In 2025, real-world assets (RWAs) are the new big thing. As reported by RWA.xyz, over $21.2 billion in such assets have been tokenized on-chain. The $227 billion in other stablecoins is not captured in this analysis. Second, the rise of Real-World Asset NFTs (RWA NFTs) marks a huge milestone in the evolving digital asset space. Polygon has already passed Ethereum in terms of NFT sales volume, largely thanks to the Courtyard collection that is collateralized by real world assets.

The Rise of RWA NFTs

The growing demand for RWAs indicates strong market sentiment for bridging real-world assets to the blockchain. This trend is reaching a more diverse audience — the number of unique holders of tokenized RWAs has surpassed 97,000. The Courtyard collection, which encompasses physical cards, has brought in $20.7 million in sales, showcasing the power of RWA NFTs.

Luckily for Roberts, the astonishing success of the Courtyard collection is no fluke. That makes it 24% of the total NFT sales volume, which is $92.9 million. This week’s performance is more impressive than all other NFT projects combined. Most importantly though, it cements RWA NFTs as one of the hottest trends in the market.

Polygon's Dominance

Polygon's recent success can be attributed to the Courtyard collection's popularity. As the foundation for tokenized real-world assets, Polygon offers a home for both investors and collectors. Polygon’s recent explosion in activity has pushed it temporarily past Ethereum in NFT sales volume. This accomplishment is impressive in its own right, but it represents an important moment for the network.

Polygon’s native token, MATIC, is hovering around $0.216. If the trajectory of RWA NFTs doesn’t change, MATIC has room to 3X from here. This possible expansion is indicative of how confident people are feeling about Polygon’s future involvement in the RWA market.

Future Implications

The introduction of RWA NFTs has bigger consequences for the blockchain industry. RWAs seem to be cracking the code on bringing real-world, physical assets into the world of digital tokens. This creates unique new opportunities for investment and innovation. As an increasing number of real-world assets continue to be tokenized, the need for interoperability platforms such as Polygon will only become more apparent.