The rise of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is reshaping traditional investment markets, unlocking new opportunities in sectors beyond finance. Though tokenization has historically focused on real estate, precious metals, and fine art, the ability to tokenize tangible luxury goods is now emerging as a transformative force in the industry.

BeInCrypto spoke with Harley Foote, CEO and Co-founder of CryptoAutos, a leading project in the RWA luxury car market, to understand what is driving this new phenomenon’s rise and its future prospects.

RWA Market Growth and Future Potential

Real-world asset tokenization has surged as one of the crypto industry’s dominant narratives in the last few years. 

Tokenization leverages blockchain to create digital representations of real-world assets, allowing for fractional ownership. This approach democratizes access to expensive assets by breaking them into more affordable, divisible tokens.

Real estate, commodities, art, financial assets, and precious metals are the most commonly tokenized real-world assets. In 2024, the total market size of tokenized assets reached $186 billion, marking a 32% increase compared to the previous year, according to a report from the Tokenized Asset Coalition.

“The RWA market has exploded in the last year due to a perfect storm of macro trends, technological advancements, and shifting investor sentiment. Institutional interest in blockchain-based assets, ETFs becoming, dare we say, the norm, improved regulatory clarity in key jurisdictions, and the increasing need for liquidity in traditionally illiquid markets have all contributed to this acceleration,” Foote told BeInCrypto.

The industry’s prospects for the future remain promising. According to German consulting firm Roland Berger, the value of tokenized assets is projected to exceed $10.9 trillion by 2030, with real estate, debt, and investment funds leasing as the top three tokenized asset categories.  

With RWA tokenization growing, new asset categories are emerging.

The Rise of Tokenized High-End Goods

The tokenization of luxury goods, such as supercars, yachts, jets, and high-end watches, is becoming a transformative trend that is difficult to ignore. 

“Initially, RWAs were focused on tokenizing financial instruments like bonds, real estate, and commodities, which made sense. However, as the technology has matured and investors have‬‭ had their eyes opened and their tastebuds tickled, we’re seeing an expansion into tangible‬‭ assets with intrinsic scarcity and strong market demand, such as luxury cars, art, and‬‭ collectibles. Supercars, for example, have traditionally been reserved for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, but that is now a thing of the past due to tokenization,” Foote explained.

In 2020, the crypto startup CurioInvest announced the sale of tokens representing fractional ownership of a 2015 limited-edition Ferrari F12 TDF. They offered these tokens, priced at $1 each, for a vehicle valued at over $1 million. The company also announced plans to tokenize 500 luxury cars, which they intended to store in a warehouse in Stuttgart.

In 2023, Cloud Yachts introduced a novel approach to the yachting industry by launching a tokenized experience related to superyachts. 

The NFT company tokenized a 94-foot Sunseeker super yacht, aiming to offer luxury yacht cruises to individuals for a cost comparable to a night out in Miami. It sold each NFT for $500, which granted buyers one cruise around Miami on the Sunseeker 94 for a year.

Tokenized Luxury Vehicles

Earlier this month, CryptoAutos acquired a $20 million luxury car rental fleet in Dubai, featuring limited edition Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, and Rolls Royce models. Customers will have the opportunity to earn USDT through the sale and rental of these vehicles.

According to Foote, luxury goods, particularly supercars, are ideal for tokenization relative to other asset classes.

“‬Unlike niche financial assets, luxury vehicles have universal appeal and recognition plus a liquid global market that attracts a wide variety of buyers. What sets supercars apart from other luxury assets, like fine art or jewellery, is their potential to generate yield through rentals or shared ownership models, transforming what was traditionally a static asset into a dynamic‬ revenue-generating investment. Additionally, supercars often serve as a hedge against inflation.‬‭ Much like fine wine, classic watches; supercars tend to outperform traditional-based investments during economic downturns,” he said.

Asset tokenization carves out a unique path toward greater financial inclusion by breaking down ownership into fractions.

Democratizing Luxury Asset Ownership

Luxury vehicles are called that way because only people with a disposable income in the millions can effectively give themselves the luxury to own one. Tokenization changes that.

“Traditional luxury car investments have been restricted to elite collectors with the capital to buy‬ and maintain rare vehicles. Previously, you needed to pay for the whole vehicle but tokenization‬ democratizes access. These new models can allow investors to own a share of high-value assets with minimal capital, trade their holdings in liquid markets rather than waiting for an entire vehicle resale and generate passive income from rental-based yields,” Foote told BeInCrypto.

Several supercars are limited editions, making them particularly well-suited for tokenization.

“The wider car market certainly is a depreciating asset, once they are mass-produced, they are‬ sold and they rarely retain their value. But these are supercars, limited-production hypercars,‬ and classic models. [They] are particularly well-suited for tokenization due to their inherent scarcity, exclusivity, and strong global brand appeal. Limited production runs‬ coupled with collector demand naturally drives up value appreciation over time,” Foote added.

