Citigroup Projects $8.2 Trillion Tokenized Asset Market by 2030

Citigroup's Market Forecast

Citigroup released a report projecting the tokenized real-world assets market could grow to $8.2 trillion by 2030 under its bullish case, according to the bank's analysis. The forecast assumes continued adoption of blockchain infrastructure for representing and transferring traditional assets—bonds, equities, commodities, and real estate—on public and private networks.

Transition from Pilot to Mainstream

The projection reflects a shift in tokenization's market maturity. What began as experimental initiatives from central banks, asset managers, and blockchain firms has widened to include major financial institutions piloting settlement and custody workflows on distributed ledgers. Citigroup's timeline suggests the sector is moving past proof-of-concept phases and toward production systems that material financial flows will route through.

Context for the Sector

Tokenization remains a nascent but increasingly credible use case for blockchain technology. Unlike speculative token markets, RWA tokenization focuses on bridging existing financial assets onto digital infrastructure—a problem that appeals to regulated institutions and regulators alike. The $8.2 trillion figure represents roughly 10% of total global assets under management as of 2024, underscoring the scale Citigroup believes is at stake.

Why It Matters

For Traders

Tokenization adoption could shift liquidity flows into blockchain infrastructure and digital asset platforms, affecting trading volumes and market microstructure over the medium term.

For Investors

Mainstream RWA tokenization validates blockchain as financial infrastructure; institutional asset managers entering the space may accelerate adoption and regulatory clarity.

For Builders

Layer 1 and settlement-layer protocols targeting RWA custody and settlement should prioritize compliance tooling and institutional-grade security as tokenization moves from pilot to production.