The future of finance is being reshaped by blockchain technology—and at the forefront of this transformation is Stellar, a proven, secure, and compliant network purpose-built for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. With over a decade of operation, Stellar has established itself as a trusted platform for financial institutions, governments, fintechs, and humanitarian organizations seeking to digitize assets while maintaining regulatory alignment and operational efficiency.
Whether you're exploring tokenized treasuries, stablebonds, or digital payment assets, Stellar offers a robust infrastructure that combines speed, transparency, and global accessibility. The network supports 24/7 asset issuance from nearly anywhere in the world and connects to a distribution ecosystem spanning 180 countries.
What Is RWA Tokenization?
Real-world asset tokenization refers to the process of converting physical or traditional financial assets—like cash, bonds, commodities, or equities—into digital tokens on a blockchain. These tokens represent ownership and can be transferred, traded, or settled instantly across borders.
On the Stellar network, asset tokenization is not just technically efficient—it’s designed with compliance and institutional trust in mind. This makes Stellar uniquely positioned to bridge traditional finance (TradFi) with the decentralized future.
👉 Discover how asset tokenization can unlock new financial opportunities on a secure, global network.
Types of Tokenized Assets on Stellar
Payment Assets
Payment assets on Stellar include stablecoins and other digital representations of fiat currencies. Backed by real-world reserves, these assets maintain stable value and enable fast, low-cost transactions across borders—ideal for remittances, payments, and everyday commerce.
Examples include USDC and EURC issued on Stellar, offering users near-instant settlement with minimal fees. These assets are increasingly adopted by institutions aiming to modernize cross-border payment rails.
Investment Assets
Stellar also supports tokenized investment vehicles, such as money market funds, bonds, equities, and commodities. These digital assets provide investors with programmable access to yield-bearing instruments while ensuring auditability and transparency.
Institutional investors benefit from 24/7 settlement capabilities and reduced counterparty risk, making asset management more efficient and accessible globally.
Trusted by Leading Financial Institutions
Stellar isn’t just another blockchain—it’s a platform chosen by major financial players for its reliability, compliance framework, and scalability.
- Paxos, a leader in regulated blockchain infrastructure, partners with Stellar to expand access to trustworthy stablecoins for global institutions.
- SG-FORGE, a subsidiary of Société Générale, leverages Stellar’s network to advance stablecoin adoption within traditional finance.
- Circle, issuer of USDC, collaborates closely with the Stellar Development Foundation to promote financial inclusion through mobile-first, low-cost payment solutions.
“We are excited to partner with Stellar to make trustworthy stablecoins more accessible to global institutions. Stablecoins will revolutionize the global financial system and open access to people around the world.”
– Charles Cascarilla, CEO and Co-Founder, Paxos“The bedrock of Circle’s deep alliance with the Stellar Development Foundation is our shared commitment to advancing financial inclusion.”
– Rachel Mayer, VP of Product Management, Circle
These partnerships reflect a growing consensus: Stellar provides the security, compliance, and interoperability that institutions demand.
Key Benefits of Asset Tokenization on Stellar
Native Asset Controls
Stellar’s protocol includes built-in features for managing digital assets securely:
- Approve or revoke trustlines
- Freeze or unfreeze assets when necessary
- Enforce KYC/AML compliance at the protocol level
This gives issuers full control over their tokens without relying on third-party smart contracts.
Built-in Smart Contract Functionality
Unlike blockchains requiring complex external smart contracts, Stellar integrates essential programmable logic natively. This reduces development time, minimizes vulnerabilities, and accelerates time-to-market for new financial products.
Trust-Based Consensus Protocol
Stellar uses the innovative Proof of Agreement (PoA) consensus mechanism—a federated model that prioritizes safety, fault tolerance, and energy efficiency. It ensures predictable transaction finality (typically under 5 seconds) while maintaining decentralization and resistance to censorship.
Lower Operating Costs
By eliminating redundant intermediaries and enabling atomic settlements, Stellar significantly reduces operational overhead. All transactions are recorded on an immutable ledger, supporting real-time auditing and reconciliation.
