RWA Tokens Lead Post-Selloff Rally as Crypto Market Finds Its Footing

Key Takeaways

• The total on-chain value of RWA tokenization markets has hit $17.1 billion, marking a strong recovery.
• RWA-related tokens outperformed the broader crypto market, which gained 7% in 24 hours.
• Mantra, Ondo Finance, and Chintai led the rally.

After a brutal $400 billion market wipeout, crypto is staging a recovery—led by real-world asset (RWA) tokens. The total on-chain value of the RWA sector has rebounded to $17.1 billion, nearing its mid-January highs.

RWA tokens have outperformed the broader market, buoyed by improving sentiment following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

While Bitcoin reclaimed $100,000, many altcoins remain sluggish. In contrast, RWA-linked assets have posted some of the strongest gains, signaling renewed investor interest in tokenized real-world assets.

RWA Tokens Outperform Broader Market

While the overall crypto market saw a 7% gain in 24 hours, RWA-related tokens posted even stronger moves:

• Mantra (OM) surged 23% to $6.
• Ondo Finance (ONDO) jumped 27% to $1.40 after dipping below $1.10 the prior day.
• Chintai (CHEX), a Singapore-regulated token, soared 38% to $0.60, recovering from a drop below $0.40.
• Other RWA-focused assets like Algorand (ALGO) , XDC Network (XDC), Quant (QNT), and Pendle (PENDLE) also outperformed.

Who owns RWA tokens? | Credit: RWA.xyz

RWA adoption has been on an upward trajectory, with the sector’s total value locked (TVL) up 95% year-over-year, according to RWA.xyz.

Since November alone, RWA TVL has grown by 26%, adding $4 billion in value. The sector is now dominated by private credit (70%) and U.S. Treasury-backed tokenized assets (21%).

Institutional Interest Grows While Retail Pulls Back

On-chain data shows a clear divide in investor sentiment. Institutional players are increasing their exposure to RWA tokens, while retail activity has dropped to its lowest level in years.

The shift suggests that institutions see RWAs as a hedge against market uncertainty, while retail investors remain on the sidelines following the selloff.

This growing institutional focus aligns with broader trends.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has called for regulatory clarity on tokenized securities, predicting a future where traditional assets like stocks and bonds are traded on blockchain networks.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev has also pushed for rules that would allow retail investors greater access to tokenized private equities, a market currently reserved for high-net-worth individuals.

The Market Finds Its Footing—But Can It Hold?

While RWA tokens are leading the rebound, broader crypto market stability remains uncertain.

Total RWA market value rebounded after a recent selloff. | Credit: RWA.xyz

Bitcoin dominance has climbed to 62%, its highest level in years, as investors favor BTC over riskier altcoins.

Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear Greed Index has risen to 72, signaling renewed bullish sentiment—but also the potential for another round of volatility.

As trade tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty persist, RWA tokenization is proving to be one of crypto’s most resilient sectors.

Whether this recovery holds depends not just on crypto fundamentals but on how global markets navigate the next wave of economic and political shifts.