A shift is unfolding in real estate investing. RealEstate.Exchange (REX), powered by DigiShares, has launched on Polygon, enabling fractional ownership of high-value properties through blockchain. This move promises to give the public access to luxury real estate while tackling long-standing liquidity challenges.
Why Polygon Emerged as the Blockchain of Choice
REX chose Polygon’s network for its blend of affordability, speed, and security. Transactions on the proof-of-stake chain cost mere cents, settle in minutes, and shield users from volatile gas fees. Additionally, Polygon’s scalability ensures seamless trading even during peak demand. Currently ranked 13th by trading volume, Polygon’s infrastructure supports REX’s vision of frictionless global property markets.
Luxury Miami Properties Lead Initial Listings
The platform debuts with two premium Miami assets: the 529-unit Legacy Hotel & Residences, managed by FraXion, and a 38-unit residential complex by Trade Estate. These offerings let retail investors buy tokens representing fractional stakes, starting as low as $100.
Furthermore, REX plans to add five to six more properties soon, spanning residential, commercial, and luxury sectors. CEO Claus Skaaning emphasises inclusivity: “We’re breaking barriers between everyday investors and elite real estate.”
Regulatory Hurdles for Global Expansion
Compliance anchors REX’s strategy. Partnering with SEC-registered broker-dealer Texture Capital grants U.S. market access. At the same time, the platform is being tested on EU frameworks via a blockchain sandbox, seeking approvals under MiCA and MiFID regulations.
As of no REX eyes licenses in South Africa and the UAE, regions are rapidly embracing tokenisation. DigiShare’’s track record facilitating up to $200 million in tokenised assets since 2018 gives confidence in its regulatory navigation.
RWA Tokenisation Market Goes Beyond Real Estate
Tokenised real estate is just one slice of a booming sector. The broader real-world asset (RWA) market, encompassing art, debt, and equities, now totals $62 billion.
Security Token Market data reveals 595 active property tokens. The highest among asset classes yet, their $4.4 billion valuation trails debt and equity tokens. Competitors like Blocksquare and Mantra intensify the race with the expansion into Dubai after securing local licensing.
Will It Be the Next Trillion-Dollar Industry?
Despite its infancy, RWA tokenisation could soon explode into a trillion-dollar arena. John Patrick Mullin, Mantra’s CEO, notes current volumes are “a drop in the ocean” compared to projections.
As blockchain adoption accelerates, assets from skyscrapers to patents may migrate onchain. “We’re laying rails for a financial revolution,” Mullin states. REX’s launch epitomises this momentum, merging tradition with innovation to reshape ownership.
A New Era for Investors and Markets
REX’s arrival signals more than a platform launch; it heralds a liquidity revolution. By converting static assets into tradeable tokens, secondary markets unlock flexibility previously reserved for stocks.
For instance, investors can now exit real estate positions without waiting months for sales. As global regulations evolve and blockchain matures, tokenisation may soon dominate how we own, trade, and perceive value, one fraction at a time.
Written By Fazal Ul Vahab C H
