In a significant leap for the cryptocurrency landscape, market maker GSR has teamed up with DigiFT, a regulated tokenized asset exchange, to launch secondary over-the-counter (OTC) trading for tokenized real-world assets. This groundbreaking initiative, unveiled today, marks a pivotal moment for the burgeoning $13.4 billion real-world asset (RWA) sector, as it aims to streamline trading processes and enhance market efficiency.
A New Dawn for Tokenized Assets
GSR’s latest venture with DigiFT seeks to address a long-standing challenge in the RWA market: transactions based on delayed net asset values. By introducing live secondary pricing, the partnership aims to foster a robust secondary market, enabling more dynamic price discovery and trade execution. “Our price discovery capabilities and systematic infrastructure support a healthy secondary market to help this asset class mature,” remarked Aravind Srinivasan, GSR’s Head of Systematic OTC Business, underscoring the strategic intent behind this collaboration.
This service, meticulously crafted for eligible institutional investors, will be available during Asian market hours, seven days a week. It offers accredited institutions the opportunity to trade tokenized units of various funds, including Invesco’s US Senior Loan Strategy (iSNR), UBS’s USD Money Market Investment Fund (uMINT), and Wellington’s Ultra Short Treasury On-Chain Fund (ULTRA).
The Mechanics of Innovation
At the heart of this initiative lies a sophisticated blend of technology and regulation. GSR will provide systematic bid-ask pricing, while DigiFT’s platform will handle settlement under the regulatory watch of Singapore and Hong Kong. This dual-layered approach ensures not only compliance but also the integrity of the trading process. For a deeper dive into the regulatory implications, see our coverage of the CFTC’s latest guidance.
The introduction of real-time price discovery is expected to significantly impact the market. It could, for instance, streamline wallet processes for redemptions, facilitate the integration of RWAs into decentralized finance protocols, and allow investors to recalibrate their positions based on live market data. This new frontier of on-chain settlements is powered by smart contracts, enabling GSR to fill orders through DigiFT’s OTC channel and manage the transfer of tokens and stablecoins seamlessly.
Riding the Wave of Market Trends
The real-world asset sector, as tracked by DeFiLlama, has expanded to a staggering $13.4 billion, with much of this value rooted in tokenized treasury funds and gold-backed cryptocurrencies. This growth trajectory signals a wider acceptance and integration of blockchain technology into traditional finance sectors—an evolution that DigiFT and GSR are keenly tapping into. As explored in our recent coverage of China’s potential re-engagement with crypto, the interest in RWAs is gaining momentum globally.
Yet, the road to widespread adoption is not without its hurdles. The integration of RWAs into decentralized finance, while promising, raises questions about scalability, security, and regulatory compliance. As the market matures, these factors will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future landscape of tokenized assets.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration between GSR and DigiFT sets a precedent for other players in the crypto market, highlighting the potential of partnerships to drive innovation and market growth. As the sector evolves, there’s cautious optimism about the role of tokenized assets in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world.
The companies have hinted at plans to expand liquidity to additional RWA tokens over time—a move that could further solidify their positions as leaders in this emerging market. As always, the crypto sector remains in a state of flux, with each innovation bringing both opportunities and challenges. The coming months will be crucial in determining how the market responds to this new offering and whether it can sustain the momentum it has built thus far.
In a world where financial landscapes are constantly shifting, one thing is clear: the fusion of traditional assets with blockchain technology is not just a passing trend. It’s a transformative force that’s here to stay, reshaping the contours of finance as we know it.
Source
This article is based on: GSR, DigiFT Brings OTC Trading to $13.4B Tokenized Real-World Asset Market
Further Reading
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
