Tiger Research: Take RWA Tokenization Overseas First
This article discusses the strategic choices facing financial institutions in jurisdictions lacking mature regulatory frameworks for Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization. With the market growing rapidly, institutions must choose between waiting for local legislation, using regulatory sandboxes, or—the recommended priority—expanding into overseas markets to gain early experience.
Successfully launching cross-border RWA tokenization requires meticulous preparation across six key areas: establishing an overseas base (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, the U.S.), securing necessary licenses, defining the tokenized asset (with bonds being simpler than non-standard assets), defining the target investor scope, deciding on settlement currencies/payment flows, and designing operational requirements like custody and on-chain governance.
The article outlines two primary strategic paths: a direct "onshore" path and a "native on-chain" path. The direct path involves setting up a legal entity and obtaining licenses in a mature jurisdiction like Hong Kong, Singapore, or the U.S., leveraging existing platforms (e.g., DigiFT, Securitize) for efficiency. The alternative native on-chain path involves partnering with compliant, decentralized platforms (e.g., Ondo, Plume Nest) that use structures like offshore SPVs to facilitate tokenization and access DeFi liquidity, offering speed and broader reach but with greater structural complexity.
The core argument is that institutions should not wait for perfect domestic regulation. A detailed hypothetical case study illustrates the multi-step, 6-12 month process of launching an overseas tokenized bond. The key takeaway is that the essence of a tokenization business lies not in the technology but in successfully executing the entire sales and operational process. The market is moving forward, and the time to act is now.
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