Is a new network reshaping asset tokenization?

TL;DR
New reports reveal that other networks—especially Solana—are making big strides in asset tokenization, previously dominated by Ethereum. For companies seeking funding, this means fresh opportunities in faster execution, lower fees, and emerging competitors offering institutional-ready tools.

How Ethereum Set the Tokenization Standard (But Isn’t the Only Game in Town)

Here’s the thing: Ethereum has been the obvious choice for tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) for quite some time. Thanks to its compliance-friendly token standards and a developed ecosystem full of skilled developers, it’s earned a lot of trust from institutions. By mid-2025, Ethereum was hosting around 66.6% of the total RWA market—that’s roughly $12.5 billion in assets tokenized. Ethereum Role in Tokenization Revolution

But, it’s not all smooth sailing. Ethereum struggles with high transaction fees, slower speeds, and some scalability bottlenecks. Because of that, other networks and Layer-2 solutions have jumped in to tackle these pain points. The Next Chapter in the Public Chain Landscape

Solana’s Explosive Growth in Real-World Tokenization

Solana’s RWA Market Is Breaching $800 Million

Solana’s tokenized asset ecosystem did something impressive recently. The market soared to $873.3 million in RWAs—that’s a 10% uptick just in December 2025 alone. I’ve found wallet holders increased by about 18.4% too. Solana Sees Record $873m in Tokenized RWAs This is nearly double from the start of the year, when Solana had around $418 million in tokenized assets—a whopping 140% rise year-to-date. Solana Tokenized Assets Soar 2025

Behind the Numbers: What’s Tokenized

Some notable examples here:

Ondo Finance’s USDY and OUSG are yield-generating treasury products that play a big role. State of Solana Real-World Assets
BlackRock’s BUIDL fund expanded its presence onto Solana, proving institutional assets aren’t just tied to Ethereum anymore. State of Solana Real-World Assets
Apollo’s ACRED, a private credit fund, is another example of serious compliance-minded RWAs going on-chain for DeFi use cases. State of Solana Real-World Assets

What Makes Solana Attractive

Speed & Low Costs: Think sub-$0.01 fees and block finality in under 0.4 seconds.
Growing Institutional Confidence: Big players like JPMorgan are stepping in, issuing $50 million commercial paper on Solana.
Retail & Institutional Mix: From tokenized equities to U.S. Treasuries, there's a wide range of asset classes gaining traction.

One practical aside: while Solana’s speed is a major plus, its network has faced occasional outages in the past. So, if uptime is critical, that’s something to keep in mind.

Polygon, ZKsync, and Other Rising Alternatives

Ethereum clearly still leads, but networks like Polygon POS are making some serious headway, especially in digital bonds and RWA launches. Some analysts even rank Polygon as Ethereum’s closest contender. Tokenized Asset Weekly Updates

Then you’ve got ZKsync Era and Aptos, which are also gaining ground. ZKsync holds about 17.2% of RWA market share in certain reports, while Aptos clocks in around 4%, slightly behind Solana’s near 3.9% at one point. Solana Tokenized Assets Soar 2025

These platforms offer better transaction speeds, cheaper gas fees, and appealing Layer-2 scaling options. This opens up new possibilities for RWAs, especially in funds, structured finance, or tokenized debt.

Real Examples: What Companies Are Doing Right Now

J.P. Morgan tapped Solana for a $50 million commercial paper issuance, leveraging USDC and the benefits of a public blockchain. JP Morgan Harnesses Blockchain Debt Issuance Amid Digital Asset Adoption Boost
Galaxy Digital tokenized its own stock on Solana’s compliant infrastructure, enabling 24/7 global trading. Galaxy Digital Tokenize Stock
Top-tier banks like Euroclear, HSBC, and Bank of America have signed deals through R3 to shift tokenization efforts onto Solana’s chain, signaling a strong TradFi endorsement. Banks Sign Deals Through R3 to Shift Tokenization onto Solana

What This Means for Companies Seeking Funding

If you’re in the process of raising capital, building a product, or planning to issue tokenized assets, this shift is crucial.

Advantages of Choosing High-Growth Alternatives

You get lower upfront costs since Solana and its peers offer way cheaper deployment than Ethereum mainnet.
Faster go-to-market times with quicker settlements and smoother integration.
Opportunities to tap both retail and institutional investors eager for new structures.

Trade-Offs to Watch

Regulatory clarity: Ethereum still has the edge here. While other networks are catching up, their compliance frameworks can be spotty.
Ecosystem maturity: Ethereum’s more extensive DeFi tools, stablecoin liquidity, and developer talent pool still matter a lot.
Network effects: Trust, liquidity, infrastructure—these take time to build. Ethereum remains strong in these areas.

What Investors Should Look for Before Backing Your Tokenization Project

To get funding partners on board, you’ll want to cover:

Which chain and why? Explain the benefits around speed, cost, and compliance.
What type of RWA? Private credit, treasuries, real estate, tokenized equities—all have different risks and legal angles.
Regulatory setup: Are you KYC/AML compliant? Targeting accredited investors? How about securities laws and custody?
Liquidity plans: Where will tokens trade? How do you plan to generate yield? What happens in secondary markets?

Just FYI: Ondo Finance’s USDY lets users earn yield via tokenized Treasuries and trade across chains, plus use it as collateral in DeFi. State of Solana Real-World Assets

Why This Shift Is Happening Now

Massive demand for yield in a low-interest rate world. RWAs deliver returns many investors want.
Pressure from institutions to digitize assets, making settlement, auditing, and transparency more efficient.
Tech improvements like scalability, composability, and better stablecoin setups allow alternative chains to handle high-value assets.

The Gap Ethereum Still Holds

Ethereum remains the bedrock despite others rising. Roughly:

Ethereum commands ~58-66% of RWA value across blockchains. Solana Tokenized Assets Soar 2025
Stablecoin activity, DeFi TVL, and smart contracts are deeply rooted.
Ongoing upgrades and L2 scaling (proto-danksharding and more) are improving Ethereum’s costs and limits. Ethereum Role in Tokenization Revolution

So, when it comes to trust and liquidity, Ethereum is still tough to beat for many use cases.

FAQ — What Funders and Founders Often Ask

Q: Is Solana as safe/regulatory compliant as Ethereum for tokenized assets?
A: Not quite yet. Many projects on Solana follow compliance frameworks, but some are still figuring things out. Ethereum has more established legal precedents. Pick chains and partners who adhere to securities laws and best regulatory practices.

Q: Can I issue tokenized equity or private credit on Solana?
A: Absolutely. U.S. and international firms like Apollo use Solana for private credit tokenization, and some tokenized equity projects have launched. Just be mindful of jurisdiction, custody, and securities filings. State of Solana Real-World Assets

Q: What kind of yield should I expect from RWAs?
A: That depends. Treasuries usually offer lower risk and yield, while private credit or alternative funds could mean higher returns but require more due diligence and possibly longer lock-ups.

Q: How do investors value tokenized RWA projects?
A: They look at traditional metrics like cash flow, risk, and legal seniority, plus factors like chain infrastructure costs, composability, settlement speed, and market access.

With Solana and others growing RWAs swiftly, now’s a pivotal moment. Positioning your company right—with the right network, regulatory framework, and institutional partners—can unlock funding and credibility. Let’s dig into what path suits you best and how to pitch it to investors.