Mercado Bitcoin to Tokenize $200M in Real-World Assets on XRP Ledger as Global Tokenization Momentum Grows

Latin America’s crypto landscape is taking a bold step forward. Mercado Bitcoin, one of the region’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, announced plans to tokenize $200 million worth of real-world assets (RWAs) on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The move aligns with the global surge in blockchain-based tokenization of traditional financial assets, despite evolving regulatory frameworks.

According to a joint statement with Ripple, the tokenized portfolio will include a combination of fixed-income instruments and equity-based assets. This signals a deepening commitment from Latin America’s financial players to leverage blockchain for digitizing traditional finance.

A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity in the Making

The decision follows a report from Boston Consulting Group and Ripple, which estimates that the tokenized RWA market could grow to $19 trillion by 2033, driven largely by institutional demand for blockchain-enabled finance.

Mercado Bitcoin’s initiative places it alongside a growing list of crypto-native and institutional firms embracing tokenization. Their shared goal? Unlock greater liquidity, enable 24/7 trading, and improve transparency and accessibility in global financial markets.

Global Expansion of RWA Infrastructure

Mercado Bitcoin’s announcement coincides with major tokenization developments worldwide:

• Hong Kong is accelerating its tokenized green bond program while enhancing its regulatory framework for stablecoins and digital asset platforms.
• In the United States, Robinhood is planning to tokenize equities through its upcoming Ethereum-compatible blockchain, a potential game-changer that could disrupt traditional trading hours and infrastructure by bringing stocks fully on-chain.
• Ondo Finance, a DeFi protocol focused on RWAs, has acquired Oasis Pro, a US-regulated alternative trading system. The acquisition aims to facilitate settlement of digital securities in both fiat and stablecoins, bridging traditional finance and DeFi.
• Centrifuge, another blockchain platform, revealed plans to tokenize the S&P 500 index, marking a bold attempt to bring mainstream equity benchmarks onto decentralized rails.

Regulatory Clarity Still Lacking

Despite the enthusiasm, industry leaders warn that regulation remains a major hurdle. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, recently urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to greenlight the tokenization of traditional securities like stocks and bonds—but progress has been slow.

John Murillo, Chief Business Officer at B2BROKER, cautioned that tokenized equities exist in a regulatory gray area. Unlike traditional shares, these tokens may lack voting rights, dividend guarantees, and access to company disclosures, making them fundamentally different from their non-tokenized counterparts.

Murillo advised investors to scrutinize each tokenized RWA closely—examining cash flow rights, smart contract risks, legal protections, and governance features—before committing capital.

Conclusion

With Mercado Bitcoin joining the tokenization race on the XRP Ledger, the global financial system is steadily inching toward a digitally-native future. But as the infrastructure advances, regulatory clarity and investor education will be key to unlocking the full potential of tokenized assets—safely and sustainably.

July 2025, Cryptoniteuae