SUSMAN

According to Cointelegraph, the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) is poised to transform the real estate investment sector, which is traditionally characterized by high illiquidity, numerous intermediaries, and elevated transaction costs. Polygon CEO Mark Boiron highlighted the potential of property tokenization to streamline processes by eliminating unnecessary intermediaries, thereby reducing transaction costs.

Boiron emphasized that fractional ownership and the ability to trade tokenized real estate on secondary markets could significantly enhance liquidity and accelerate the velocity of money. He noted that the primary goal is to eliminate the illiquidity discount associated with real estate, which inherently reduces its value. By making real estate liquid, its value could increase substantially.

A notable example of this innovation is the Lumia Towers project in Istanbul, Turkey. This $220 million commercial real estate development, featuring two skyscrapers with 300 mixed-use units, utilized Polygon's technology for tokenization. Boiron expressed that the future of real estate lies in onchain solutions, although regulatory bodies need to become comfortable with blockchain technology and public permissionless systems before tokenized real estate can become the standard.

In the United States, companies like Quarter are offering tokenized alternatives to traditional debt-based home mortgages, aiming to enhance home ownership affordability. This is achieved by assigning fractionalized equity rights to both property investors and prospective home buyers, allowing these rights to be sold, thus deviating from conventional mortgage financing.

In February 2025, Blocksquare introduced a real estate tokenization framework for the European Union, facilitating the assignment and transfer of equity rights onchain. Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), real estate asset tokenization is gaining traction in one of the world's most dynamic real estate markets. Tokinvest founder and CEO Scott Thiel noted that UAE property developers are increasingly turning to tokenization as an alternative to traditional financing structures.

Additionally, stablecoin issuer Tether partnered with real estate platform Reelly Tech in February 2025 to promote the use of USDt (USDT) in real estate transactions within the UAE. This collaboration underscores the growing integration of blockchain technology in the real estate sector, signaling a shift towards more innovative and efficient investment models.