Payments innovation conference to address tokenization, DeFi integration, and AI in finance
The Federal Reserve is preparing to host a payments innovation conference on October 21, placing tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi) at the center of its agenda. The announcement comes during a record-breaking week for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, which has surged to an all-time high of $27.8 billion in onchain value.
Fed focus on tokenization and DeFi
The conference will feature panel discussions on the tokenization of financial products and services, stablecoin adoption, DeFi convergence with traditional finance, and artificial intelligence in payments.
Fed Governor Christopher Waller emphasized the importance of the event, stating: “I look forward to examining the opportunities and challenges of new technologies, bringing together ideas on how to improve the safety and efficiency of payments, and hearing from those helping to shape the future of payments.”
This marks one of the most direct signals yet that the U.S. central bank is closely watching blockchain-powered payment models.
RWA market at historic peak
According to data from RWA.xyz, the tokenized RWA market has grown 223% since the start of 2025, driven primarily by tokenized private credit and U.S. Treasury debt. Ethereum continues to lead as the primary blockchain for asset tokenization, capturing 56% of market share, or over 77% when including layer-2 solutions.
Analysts say the momentum reflects both institutional adoption and regulatory clarity, especially after stablecoin legislation passed in July.
New launches fuel growth
Adding to the week’s developments, Ondo Finance launched its Ondo Global Markets platform, bringing more than 100 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs onchain. The initiative, powered by Chainlink’s oracle technology, allows non-U.S. investors access to tokenized equities through Ethereum.
Industry experts describe this as a turning point. “With both regulators and innovators moving toward tokenization, we are entering a phase where real-world assets onchain may become as liquid and accessible as traditional securities,” said one blockchain strategist.
The combination of Fed-led dialogue and accelerating tokenized RWA adoption highlights a pivotal moment for the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain-based markets.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.