In a pivotal moment for the future of digital finance, Hong Kong is positioning itself at the forefront of the global Real-World Assets (RWA) revolution. Just one day before the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government released its Hong Kong Digital Assets Development Policy Statement 2.0 on June 26, the WCS·2025 RWA Industry Summit—the world’s first international conference dedicated exclusively to RWA—was successfully held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This landmark event not only celebrated the one-year anniversary of the RWA Research Institute, but also marked a turning point in the convergence of blockchain innovation and traditional economic value.
With over a thousand attendees filling the Citibank Lecture Hall at HKUST, the summit served as a powerful catalyst for global collaboration, bringing together leaders from top-tier enterprises, academia, legal institutions, investment firms, and policy think tanks. The energy in the room reflected a shared vision: to build a transparent, efficient, and compliant digital economy where real-world assets seamlessly integrate with decentralized technologies.
The Strategic Vision: LEAP Forward with RWA
The newly unveiled Digital Assets Declaration 2.0 outlines Hong Kong’s “LEAP” strategy—Legal & Regulatory optimization, Expansion of tokenized products, Application scenarios development, and Partnership across sectors—aiming to transform the city into a global innovation hub for digital assets.
This policy momentum was mirrored at the WCS·2025 summit, where speakers emphasized Hong Kong’s unique advantages: a robust common law system with over 180 years of legal tradition, bilingual professional services, free port status, progressive stablecoin regulations, regulatory sandboxes, and deep capital markets.
👉 Discover how Hong Kong is shaping the future of asset tokenization
As Dr.林家礼 (Lin Jiali), former Chairman of Cyberport, stated:
"Hong Kong is no longer just an asset management center—it is evolving into a digital asset management nexus, leveraging its strengths to drive pragmatic and scalable RWA adoption."
RWA: Bridging Web3 and the Real Economy
At its core, RWA (Real-World Asset tokenization) represents the integration of physical or financial assets—such as real estate, commodities, invoices, or even cultural artifacts—onto blockchain networks through digital tokens. This enables fractional ownership, 24/7 trading, cross-border liquidity, and programmable compliance.
During the keynote session titled RWA’s Integration Opportunities in the Real Economy, experts highlighted practical pathways for implementation:
- HuDanfeng, CEO of Hainan Huatie, emphasized that successful RWA adoption begins with assets that are both "online and on-chain" and ideally "in operation and on-chain"—ensuring data integrity through hardware-level integration. His company has already digitized nearly RMB 26 billion in equipment assets, setting a benchmark for industrial-scale RWA deployment.
- Gao Lili, founder of Hardcore Nut Capital, pointed to premium consumer goods, especially aged baijiu (Chinese liquor), as prime candidates for tokenization due to their scarcity, appreciation over time, and limited physical circulation.
- Peng Cheng, founder of EcoPlants, illustrated how RWA can create a self-sustaining loop: real asset → digital twin → value circulation, particularly in tourism and cultural heritage sectors.
These insights underscore a key trend: RWA is moving beyond theory into actionable business models.
Legal & Compliance: The Foundation of Trust
One of the most critical discussions centered on regulatory frameworks. Wang Shanliang, Vice Chair of Dentons China and head of its Web3 Research Center, delivered a compelling speech titled Compliance as an Accelerator for RWA Ecosystem Growth. He outlined six pillars of a robust RWA compliance framework:
- Domestic legal recognition of tokenized assets
- International regulatory coordination
- Stablecoin issuance and transaction legality
- On-chain transparency
- Off-chain asset verification
- AML/KYC/CRF protocols
He stressed that compliance isn’t a barrier—it’s what builds trust, reduces risk, accelerates innovation, and enables global interoperability.
Similarly, Bai Haifeng, author of the first RWA-focused academic book RWA and Tokenization, called for a dedicated Tokenization Act to replace outdated financial regulations that fail to capture the nuances of blockchain-based assets.