Global Distribution Ecosystem
With integrations across wallets, exchanges, banking partners, and off-ramps in 180+ countries, Stellar ensures broad market access. Assets issued on the network can reach end users seamlessly—whether they're in New York, Nairobi, or Singapore.
Seamless Enterprise Integration
For enterprises requiring private transaction handling or hybrid deployment models, the Stellar connector for Hyperledger Cacti offers a powerful solution. This integration enables:
- Controlled access to public blockchain data
- Enhanced privacy for sensitive operations
- Regulatory compliance without sacrificing transparency
This bridge between enterprise systems and public blockchains allows financial institutions to innovate securely while adhering to strict data governance standards.
Real-World Use Cases: How Organizations Are Using Stellar
Nonco: Collateralizing Derivatives with Tokenized Assets
Nonco, an institutional crypto trading firm processing over $5 billion monthly, uses Stellar-based assets to collateralize financial derivatives. By tokenizing reserves on Stellar, Nonco achieves faster settlement cycles and improved liquidity management—critical advantages in high-frequency trading environments.
WisdomTree: Expanding ETF Access via Tokenization
Global asset manager WisdomTree leverages Stellar to explore tokenized versions of its exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This allows fractional ownership, 24/7 trading, and direct investor access—democratizing investment opportunities previously limited by geography or minimums.
Novatti & GMO-Z.com: Launching Localized Stablecoins
- Novatti launched an Australian Dollar (AUD)-pegged stablecoin using Stellar’s infrastructure.
- GMO-Z.com Trust Company introduced GYEN (Japanese Yen) and ZUSD (US Dollar) stablecoins on the network.
These initiatives highlight how Stellar empowers local financial innovation with global interoperability.
Get Started: The Stellar Asset Sandbox
New to asset issuance? The Stellar Asset Sandbox allows issuers to experiment with tokenization on the testnet—no coding required. It’s a risk-free environment to explore:
- Creating custom tokens
- Setting trustlines and controls
- Simulating cross-border transfers
This sandbox lowers the barrier to entry and helps teams validate concepts before going live.
👉 Start experimenting with asset tokenization in a secure, no-code environment today.
Developer Resources & Next Steps
For technical teams ready to build, Stellar offers comprehensive developer documentation covering every aspect of asset issuance—from setting up wallets to integrating compliance tools.
Additionally:
- Explore the Policymaker’s Guide to CBDCs, developed with support from the World Bank and Alliance for Financial Inclusion.
- Learn the basics of the network with Intro to the Stellar Network, ideal for newcomers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What types of real-world assets can be tokenized on Stellar?
A: Virtually any asset with measurable value—fiat currencies (e.g., USD, EUR), government bonds, treasury bills, commodities, equities, and even carbon credits—can be represented as digital tokens on Stellar.
Q: Is Stellar compliant with financial regulations?
A: Yes. Stellar was built with regulatory compliance in mind. Features like native KYC integration, asset freezing, and issuer control help meet AML/CFT requirements across jurisdictions.
Q: How fast are transactions on the Stellar network?
A: Transactions settle in under 5 seconds with extremely low fees (fractions of a cent), making it one of the fastest and most cost-effective blockchains for asset transfer.
Q: Can I issue my own stablecoin on Stellar?
A: Absolutely. Many organizations have successfully issued regulated stablecoins on Stellar. You’ll need a compliant custodian and adherence to local regulations—but the technical framework is fully supported.
Q: Does Stellar support cross-chain interoperability?
A: Yes. Through integrations like Hyperledger Cacti and various bridge protocols, Stellar connects seamlessly with other blockchains and enterprise systems.
Q: Who uses Stellar today?
A: Major players including Circle (USDC), Paxos, WisdomTree, Novatti, GMO-Z.com, and central banks exploring CBDCs use or have piloted solutions on Stellar.
Stellar continues to lead the charge in bringing real-world value onto blockchain networks—offering a rare combination of speed, security, compliance, and global reach. As digital finance evolves, Stellar stands ready as the infrastructure layer powering the next generation of financial innovation.