Securitize CEO Predicts Tokenized Equities and ETFs Will Propel RWA Market to Trillions

Tokenized Equities: The Future of Real-World Assets, Says Securitize CEO

New York, NY – In a bold assertion at the ETHConf panel on Tuesday, Carlos Domingo, CEO of Securitize, declared that tokenized equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will be the key drivers propelling the real-world asset (RWA) market into the trillions. With the current tokenized asset sector valued at approximately $30 billion, Domingo believes the potential for growth is staggering.

“The entire equities and ETF market worldwide is probably around $150 trillion,” Domingo stated, emphasizing that even a modest shift of just 2% to 3% of that market onto blockchain could bring the RWA sector close to a monumental $5 trillion valuation.

As Securitize gears up for its public debut, the company is positioning itself as a leading provider of tokenization solutions for institutional investors, including industry giant BlackRock. Domingo’s comments come at a pivotal moment as the firm seeks to expand its influence in the rapidly evolving financial landscape.

While tokenized U.S. Treasuries have dominated the RWA category over the past two years, Domingo argues that tokenized stocks represent the next significant growth opportunity. Securitize has recently forged partnerships with the New York Stock Exchange and transfer agent Computershare to facilitate on-chain trading and settlement of equities.

Domingo also highlighted a critical distinction in the market, asserting that many current offerings labeled as “tokenized equities” do not represent true ownership of shares. “A lot of people that today say that they tokenize equities, they’re not tokenizing equity,” he explained, pointing out that many products rely on derivatives or synthetic structures rather than direct ownership.

The long-term vision for blockchain-based securities, according to Domingo, is to provide investors with the same rights as traditional shares while enhancing the experience with instant settlement, 24/7 transferability, and deeper integration with decentralized finance (DeFi).

Despite ongoing concerns regarding transparency and compliance, Domingo maintains that public blockchains, particularly Ethereum, are the preferred infrastructure for institutional tokenization. Securitize employs smart contracts to ensure ownership is restricted to approved investors while allowing assets to move on permissionless networks.

Looking to the future, Domingo envisions a dual-market landscape where blockchain-based systems develop alongside traditional financial infrastructure. “The traditional markets are going to stay,” he said. “We’re going to see a new market emerge in parallel that will run on blockchain rails and be much more efficient.”

As Securitize prepares for its next chapter, the potential for tokenized equities to reshape the financial landscape is becoming increasingly clear. With industry leaders like Domingo at the helm, the future of real-world assets may be just around the corner.

For more insights, read about Securitize’s recent milestones and its journey to go public on the NYSE.