as RWAs tied to physical assets don't always have immediate liquidity like traditional crypto.

Finally, examine the governance structure to ensure token holders have genuine decision-making power rather than control remaining with insiders. The best RWA projects allow investors to actively participate in governance, influencing investment strategies, resource allocation, and development priorities. With these considerations in mind, you can navigate the evolving RWA landscape more effectively and identify projects with strong fundamentals.

 

Conclusion: RWAs Go Digital

RWA digitization is revolutionizing finance by solving traditional market inefficiencies. Tokenization democratizes investment access, increases asset liquidity, and enhances transparency through blockchain technology. Our experts highlighted how this innovation enables fractional ownership and bridges traditional finance with Web3.

While regulatory uncertainty remains a challenge, maturing frameworks will likely attract significant institutional and retail capital. Successful investors must carefully evaluate asset legitimacy, governance structures, compliance, and liquidity mechanisms before participating in this emerging space.

The tokenization of real-world assets represents a fundamental shift in financial innovation that will reshape global value exchange, creating new opportunities for investors, asset owners, and communities worldwide.