GCC Tokenisation Market Set to Hit $500bn by 2030

Why It Matters

The forecast signals a transformative wave for Gulf capital markets, promising new liquidity, broader investor access, and a competitive edge in the global digital‑asset arena.

Key Takeaways

• GCC tokenisation could reach $500bn by 2030
• UAE leads with clear regulatory framework and real‑estate projects
• Private markets gain liquidity via fractional ownership tokens
• Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman launch tokenisation infrastructure initiatives
• Integrated issuance, custody, settlement needed for institutional markets

Pulse Analysis

The tokenisation of real‑world assets is reshaping how capital is mobilised worldwide. While the global on‑chain RWA market is set to expand ten‑fold within three years, the Gulf Cooperation Council stands out for its concentrated wealth and appetite for alternative investments. By converting illiquid assets into programmable tokens, the region can tap previously inaccessible capital, reduce transaction costs, and accelerate cross‑border financing, positioning itself as a digital‑asset hub that rivals established financial centres.

In the GCC, the United Arab Emirates is already translating policy into practice. A robust regulatory sandbox, spearheaded by the Dubai Land Department, targets AED 60 billion of tokenised real‑estate assets by 2033, offering investors fractional stakes and streamlined settlement. Parallel efforts in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman are laying the groundwork for national tokenisation infrastructures, from real‑estate registries to central‑bank‑led frameworks. These initiatives reflect a coordinated push to embed blockchain into core financial services, fostering institutional confidence and attracting foreign capital.

For investors and financial institutions, the implications are profound. Tokenisation promises deeper market liquidity, lower entry thresholds, and enhanced transparency, which could democratise access to high‑value assets such as private equity, funds and commodities. However, realising this potential hinges on integrated end‑to‑end ecosystems that combine issuance, custody, settlement and secondary trading under unified standards. As GCC regulators refine their approaches, the region is poised to set a benchmark for scalable, compliant digital‑asset markets, driving both economic diversification and long‑term value creation.