Things like real estate, gold, or art that are genuine and are shown on the blockchain as digital tokens are called real-world assets (RWAs). Tokenisation makes it possible for people to buy small chunks of assets that would ordinarily cost a lot of money up front. Instead of paying millions for a Picasso, you might buy a $50 token that represents a small fraction of the work.
Here are nine startling examples of RWAs that have already been made into tokens, along with instructions on how to buy them today.
Watches that cost a lot
You can now break up and sell high-end timepieces like Rolex and Patek Philippe in pieces. This helps both collectors and investors see how rare watches increase up in value without having to buy the full watch.
To buy, sites like 4K and Courtyard.io change real timepieces into digital tokens that are stored in vaults. You can buy these tokens with stablecoins (like USDC) or other cryptocurrencies, and then sell them again on secondary marketplaces.
Art that is very good
Tokenisation has made it feasible for average people to own little parts of major works of art by artists like Warhol and Monet. This turns art that isn’t easy to sell into a financial asset that can be traded.
You can acquire shares of great works of art on sites like Masterworks (for traditional investors) and Particle (for crypto-native investors). Most of the time, you’ll sign up for an account, go through a KYC (know your customer) process, and then buy fractional tokens that are connected to the art.
Royalties for songs
Musicians can turn their royalties into tokens, which means that fans and investors can have a part of future streaming or performance income. It’s a way for supporters to help out with money.
How to buy: Investors can buy NFT-based tokens that are linked to songs on sites like Royal.io. When the music produces money, these tokens provide their holders a portion of the royalties. Depending on the platform, you can buy tokens with either crypto or fiat money.
Land for farming
With tokenised farmland, you may invest in the earnings from farming and the rise in land value without having to own or run an actual farm. It’s a simple way to get into one of the oldest kinds of assets in the world.
How to acquire: Investors can buy tokens that are backed by rental homes and farmland on sites like Lofty.ai. You only need to sign up, show who you are, and buy tokens, which can cost as low as $50 each.
Intellectual property
By tokenising items like patents, movie rights, and even trademarks, inventors and creators can collect money from investors who wish to get a piece of future income.
How to acquire: Investors can buy intellectual property portfolios through programs like IPwe and Republic. You commonly invest by buying tokenised shares, which offer you a portion of future licensing payments.
Collectibles and teams in sports
Sports fans may now give money directly to their favourite teams, from tokenised ownership interests in football clubs to signed jerseys and other collectibles that are hard to find.
How to buy: You may get fan tokens linked to teams on sites like Socios. You can accomplish this with crypto. Other marketplaces tokenise memorabilia, which means you buy pieces of jerseys, cards, or autographs that are stored in vaults.
Cars that have value
Digital tokens that depict rare cars like Ferraris, Porsches, or vintage Lamborghinis are a way for investors to own a piece of automotive history. You can buy tokens that let you own a little part of the car and make money if the car’s worth goes up.
How to buy: You can buy tokens with either cash or cryptocurrency on a site like Rally or CurioInvest. To buy the tokens, all you have to do is sign up and go through KYC verification.
Precious metals like gold
PAX Gold (PAXG) and Tether Gold (XAUT) are two tokens that are backed by gold stored in a vault. People who own them can swap them on exchanges or, in some situations, get genuine bars in return.
How to buy: You should open an account on a well-known crypto exchange like Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken. Find gold-backed tokens (PAXG/XAUT) and buy them with USDT, ETH, or USD. Some issuers even allow you trade in for real gold on their own websites.
Oil and gas from the earth
Tokenising natural resources like oil and gas is one method to make an industry that has been run by huge firms and governments more available to everyone. Oil tokenisation platforms let investors buy small shares of oil and gas deposits, production projects, or revenue streams that come from oil and gas production.
How to buy: You can buy tokens directly using stablecoins or cash on a licensed RWA platform like Brox Equity or Tokeny. Just sign up, verify your identification, and then buy tokens. You can exchange tokens on secondary markets, and in some situations, they can even provide you a piece of the profits from energy projects.
Tokenising real-world assets is changing how people invest. You don’t have to be particularly rich to invest in art, land, or collectibles anymore. All you need is a phone and a crypto wallet.
