In 2026, the crypto industry is buzzing with various concepts flying around. But if you look closely, an invisible thread is emerging: Real World Assets (RWA) are searching for their true home. And some public chains focused on institutional services are already prepared to welcome them.

This is not just wishful thinking. The current situation makes it clear. While most public chains are still chasing meme coins or the next hot DeFi trend, some have chosen a completely different track—directly connecting with traditional financial institutions. Why does this choice seem so crucial this year?

First, the rules of the game are already set. Regulatory frameworks like the EU’s MiCA and MiFID II have come into effect, making the global regulatory landscape for crypto assets increasingly clear. This is no longer just theoretical discussion—institutional funds want to enter, but they must find compliant channels; otherwise, they can’t even get in. A chain that cannot meet regulatory requirements will naturally be phased out by institutional investors. Some public chains have integrated compliance into their code from the start, collaborating with institutions like the Dutch multi-asset trading platform NPEX, licensed stablecoin issuer Quantoz, and German DLT trading venue 21X. These collaborations are not marketing stunts but building a complete, legally recognized financial ecosystem. This first-mover advantage will be hard to replicate in 2026.

Second, RWA requires much more than simply "listing assets on the chain." It demands a comprehensive on-chain compliance infrastructure—clearing and settlement, risk management, audit traceability—a full set of financial-grade systems. Whoever can provide this will be able to capitalize on this wave of opportunity.