The growth of luxury goods in the RWA industry attracts attention from investors outside the crypto sector, potentially influencing the broader adoption of RWAs in mainstream finance.

“Luxury RWAs serve as a bridge between traditional investors and blockchain-based finance. We‬ see the current progress towards tokenization of luxury assets, like supercars, yachts, and other‬ items, only accelerating as mainstream adoption of RWAs takes hold,” Foote said.

These assets’ reliance on blockchain technology also inspires greater confidence among investors considering luxury goods as a way to diversify their portfolios.

Blockchain’s Role in Curbing Risks

In high-value asset trading, blockchain technology can help ensure transparency, liquidity, and security. 

According to Foote, blockchain inherently eliminates many inefficiencies and risks associated with traditional asset ownership by providing transparent ownership at the source. 

“Each tokenized asset is‬‭ recorded on-chain, ensuring a clear ownership history which helps prevent fraud. Unlike‬‭ traditional methods, investors can trade fractional shares of supercars, eliminating the need for lengthy resale processes. And due to the speed of blockchain technology you aren’t waiting for days for banks to clear your money, you can purchase your car with a few clicks,” he said.

Meanwhile, smart contracts further expedite the process and curb risks.

“Smart contracts enforce legal agreements, revenue-sharing models, and governance‬ mechanisms, reducing the need for intermediaries. While transactions are immutable and tamper-proof, enhancing investor confidence,” Foote added. 

Certain jurisdictions are creating regulatory structures to enable confident investor participation in response to the growth of luxury asset tokenization.

Regulatory Frameworks for RWA Tokenization

Different jurisdictions across the globe have implemented regulations for this emerging market, enabling investor access to tokenized RWAs.

“‭Regulatory frameworks vary widely. Dubai, Switzerland, and Singapore have emerged as‬ favorable jurisdictions for asset tokenization, providing clear legal frameworks and investor protections. Meanwhile, the US and EU are still refining their RWA regulations, but we are seeing promising signs, especially within the US under the new leadership,” Foote told BeInCrypto.

In November 2024, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) introduced new measures to facilitate the commercialization of tokenized assets. These measures included forming commercial networks designed to enhance liquidity in tokenized assets.

MAS also announced plans to develop a market infrastructure ecosystem and established industry frameworks for implementing and settling tokenized assets.

Meanwhile, Switzerland remains a pioneer in the tokenization sector, supported by its comprehensive legal structure for digital assets. The country’s 2021 Swiss DLT Bill facilitated the secure and compliant tokenization of diverse asset types, drawing international participants to its market.

Even before Singapore and Switzerland, Dubai was the first jurisdiction in the world to implement regulatory clarity for tokenized assets. In 2020, it established the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), a regulatory entity that oversees virtual assets. 

This authority focuses on regulating various virtual assets, encompassing tokenized products, cryptocurrencies, and security tokens. Establishing VARA provided regulatory clarity, creating a secure environment for businesses and investors to explore and invest in tokenized assets.

“Dubai is quickly becoming a global hub for tokenized luxury assets due to progressive‬‭ regulations, strong investor demand, and a thriving crypto ecosystem. We’ve seen multiple‬ projects like Mantra, Reelly, and of course, ourselves, make significant commitments to RWA‬ operations in Dubai so far in 2025,” Foote said. 

Yet, before investing in tokenized luxury goods, it’s important to consider their associated risks.

Risks and Future Prospects

Although some countries have established clear regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, most have not. The overall regulatory landscape concerning tokenization is still developing. 

Potential regulation changes could impact tokenized assets, requiring investors to remain informed about the changing legal environment.

Meanwhile, tokenized assets, like other investments, are susceptible to market fluctuations. Although tokenization can improve liquidity, it does not mitigate the inherent volatility in asset markets, particularly real estate and commodities.

“We would never shy away from the risks involved, like in any market. Things like market volatility and general economic conditions can impact demand. As can maintenance costs, especially with classic cars, due to the requirements of careful upkeep. And there is the elephant in the room which is regulatory uncertainty. Evolving laws and regulations around tokenized assets could affect investment structures,” Foote told BeInCrypto. 

Nonetheless, Foote is certain that the demand for tokenized luxury goods is there and will not disappear anytime soon. 

“Investors are increasingly seeking yield-generating luxury assets that offer both utility and appreciation potential. It’s a genuine new frontier that’s opening up right in front of us, and we are taking the opportunity with both hands‬ on that steering wheel and turning the NOS up to the max,” he concluded. 

‭While challenges remain, the appeal of tokenized luxury goods suggests that this is a developing market to watch.