“If RWA is the treasure of the digital age,” said Bai, “then compliance is the key that unlocks it.”
👉 Explore secure and compliant ways to engage with digital assets
Institutional Momentum: Strategic Partnerships Take Shape
The summit wasn’t just about ideas—it was about action. Several high-impact collaborations were announced:
- Hainan Huatie partnered with the RWA Research Institute to advance asset tokenization, valuation standards, and global circulation.
- The RWA Research Institute signed strategic agreements with Japan International Business Academy and Sichuan Shuliang Zongheng, expanding its academic and technical footprint.
- The launch of the RWA Listed Companies Committee (in preparation) signals growing institutional interest from public enterprises seeking compliant digital transformation.
Additionally, honors were bestowed upon key contributors:
- Xu Yuanzhong – Dean of Metaverse Institute
- Li Jingnan – Brand IP Institute Director ("Brand RWA First Woman")
- Shi Xingguo & Zheng Wenbin – Co-Directors of Technical Security Committee
These appointments reflect a maturing ecosystem where expertise in branding, security, law, and technology converge.
The Future Is Programmable: Web3 Meets Traditional Finance
In a visionary panel on RWA and DeFi Convergence, dForce founder Yang Mindao articulated a bold thesis:
“RWA is not just about tokenizing bonds or real estate—it’s about upgrading the entire financial ledger infrastructure. When $250 billion in idle stablecoins seek yield, RWA becomes the bridge between capital and real-world returns.”
He predicted that stocks will evolve from passive income instruments into programmable rights tokens, enabling dynamic governance, dividend automation, and embedded compliance.
Eliora, Chief Strategy Officer at PicWe, added:
“RWA injects traditional finance with Web3’s speed, transparency, and community power—reshaping how value flows globally.”
FAQ: Your Questions About RWA Answered
What is RWA (Real-World Asset tokenization)?
RWA refers to the process of representing tangible or financial assets—like real estate, invoices, art, or commodities—as blockchain-based tokens. These tokens enable fractional ownership, faster settlement, and borderless trading while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Why is Hong Kong becoming a global RWA leader?
Hong Kong combines a mature financial ecosystem with forward-thinking policies like stablecoin regulation and regulatory sandboxes. Its common law system, bilingual talent pool, and role as a gateway between East and West make it ideal for cross-border RWA deployment.
How does RWA benefit traditional industries?
Industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and consumer goods can unlock liquidity by tokenizing equipment, receivables, or inventory. For example, construction machinery worth billions can be fractionalized and leased globally via smart contracts.
Is RWA safe and legally recognized?
Safety depends on robust legal frameworks and technical audits. Hong Kong is actively developing regulations for tokenized securities and stablecoins. Projects must ensure off-chain asset backing, transparent audits, and adherence to AML/KYC rules.
Can small businesses benefit from RWA?
Yes. SMEs can use RWA to access alternative financing by tokenizing future revenue streams or equipment. Platforms built on compliant infrastructure allow smaller players to participate in global capital markets without intermediaries.
What role does AI play in RWA development?
AI enhances asset valuation accuracy, fraud detection in data streams, predictive maintenance for tokenized hardware, and automated compliance monitoring—making RWA systems smarter and more resilient.
A New Era Begins at HKUST
As Xu Yuanzhong poignantly remarked:
“We are transitioning from the physical universe to a hybrid metaverse. RWA is the mirror that reflects real assets into this new digital realm.”
With Hong Kong’s policy support aligning with technological readiness and institutional adoption, 2025 may indeed be remembered as the 'Genesis Year' of RWA.
The summit concluded with a powerful message: this isn’t just about technology or finance—it’s about building a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient global economy.
👉 Join the movement transforming real-world assets through blockchain innovation
As attendees left the scenic Clear Water Bay campus, they carried more than notes—they carried a mission: to make RWA the value bridge between reality and the digital future, powered by innovation, guided by compliance, and rooted in real economic impact.