BlackRock’s Tokenized RWA Ambitions: How Can They Reach the Entire World?

The financial world is shifting toward tokenized real-world assets (RWAs)—stocks, bonds, ETFs, and treasuries that exist natively on the blockchain. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is already taking steps to lead this revolution with its BUIDL fund, a tokenized money market fund backed by U.S. Treasuries.

But here’s the problem: BUIDL is currently only available to accredited investors through Securitize. This means most of the world cannot access it, despite the massive potential of global, 24/7 tokenized asset trading.

So, if BlackRock wants to truly scale tokenized RWAs, how can they do it? How can they reach billions of people worldwide, many of whom don’t have brokerage accounts but do have smartphones?

The Challenge: Tokenized RWAs Need an App That People Actually Use

To sell tokenized assets globally, BlackRock needs:

• A way to reach the masses (not just accredited investors).
• An app or platform that users actually want.
• A frictionless experience—simple, seamless, and viral.
• A regulatory strategy that allows broader access.

Right now, BlackRock has no consumer-facing app and no built-in user base. Most people don’t interact with BlackRock directly—they do it through financial intermediaries.

So, how can BlackRock break out of institutional finance and launch tokenized RWAs to the world?

Five Strategies BlackRock Could Use to Make Tokenized RWAs Global

Partner with Big Tech (Apple, Google, Meta, PayPal)

Instead of building an app from scratch, BlackRock could embed tokenized RWAs into existing platforms that already have billions of users.

• Apple Pay & Google Pay:
  • Imagine buying tokenized ETFs inside Apple Pay with one tap.
  • Apple and Google already handle payments and identity verification—making KYC frictionless.
  • This would make tokenized RWAs as easy to buy as Apple Cash or Google Wallet funds.
• Meta (Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp):
  • Meta has been exploring blockchain finance (Diem, Libra, stablecoins).
  • What if BlackRock partnered with Meta to offer tokenized ETFs inside WhatsApp or Instagram?
• PayPal & Cash App:
  • PayPal and Cash App already allow Bitcoin and Ethereum trading.
  • BlackRock could integrate tokenized RWAs directly into these platforms.

Likelihood: Very High
This is the fastest way to go global overnight without needing to build a new user base.

Launch Tokenized RWAs on Crypto Exchanges (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken)

Crypto exchanges already have millions of users who understand tokenized assets. BlackRock could integrate tokenized RWAs as new trading pairs.

• Coinbase BlackRock ETF Section:
  • Coinbase already works with BlackRock’s Aladdin platform for institutional crypto investment.
  • BlackRock could launch a dedicated “BlackRock Tokenized RWAs” section inside Coinbase where users can buy tokenized ETFs and bonds.
• Binance Global Tokenized RWAs:
  • Binance already trades tokenized stocks in some jurisdictions.
  • BlackRock could license tokenized RWAs directly to Binance for trading in crypto-friendly countries.

Likelihood: High
Crypto exchanges already have the infrastructure and users—BlackRock just needs to plug in.

Acquire or Partner with a Fintech App (Robinhood, Revolut, SoFi, Venmo)

If BlackRock buys or partners with an existing fintech, they instantly get millions of retail users ready to trade tokenized RWAs.

• Buy Robinhood & Add Tokenized RWAs:
  • Robinhood users already trade stocks and crypto in the same app.
  • BlackRock could integrate tokenized ETFs and bonds as new assets.
• Launch a New Fintech App from Scratch:
  • BlackRock could create a “BlackRock RWA App”, similar to Cash App, but focused on tokenized assets.
  • However, this would take years—buying an existing app is much faster.

Likelihood: Medium
Buying a fintech company is expensive but effective for instant market penetration.

Use Stablecoins & DeFi Apps to Distribute RWAs

BlackRock could bypass traditional finance entirely by integrating tokenized RWAs into DeFi protocols and stablecoins.

• Integrate Tokenized RWAs into Aave or MakerDAO:
  • Aave already has institutional DeFi with KYC options.
  • BlackRock could launch tokenized ETFs as collateral for DeFi loans.
• Launch a BlackRock Stablecoin Backed by RWAs:
  • Instead of just tokenizing ETFs, BlackRock could create a stablecoin backed by tokenized treasuries (like what MakerDAO does with DAI).
  • This would let people earn yield on tokenized RWAs without directly buying them.

Likelihood: Medium
DeFi is high-risk and unregulated, so BlackRock might wait for clearer rules before diving in.

Work with Governments & Central Banks

Instead of launching retail apps, BlackRock could partner directly with governments and central banks to tokenize public assets.

• Partner with Central Banks for CBDCs & Tokenized Bonds:
  • BlackRock could work with the Fed or ECB to tokenize government bonds, real estate, and treasuries.
  • This would make tokenized RWAs a core part of national financial infrastructure.
• Institutional Platforms for Banks & Wealth Managers:
  • BlackRock could build a private tokenized RWA exchange for banks and institutions.
  • This would allow hedge funds, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds to access tokenized assets directly.

Likelihood: High
Governments trust BlackRock, so this is a very possible long-term strategy.

Which Strategy Will BlackRock Choose?

BlackRock wants to tokenize RWAs for the entire world—but they need a scalable, mass-market approach.

The most likely first step for BlackRock is to:

• Partner with Apple, Google, or PayPal to add tokenized RWAs to their existing apps.
• Launch RWAs inside Coinbase or Binance, where crypto users already trade tokenized assets.
• Acquire a fintech app like Robinhood or Revolut to get instant retail market access.

In the long term, they will likely work with governments to tokenize public assets and launch institutional RWA platforms.

Final Thoughts: Who Will Win the Tokenized RWA Race?

This battle isn’t just about BlackRock—it’s about who will control the future of tokenized assets.

• Will BlackRock dominate tokenized RWAs through regulated apps?
• Will decentralized finance (DeFi) create an alternative, permissionless tokenized economy?
• Will crypto exchanges (Coinbase, Binance) become the global gateway for tokenized assets?

The race is on, and whoever wins will control the future of global finance.

What do you think?

• Would you buy tokenized RWAs through a BlackRock app?
• Should tokenized RWAs be permissionless or regulated?
• Which company will win the tokenized finance race?

Let me know in the comments!

Explore More:

• The Dark Side of Tokenized Real-World Assets: A Threat to Crypto’s Core Ethos
• The Future of Tokenized RWAs: The Battle Between Centralized Finance, Decentralized Blockchains, and Regulation
• How Michael Saylor, MicroStrategy, and BlackRock Could Choose the Next Bitcoin Fork
• Could Big Tech Destroy Bitcoin’s Value? The Role of Governments and the Risk of Google, Apple, Samsung, and Huawei
• Why Crypto Isn’t Mainstream Yet—And Why Big Tech Might Be the Only Solution