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Bahrain’s ATME Disrupts $1B Tokenized Gold Market Amid Surging RWA Demand

Arry Hashemi
Arry Hashemi
Mar. 12, 2025
Bahrain-regulated crypto exchange ATME has officially entered the booming tokenized gold market, rolling out its first gold-backed tokens. This move aligns with the growing demand for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), allowing investors to trade digital representations of physical assets on blockchain networks.
ATMEATME’s gold-backed tokens represent 1KG of secured gold, tradable or redeemable—making gold investment easy, liquid, and cost-efficient. (Image Source: ATME on Linkedin)

Bridging Gold and Blockchain

ATME’s new gold-backed tokens represent one kilogram of physical gold, securely stored in custody. These tokens can be traded on ATME’s platform or redeemed for physical gold, making gold investments more accessible, liquid, and cost-efficient.

Alex Lola, CEO of ATME, explained the significance of this launch:

“By combining the timeless value of gold with blockchain technology, we are unlocking new ways for investors to access and trade high-value assets.”

The tokenized gold market is currently valued at $1.2 billion, led by Paxos’ PAXG and Tether’s XAUT tokens. ATME’s entry into this space reflects increasing investor interest in digitally accessible, stable assets backed by physical commodities.

Why Tokenized Gold?

Gold has historically been a safe-haven asset, especially during economic downturns. However, traditional gold investments come with challenges like high storage costs and logistical complexities. Tokenization eliminates these barriers, allowing for easier trading, lower costs, and greater accessibility.

The surge in gold tokenization coincides with record-high gold prices, driven by:

  • A weaker U.S. dollar
  • Rising inflation concerns
  • Geopolitical uncertainty

As a result, investors are increasingly looking at stable, asset-backed digital instruments to diversify their portfolios.

The Growth of Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs)

Tokenization isn’t limited to gold. ATME plans to expand into other asset classes, including real estate and commodities, as part of a broader push to digitize financial markets.

The global RWA tokenization market is projected to grow significantly, with major financial institutions like HSBC already launching tokenized gold products. Experts predict the industry could reach $30 trillion by 2030, as traditional finance integrates blockchain solutions for greater efficiency.

Advantages of Tokenizing Gold and RWAs

By leveraging blockchain, tokenized gold offers:

  • Fractional ownership – Allows smaller investments in gold
  • Instant, borderless transactions – No need for intermediaries
  • Increased liquidity – Trade anytime, anywhere
  • Transparency and security – Blockchain ensures authenticity and traceability

These benefits are attracting institutional investors, who see tokenized assets as a bridge between traditional and digital finance.

Challenges in the Tokenized Gold Market

Despite its potential, gold-backed tokens and RWAs face hurdles, including:

  • Regulatory uncertainty – Different jurisdictions have varying rules on asset-backed tokens
  • Security risks – Digital assets are susceptible to fraud and hacking
  • Custody concerns – Investors need assurance that the underlying assets are safely stored

As the sector grows, clearer regulations and advanced security solutions will be key to driving adoption.

The Future of Asset Tokenization

The tokenization of real-world assets is poised to reshape global finance, unlocking trillions of dollars in value and making traditionally illiquid assets more accessible and tradeable.

With its entry into tokenized gold, ATME is positioning itself at the forefront of this financial transformation, merging traditional commodities with blockchain technology. As investors increasingly seek secure, digital-first alternatives to store and transfer value, platforms like ATME will play a critical role in shaping the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and asset management.