For episode 215, we welcome Leon Waidmann, Head of Research at the Onchain Foundation, a nonprofit collective helping Web3 founders navigate the most important trends and opportunities in blockchain for global good.
Over the past year, tokenization has exploded, with over $27 trillion in stablecoin volume in 2024, surpassing the combined volume of Visa and Mastercard transactions, and billions more in tokenized treasuries, credit, and real-world assets. But what’s coming next is even more exciting. As institutions double down on financial RWAs, a new frontier is opening up for Web3 builders: tokenized identity, AI data, IP, education credentials, and more.
Today’s episode is a masterclass on tokenization, and the future of real-world assets onchain. We explore how tokenized infrastructure is transforming access to capital in the Global South, why usability is the next frontier, and how new markets are emerging beyond finance.
From tokenized research and AI data to onchain identity and reputation, this is where tokenization gets interesting.
You’ll learn:
💸 Stablecoins are just the beginning: In regions with unstable local currencies, stablecoins have become a critical store of value. Now, real-world asset tokenization is expanding into bonds, real estate, and gold, unlocking new financial opportunities for individuals historically excluded from traditional markets.
📱 Leapfrogging legacy finance: Just as emerging markets skipped landlines and went straight to mobile, they’re now bypassing outdated financial systems and embracing tokenization at a rapid pace. With fewer entrenched systems, these regions are becoming ground zero for Web3 adoption and innovation.
🔐 Beyond finance lies the next frontier: With proven infrastructure for financial tokenization, attention is turning to identity, intellectual property, and credit protocols. These new markets hold massive potential, but also require solving complex challenges around access, interoperability, and usability.
"Where Founders Should Focus" Report
PIPE gDAO is leveraging blockchain for their University Real World Asset IP Launchpad that helps bring groundbreaking ideas from lab to market. By joining the Pipe Associate Network (aka PAN), associates can create a profile highlighting their skills, be notified of opportunities, and then contribute fractional work to pre-IPO companies in return for equity and tokens.
Check out their Linktree for links to all of their socials so you can get involved and join this growing community!
03:25 - I’d love to kick things off by learning about your journey to Web3. What brought you into the world of Web3, and what led you to your work at the Onchain Foundation?
05:05 - For those who aren’t familiar with Onchain Foundation, can you give us a quick overview of your mission and what you’re working on?
06:50 - Your recent tokenization report highlights how countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, and Brazil are leapfrogging traditional finance with tokenized bonds, real estate, and agricultural assets. What’s driving this innovation, and what can the rest of the world learn from it?
08:25 - Do you see similarities between the growth of Web3 in emerging markets and the massive growth of mobile in recent decades, which also leapfrogged traditional technology?
11:35 - In your view, how can tokenization truly empower underserved communities, especially when it comes to increasing financial inclusion and access to capital?
13:35 - We’re starting to see tokenization move into areas like identity, education, intellectual property, and even social capital. Why is this moment so pivotal, and what use cases excite you most right now?
17:05 - The report mentions that the future isn’t necessarily in tokenizing more assets, but in abstracting access to them. What does that mean in practice and how can builders focus on usability, not just innovation?
19:20 - Many still face barriers to accessing Web3, often due to the frontend user experience. What are some of the key barriers to making Web3 more accessible?
22:45 - What advice would you give to builders working on mission-driven tokenization projects in a market increasingly influenced by institutions and large capital?
24:40 - What are the benefits that tokenization brings to the table? Why can’t these advancements take place offchain?
26:25 - What are some under-the-radar trends in tokenization that you think more people should be paying attention to over the next year or two?
29:05 - The Onchain Foundation is building tools to make research more decentralized, accessible, and collaborative. Can you tell us more about your vision for an open Web3 insights marketplace, and how it supports builders around the world?
33:20 - Your tokenization research paper was a great overview of the opportunities and challenges ahead for tokenization at scale. Do you have any other research papers that you’d like to share with listeners?
36:40 - From the early days of Web3, there has been a strong focus on decentralizing traditional organizations. As time has passed, some organizations have started to embrace mixed models of governance that include both centralized and decentralized elements. Are you seeing this in your research?
38:50 - What’s your CTA for listeners? What’s the best way for them to get involved and learn more about Onchain Foundation?
40:30 - To close, if a young builder or social entrepreneur is listening right now, excited by the possibilities of tokenization for impact, what message would you want to leave them with?
Please note: we make use of affiliate marketing to provide readers with referrals to relevant products and services.
Support thoughtful, independent crypto journalism and help us continue highlighting blockchain’s potential for social and environmental impact.
cryptoaltruists.eth
While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.
