Chainlink LINK Emerges as Key Proxy in 2025’s Dominant RWA Tokenization Trend
Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization emerged as the standout performer in a lackluster crypto market during 2025. While most sectors posted deep losses, RWA tokens delivered an average 185% net growth, becoming the year's most profitable asset class.
The broader altcoin market showed unusual weakness, with even traditional blue-chip narratives like layer-1 blockchains underperforming. chainlink (LINK) became an unexpected beneficiary of the RWA trend, serving as a proxy for tokenized stock exposure, while smaller platforms like ONDO maintained modest valuations despite their sector leadership.
Investor priorities shifted markedly from previous cycles, with infrastructure and sustainability trumping speculative gains. The 2025 bull cycle produced fewer 100X opportunities, reflecting maturing market dynamics where tokenization of traditional assets became a dominant theme.