Ondo Finance has introduced Ondo Global Markets (Ondo GM), a platform designed to bring real-world assets (RWAs) such as stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) onto the blockchain. This move, announced on February 4th, provides global access to US securities by enabling investors outside the US to gain exposure through tokenized representations of these assets.
Ondo GM allows investors outside the US to gain exposure to thousands of US securities, including AAPL, TSLA, SPY, and QQQ, with minimal fees using stablecoins. The platform aims to remove traditional cost and geographic barriers.
The token issued through Ondo GM maintains a 1:1 backing with its underlying security, ensuring legitimacy and transparency. These tokens function similarly to stablecoins, facilitating seamless transfers across blockchain networks beyond US borders.
Investors benefit from instant minting and redemption, enhanced liquidity, and built-in access to on-chain financial services, including lending, trading, and yield-generation opportunities.
Ondo GM provides comprehensive APIs that enable brokers, asset issuers, and fintech platforms to integrate tokenized assets into their systems. A legal framework ensures investor protection, safeguarding assets with a structured approach that minimizes risk.
The RWA sector has experienced remarkable growth, reaching an all-time high of $16.88 billion in on-chain value as of February 4th. This represents a 94% increase over the past year, with nearly $4 billion added in the last three months alone. There are now 83,049 entities holding RWAs, collectively managing assets issued by 112 providers.
Private credit leads the market with $11.6 billion in tokenized value, followed by US Treasury debt ($3.5 billion) and commodities ($1.1 billion). Institutional funds represent a smaller portion, valued at around $410 million.
Ethereum remains the dominant blockchain for RWAs, hosting 67 asset tokens, while zkSync (28) and Arbitrum (20) follow closely.
The surge in RWA adoption aligns with growing interest from traditional financial institutions. Traditional financial institutions like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton have deepened their involvement in tokenized finance, signaling a shift toward blockchain-powered investment solutions.