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Sarah Mitchell
July 31, 2026 · 2 min read
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Real-World Asset Derivatives Poised to Overtake Tokenization

Real-World Asset Derivatives Poised to Overtake Tokenization

The Rise of Perpetual Futures in Traditional Finance

Financial experts predict a new wave of crypto innovation. Derivatives based on real-world assets (RWAs) are expected to grow significantly. This development could soon surpass the impact of asset tokenization, according to industry analysts.

This shift marks an important evolution in how traditional finance uses cryptocurrency technology. Tokenization, which converts real assets into digital tokens, was the first major bridge. Now, perpetual futures, or „perps,”are emerging as the next big step.

Why are RWA Perps Gaining Traction?

Martin Lee, a leading markets insight specialist, highlights this trend. He believes that RWA perpetuals will soon become more prevalent than tokenized assets. These financial instruments allow traders to speculate on the future price of an asset without owning it. They offer continuous trading without an expiry date.

This concept, originating in the crypto world, is now being applied to traditional commodities. For example, oil is one real-world asset currently being „perpified.”This means that perpetual contracts are being created for its trading.

# What are RWA perps?

The appeal of perpetual futures lies in their flexibility and leverage. They offer a dynamic way to gain exposure to various assets. Unlike traditional futures, they do not expire, reducing rollover costs and complexities. This makes them attractive for both hedging and speculative strategies in traditional markets. Their integration with real-world assets could unlock new liquidity and trading opportunities.

This move suggests a deeper integration of crypto's financial engineering with traditional markets. It goes beyond simply digitizing assets. It involves adopting crypto-native trading mechanisms for established commodities and financial instruments.

# How do RWA perps differ from tokenization?

RWA perps are perpetual futures contracts based on real-world assets. These contracts allow investors to speculate on the price of commodities or other tangible assets without a fixed expiration date, similar to how they operate in cryptocurrency markets.

Tokenization involves converting a real-world asset into a digital token on a blockchain. RWA perps, however, are derivative contracts that track the price of a real-world asset, offering a way to trade its value without directly owning or holding a tokenized version of the asset itself.

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Content written by Sarah Mitchell for ai-trading-guru.com editorial team, AI-assisted.

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