Real-world assets (RWAs) are physical or traditional assets, such as real estate, gold, or art, that are represented on the blockchain as digital tokens. Tokenization enables people to purchase fractional ownership of assets that would otherwise require significant capital upfront. Instead of needing to pay millions for a Picasso, you could hold a $50 token that represents a fractional percentage of the painting.
Here are nine surprising examples of RWAs already being tokenized — and how you can invest in them today.
Luxury watches
High-end watches like Rolex or Patek Philippe can now be tokenized and sold in fractions. This lets collectors and investors alike gain exposure to the appreciation of rare timepieces without buying the whole watch.
How to buy: Platforms like 4K and Courtyard.io tokenize physical watches stored in vaults. You can purchase these tokens using stablecoins (like USDC) or other cryptocurrencies, and later resell them on secondary markets.
Fine art
Tokenization has made it possible for everyday investors to own fractions of masterpieces by artists like Monet or Warhol. This turns illiquid art into a tradable financial asset.
How to buy: Platforms like Masterworks (for traditional investors) and Particle (crypto-native) allow you to buy shares of famous artworks. Usually, you’ll create an account, undergo a KYC (know your customer) process, and then buy fractional tokens tied to the art.
Music royalties
Musicians can tokenize their royalties, giving fans and investors the chance to share in future streaming or performance revenue. It’s a way to turn fandom into financial participation.
How to buy: Sites like Royal.io let investors purchase NFT-based tokens tied to songs, which entitle holders to a percentage of royalties whenever the track earns money. Tokens are bought with crypto or fiat, depending on the platform.
Farmland
Tokenized farmland provides exposure to agricultural profits and land appreciation, without the need to own or manage an actual farm. It’s an accessible entry point into one of the world’s oldest asset classes.
How to buy: Platforms like Lofty.ai allow investors to buy tokens backed by farmland and rental properties. You simply sign up, verify identity, and purchase tokens (often as little as $50 per share)
Intellectual property
Patents, movie rights, and even trademarks are being tokenized, letting inventors and creators raise money from investors who want exposure to future royalties.
How to buy: Projects like IPwe and Republic let investors buy into intellectual property portfolios. Typically, you invest through tokenized shares that entitle you to a cut of future licensing revenues.
Sports teams and collectibles
Sports fans can now invest directly in their passion, from tokenized ownership stakes in football clubs to fractionalized signed jerseys and memorabilia.
How to buy: Platforms like Socios offer fan tokens tied to teams, which can be purchased using crypto. Other marketplaces tokenize memorabilia, where you buy fractions of jerseys, cards, or autographs stored in vaults.
Collectible cars
Rare cars like Ferraris, Porsches, or vintage Lamborghinis are being split into digital tokens, so investors can buy a piece of automotive history. You can purchase tokens that represent fractional ownership and benefit from appreciation if the car increases in value.
How to buy: Sign up on a platform like Rally or CurioInvest, complete KYC verification, and purchase tokens with fiat or crypto.
Gold and precious metals
Tokens like PAX Gold (PAXG) or Tether Gold (XAUT) are backed 1:1 by vaulted gold. Investors can trade them on exchanges or, in some cases, redeem for physical bars.
How to buy: Open an account on a major crypto exchange (like Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken), search for gold-backed tokens (PAXG/XAUT), and buy them with USDT, ETH, or USD. Some issuers also allow redemption for real gold through their own platforms.
Natural gas and oil
Natural resources like oil and natural gas are now being tokenized to open up access to an industry traditionally dominated by large corporations and governments. Oil tokenization platforms allow investors to purchase fractional ownership in energy reserves, production projects, or revenue streams tied to oil and gas output.
How to buy: Register on a licensed RWA platform like Brox Equity or Tokeny, complete identity verification, and purchase tokens directly with stablecoins or fiat. Tokens may trade on secondary markets, or in some cases, entitle you to revenue shares from energy projects.
Tokenization of real-world assets is changing how people invest. Instead of needing to be extremely wealthy to be capable of investing in art, land, or collectibles, anyone with a phone and a crypto wallet can now participate. Through enabling fractional ownership, these assets become more liquid, accessible globally, and easier to trade. While the industry is still developing and regulatory hurdles remain, RWAs are fast becoming one of the most thrilling bridges between crypto and traditional finance. The future of investing might not be in owning the entire watch or painting, but in owning a token that gives you a stake in something greater.
