Unlocking Wealth: Tokenized Gold’s Ascent as the True Digital Gold in Crypto

For years, Bitcoin (BTC) has proudly worn the mantle of ‘digital gold.’ Its scarcity and decentralized nature made it a compelling alternative to traditional safe-haven assets. However, a significant shift is now underway. As tokenized gold emerges, bringing physical bullion onto the blockchain, a crucial question arises: Is gold itself, in its new digital form, the true digital gold?

This evolving narrative captivates the cryptocurrency community. Gold has experienced a remarkable resurgence in 2025, reaching unprecedented highs. Geopolitical tensions, record central bank purchases, and concerns over persistent inflation have all contributed to its impressive performance. Consequently, this traditional asset is attracting renewed investor attention. Meanwhile, the crypto sector continues its rapid innovation. We are seeing major advancements in decentralized finance (DeFi), real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and significant movements in corporate finance. This week’s Crypto Biz delves into gold’s rally, the expansion of DeFi lending, the latest public offerings from crypto companies, and strategic industry mergers.

The Resurgence of Gold and the Rise of Tokenized Gold

Gold has demonstrated its enduring appeal as a store of value. It gained approximately 35% year-to-date, climbing to fresh all-time highs above $3,600 an ounce. This performance underscores its role as a hedge against economic uncertainty. Furthermore, the metal is now embracing blockchain technology. This integration allows for unprecedented accessibility and liquidity. Indeed, the tokenization trend is rapidly accelerating.

US retirement planners now have a novel way to access this precious metal. A partnership between Chintai Nexus and SmartGold facilitates this access. This initiative adds significant momentum to the broader tokenization movement. Tokenization is attracting increasing institutional interest in digital assets. Moreover, it bridges the gap between traditional finance and the blockchain world. Investors can now seamlessly integrate physical gold into their digital portfolios.

US IRAs Gain Access to Tokenized Gold

IRA provider SmartGold has strategically partnered with tokenization platform Chintai Nexus. This collaboration allows investors to bring their vaulted gold on-chain. Once tokenized, this digital representation of gold can be used to earn yield through various DeFi lending platforms. Platforms like Morpho and Kamino offer new avenues for passive income. For those opting in, SmartGold’s IRA-held bullion is tokenized on a one-to-one basis via Chintai. This process creates a verifiable digital representation of the underlying physical gold. Crucially, it preserves the self-directed IRA’s tax-deferred status. This innovation offers significant advantages:

• Enhanced Liquidity: Tokenized gold can be traded 24/7 on global markets.
• Fractional Ownership: Investors can buy and sell smaller units of gold.
• Increased Transparency: Blockchain records provide an immutable audit trail.
• DeFi Integration: Use gold as collateral for loans or yield farming.

Beyond SmartGold, the tokenized gold trend is gaining considerable traction. International Precious Metals Bullion Group recently introduced tokenized products across its supply chain. Additionally, Tether’s gold-backed stablecoin, XAUT, has seen its market value surge past $1.3 billion. These developments highlight the growing confidence in digital representations of physical assets. Consequently, investors gain more options for diversification and yield generation within the digital asset ecosystem.

Driving Innovation: DeFi Lending and Real-World Assets (RWAs)

Decentralized finance lending is experiencing remarkable growth, especially among institutions. The rapid rise of stablecoins and Real-World Assets (RWAs) drives fresh network activity. According to Binance Research, total value locked (TVL) in DeFi lending protocols has climbed an astounding 72% so far this year. It rose from $53 billion to $127 billion. This expansion signifies a maturing market.

Binance Research noted in a recent report, “As stablecoin and tokenized asset adoption accelerates, DeFi lending protocols are increasingly positioned to facilitate institutional participation.” This trend indicates a pivotal moment for DeFi. It moves beyond speculative assets to integrate tangible, value-backed assets. Therefore, institutions can leverage the efficiency and transparency of blockchain for traditional financial activities.

