ATME, a digital assets exchange licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), announced on Tuesday that it has successfully completed its first tokenized real-world asset (RWA) issuance, focusing on gold-backed tokens.
The tokens, available exclusively to accredited investors, each represent one kilogram of gold securely stored in custody, as detailed in the company’s press release. Investors have the flexibility to trade these digital assets on ATME’s secondary market or opt for redemption in physical gold. This innovative initiative aims to modernize the ownership of gold by removing storage and transportation concerns, while utilizing blockchain technology for enhanced efficiency and security.
For further insights, explore: Tokenization Allows More Efficient Collateral Transfers, Digital Asset, Euroclear and World Gold Council Found in Pilot Project.
“By combining the timeless value of gold with blockchain technology, we are unlocking new ways for investors to access and trade high-value assets,” said Alex Lola, CEO of ATME, in a statement. This highlights ATME’s commitment to innovation and its forward-thinking approach to asset management.
The exchange has ambitious plans to broaden its offerings to encompass additional asset classes, thereby further integrating blockchain technology into conventional financial systems.
ATME’s launch of gold-backed tokens aligns with a broader trend in financial markets, where real-world assets such as commodities, bonds, and funds are increasingly being digitized and traded on blockchain platforms—a process commonly referred to as tokenization. Recent data from rwa.xyz estimates that the market for tokenized gold is currently valued at approximately $1.2 billion, predominantly led by Paxos-issued PAXG and Tether’s XAUT tokens. Additionally, global bank HSBC also launched its own gold token in Hong Kong for retail investors last year, indicating a growing acceptance of this asset class.
Gold-backed tokens have witnessed a resurgence in activity of late, driven by record high gold prices, which have been influenced by a weakening dollar, escalating trade tensions, and geopolitical uncertainties.
