Tokenization’s Real Problem: Who Will Actually Buy?

At the Point Zero Forum 2026, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou highlighted a critical shift in the RWA sector from technical feasibility to the challenge of generating genuine market demand. While institutions and regulators are actively tokenizing bonds, properties, and portfolios, Zhou argues that the industry currently suffers from an oversupply of tokenized assets without a corresponding base of active buyers. He emphasizes that simply placing assets on-chain does not guarantee liquidity or trading volume, which remain the primary hurdles for sustainable growth. Exchanges are evolving into comprehensive financial super-apps that integrate AI to simplify complex on-chain interactions for retail users. Zhou contends that intermediaries and centralized platforms will remain essential to provide trust, custody, and regulatory enforcement in a tokenized economy. By focusing on user-friendly wrappers and personalized wealth management, exchanges aim to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain systems. Ultimately, the industry must pivot from a 'tokenize-first' mentality to one that prioritizes real-world utility and buyer engagement to ensure long-term viability.