In a significant milestone for the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, trading volumes in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) via 1inch and Ondo’s collaboration have surpassed $2.5 billion since their partnership launched in September 2025. This surge in activity, primarily on the BNB Chain, highlights the growing demand for RWAs in the crypto space, even as the broader market faces a downturn.
According to data from Dune Analytics and a release shared with Cointelegraph, tokenized RWAs are now the fastest-growing volume category on 1inch, despite representing a minority of the platform’s overall trading activity. 1inch co-founder Sergei Kunz emphasized the trend’s momentum, stating, “The direction of travel is clear, and it shows no signs of slowing down.”
BNB Chain: The Hub of RWA Activity
The majority of this activity is centered on the BNB Chain, where approximately $2 billion in RWA-related volume has been generated across 1.3 million transactions. At its peak, the platform saw nearly 24,800 active users in a single period. Kunz attributes this success to the BNB Chain’s user-friendly interface and extensive retail distribution, noting that it has become “the natural place for RWA activity to occur.”
Tokenized Assets Gain Traction
Both retail and advanced users are actively trading RWAs, with the average swap size hovering around $1,400. This figure, Kunz notes, indicates “real capital, deployed with intent” rather than speculative test trades. The most popular tokens include well-known traditional finance names such as Nvidia, Tesla, Google, and Netflix, alongside non-equity assets like silver.
Growth in Ethereum’s RWA Ecosystem
While the BNB Chain leads in RWA trading volumes, Ethereum’s RWA total value locked (TVL) has also seen substantial growth, reaching nearly $15 billion—a 200% increase over the past year. Tokenized U.S. Treasuries have been a significant driver, with a market cap that has risen by over $1 billion since the start of 2026, representing a 50x increase since 2024.
Regulatory Clarity and Future Prospects
The rise of tokenized RWAs is not just a technical achievement but also a regulatory one. Kunz believes that the next major leap for RWAs will occur when liquidity, standards, and regulatory clarity align. At that point, tokenized assets could become an integral part of everyday DeFi operations, functioning as “financial plumbing on DeFi rails.” This transition would mark a significant step towards mainstream adoption and integration of DeFi into traditional financial systems.
As the crypto industry continues to navigate regulatory challenges and market volatility, the success of tokenized RWAs on platforms like 1inch and Ondo offers a promising glimpse into the future of decentralized finance. With continued innovation and regulatory support, RWAs could soon become a cornerstone of the DeFi ecosystem, bridging the gap between traditional and decentralized finance.
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