The Rise of Real-World Assets

Real-World Assets (RWAs) have emerged as one of crypto’s fastest-growing use cases in 2025. This sector’s market has expanded to nearly $28 billion. Tokenized private credit and US Treasury bonds lead this growth. Tokenized equities are also gaining significant ground. RWAs bring stability and predictable returns to the often-volatile crypto market. They represent physical or intangible assets with real-world value. These assets are then converted into digital tokens on a blockchain. This process allows for:

• Global Access: Investors worldwide can access previously illiquid assets.
• Reduced Costs: Eliminates intermediaries and streamlines processes.
• Enhanced Collateral: Provides stable, tangible collateral for DeFi loans.
• New Investment Opportunities: Opens up new markets for traditional assets.

The integration of RWAs with DeFi lending platforms creates a powerful synergy. It offers institutions a secure and efficient way to engage with digital finance. This movement solidifies DeFi’s role as a critical component of the future financial landscape. Furthermore, it validates the potential of blockchain to revolutionize traditional asset management. The growth in RWAs suggests a long-term trend of convergence.

Strategic Moves: Crypto IPOs and Industry Consolidation

The cryptocurrency industry continues to mature, attracting significant mainstream financial attention. A clear indicator of this maturation is the increasing number of companies pursuing public offerings. These moves signal a desire for greater transparency and broader investor access. Moreover, they provide capital for further innovation and expansion.

Figure Technology Eyes $526 Million IPO

Figure Technology Solutions has become the latest crypto-focused company to pursue a US initial public offering (IPO). The company aims to raise up to $526 million. This ambitious move targets a valuation of more than $4 billion. According to regulatory filings, Figure plans to sell 21.5 million shares. The shares are priced between $18 and $20. Figure had previously signaled its intention to go public. If the deal proceeds as expected, the IPO could be priced as early as Wednesday. This event would mark a significant milestone for the company and the broader crypto market.

Figure is best known for offering financial products on the Provenance Blockchain. It reported $191 million in revenue during the first half of the year. While the targeted valuation may appear ambitious, the company was valued at $3.2 billion in 2021. This indicates strong investor confidence in its long-term potential. Several other crypto companies have recently gone public or indicated plans to do so. As Crypto News Insights reported, crypto exchange Gemini is pursuing a listing that could raise up to $317 million. Separate reports suggest Kraken is seeking to raise about $500 million. These Crypto IPOs signify a growing acceptance of digital asset businesses within traditional financial markets.

Gryphon Finalizes Merger with American Bitcoin

Beyond IPOs, the crypto sector also sees significant consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. Shareholders of Gryphon Digital Mining have approved a merger with American Bitcoin. American Bitcoin is a mining company linked to the family of US President Donald Trump. The combined entity will trade under the ticker symbol “ABTC.” As part of the deal, a reverse stock split reduced Gryphon’s outstanding shares. Shares went from about 82.8 million to approximately 16.6 million. This move follows an initial agreement announced in May. At that time, American Bitcoin outlined its intention to go public through a merger with Gryphon.

American Bitcoin itself is a rebrand of American Data Center. It launched in March by Trump’s sons. The company is affiliated with mining giant Hut 8. At its debut, the company described itself as a “pure-play” Bitcoin miner. It also outlined plans to accumulate significant holdings of the cryptocurrency. Such mergers aim to achieve economies of scale and increase market share. They also reflect a strategic effort to consolidate resources in the competitive Bitcoin mining industry. Consequently, the industry becomes more robust and efficient. These strategic maneuvers shape the future landscape of the crypto business.

Conclusion: The Evolving Landscape of Crypto Business

The cryptocurrency business landscape is dynamic and rapidly evolving. Gold’s impressive rally and its transformation into tokenized gold challenge the long-held notion of Bitcoin as the sole digital gold. This innovation provides new avenues for investors seeking stability and yield. Furthermore, the surge in DeFi lending, driven by the increasing adoption of Real-World Assets, is revolutionizing how institutions interact with blockchain technology. This integration brings tangible value and greater efficiency to traditional finance.

Meanwhile, the increasing number of Crypto IPOs and strategic mergers reflects an industry maturing rapidly. These developments pave the way for broader institutional adoption and greater market stability. The convergence of traditional assets with blockchain technology is no longer a distant dream. It is a present reality. As this sector continues to innovate, investors and enthusiasts alike can anticipate further groundbreaking developments. The future of finance looks increasingly decentralized and interconnected.